Netflix's Post-'Widow's Bay' Horror Success: New Series Takes Over the World

Netflix's new supernatural thriller series, "Below," created by Jesse McKeown, plunges viewers into a tightly-knit Newfoundland village forever altered by the arrival of a massive iceberg. This colossal ice formation brings with it a mysterious deep-sea threat, setting the stage for a suspenseful creature mystery that quickly evolves into a profoundly resonant narrative about grief, legacy, and community against an authentic backdrop.

The series centers on Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett), a Newfoundland fisherman who has been haunted for decades by the traumatic death of his father and his family's forced relocation from Little Pot Rock. Now a father himself, Cal strives to keep his family safe as he teams up with marine biologist Dr. Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) to investigate strange events occurring offshore. While the terror of what lurks underwater serves as an entry point, "Below" delves into broader themes, exploring generational strain, the climate crisis, and corporate exploitation through forced resettlement. The six-episode thriller effectively uses its dangerous entity as both a literal and psychological manifestation of the inability to let go, particularly for Calvin, whose past encounter with a giant creature is intrinsically linked to his impossible choice to save his mother and sister by severing the towline connecting them to their home and his father. With the creature's resurgence, Calvin recognizes the need to prevent this curse from passing to the next generation, especially his eldest son, Wade (Charlie Heaton), in Snook's Arm, raising questions about his own connection to the behemoth.

"Below" masterfully balances its profound themes with horror twists, primarily through atmospheric dread and an immersive sense of place. The show's most compelling moments arise from observing the terrified locals of Snook's Arm fight for survival while simultaneously striving to uphold their time-honored traditions and future possibilities. The series maintains a near-perfect sense of tension throughout, whether depicting the dangerous psychological and physical toll of the town's ice supply issues or a deep-diving submersible confronting the underwater menace.

A significant asset to "Below" is its profound authenticity, largely attributed to its genuine Newfoundland setting. Snook’s Arm feels like a real, tight-knit community because it is an actual place. Creator Jesse McKeown revealed that his personal visit to Newfoundland inspired the story, born from a deep love for the province's unique, rugged, dangerous, and isolated landscape, alongside its warm, funny, and eccentric community. The production team immersed itself in the local culture to capture Newfoundland's true essence, even supplementing the cast with real locals. This commitment to authenticity ensures that even the darkest moments are balanced with levity and heart, as exemplified by newcomers to Snook's Arm, like Calvin’s daughter Mary's (Ruby Stokes) boyfriend, Noah (Kaleb Horn), being required to "kiss the fish."

Starring Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, and former "Stranger Things" actor Charlie Heaton, "Below" has achieved notable critical and viewership success. The series currently holds a "Certified Fresh" score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus praising its effective use of classic creature feature tropes to deliver a thrilling experience within its limited runtime. It quickly became a top performer for Netflix, amassing 17 million views in its first week and easily securing the top spot in viewership reports. The show has been likened to other thematically weighty island horror narratives such as "Midnight Mass" and Apple TV's darkly humorous "Widow’s Bay," which itself received a shout-out from Stephen King, highlighting a continuing trend of creative inspiration from horror masters within the genre.