Movie Overview

• Title: Beneath (2013)

• Release Date: World premiere at the Stanley Film Festival on May 3, 2013; later aired on Chiller channel

• Genre: Horror–Thriller, creature feature

• Director: Larry Fessenden; Writers: Tony Daniel, Brian D. Smith; Cinematographer: Gordon Arkenberg; Music: Will Bates

• Main Cast: Daniel Zovatto (Johnny), Bonnie Dennison (Kitty), Chris Conroy (Matt), Jonny Orsini (Simon), Griffin Newman (Zeke), Mackenzie Rosman (Deb), Mark Margolis (Mr. Parks)

• Where to Watch: Typically available via On-Demand platforms like Amazon, Apple TV, Plex, and Shout! Factory’s Amazon channel

1. Plot Summary

Six high school seniors—Johnny, Kitty, Deb, Zeke, Matt, and Simon—head to a remote lake for a graduation celebration. Despite warnings from Mr. Parks (an acquaintance of Johnny’s grandfather), they disturb the water and soon encounter a massive, man-eating catfish. Stranded without oars, with the shore tantalizingly close yet out of reach, the teens must decide who to sacrifice to the creature so the rest can survive . As the group unravels under pressure, alliances fracture, and desperation sets in—revealing that sometimes the scariest monstrosity lies within us .

2. Notable Elements

• Creature Effects: The massive catfish is primarily portrayed through animatronics and practical puppetry—not CGI—giving it an unsettling, tangible presence in key scenes

• Social Experiment Dynamics: The story unfolds almost like a morality play, forcing viewers to confront how quickly individuals dissolve into self-preservation amid crisis

• Tone and Atmosphere: Fessenden’s direction leans into claustrophobic dread and psychological tension—though sometimes the horror is found more in human conflict than monster attacks .

• Character Appeal (or lack thereof): The characters are intentionally unlikable—amplifying audience discomfort and tension as their moral compass erodes

3. Themes and Messages

• Survival vs. Sacrifice: The central dilemma—choosing someone to throw to the monster—examines how far people will go to prioritize their own lives.

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• Human Weakness as Horror: The film implies that humanity’s darkest impulses can become far more terrifying than any external threat .

• Ambiguity & Distrust: The film stirs doubt—are the threats real, or are characters projecting their inner fears? That murky tension persists through to the end .

4. Personal Impressions

Strengths:

• The creature is physically present and unsettling, a refreshing departure from CGI-heavy horror

• Tension builds not just from the environment but from the characters’ deteriorating group dynamic—eerily believable and discomforting

Weaknesses:

• Many viewers find the teens irredeemably unlikable, making empathy—and thus engagement—challenging

• Some dialogue and character decisions feel contrived or illogical, reducing emotional impact

• Overall reception leans negative: Rotten Tomatoes at ~35%, Metacritic ~40/100—viewers call it “effective but forgettable”

5. Audience Recommendations

Who might enjoy Beneath:

• Fans of indie horror that lean into atmosphere, tension, and moral decay rather than gory spectacle.

• Viewers intrigued by psychological character studies under pressure—grim but immersive.

Who might not:

• Viewers who seek likable protagonists or clear-cut moral stories—or prefer traditional creature features—may find this one frustrating or joyless.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Beneath is a gritty psychological thriller disguised as a creature horror—a stark, claustrophobic test of human nature rather than a feast of monster mayhem. While the practical creature effects and emotional stakes give it merit, its unlikable characters and uneven storytelling limit its impact.

Final Recommendation: Watch if you’re in the mood for a dark, reflective horror flick—just don’t expect heady thrills or heroic arcs.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)