Below review – a killer snot-berg causes chaos for Josh Hartnett

The supernatural thriller 'Below,' a six-part series, plunges viewers into the fictional Newfoundland fishing community of Snook’s Arm, a locale seemingly cursed by an ancient, unknowable evil. This narrative, described as forged from "industrial-grade bunkum," aims to deliver "loads of daft fun" by embracing its own absurdity. The series is steeped in a distinct atmosphere, characterized by pervasive plaid shirts, the presence of sea hags, shifty conservationists, thick mist, motorbikes, curses, and a pronounced nostalgia for the 1970s through the 1990s. Further contributing to this unique milieu are elements like galoshes, relentless wind, and, perhaps most jarringly, the collected works of The Waterboys.

The story introduces Wade Penney, a twitchy young roustabout portrayed by Charlie Heaton. Wade, an ostensibly idiotic but ultimately prescient character, serves as an exposition provider for his credulous Airbnb guests, warning them with a combative accent, "I tells ye, these waters can be deadly." He highlights a history of seafaring tragedies that have plagued his community. The most significant of these occurred in 1986, a "splosh-based catastrophe" that saw his family’s cottage, along with his "disconcertingly muscular grand pappy," dragged underwater by inexplicable forces. Beyond this personal tragedy, the town grapples with the enduring economic fallout of decades of fishing bans and the ensuing economic uncertainty. This precarious existence is further threatened by a looming government-led resettlement program, designed to relocate residents and effectively erase the town's remaining hopes for survival.

The escalating troubles take a dramatic and visually striking turn with the sudden materialization of a colossal iceberg in the harbor. This "towering wodge of inexplicable CGI menace" is met with stunned disbelief by Calvin Penney, the ripped paterfamilias played by Josh Hartnett, who exclaims, "Jumpin’ Jesus... Will ye look at dat!" This unnatural phenomenon brings with it yet more peril for the "embattled sea hunks" of Snook’s Arm. The review suggests that viewers should "Abandon all hope, ye who enter Below. And jettison disbelief while ye be at it," underscoring the series' commitment to outlandish supernatural horror and dark humor. The visual presentation, thematic choices, and the central conflict of fishermen confronting extraordinary, almost Lovecraftian, circumstances form the core of this supernatural thriller, blending elements of horror, mystery, and a peculiar brand of dark comedy.