Is Netflix’s Below worth bingeing, or is it just another average streaming thriller? Early reactions suggest it lands somewhere between those extremes. The six-episode Newfoundland-set series has earned praise for its chilly atmosphere, Josh Hartnett’s grounded performance, and its environmental themes—but some critics say the story becomes crowded and loses focus in its second half.
The most useful way to judge the show is not to ask whether every viewer loves it. Instead, ask what kind of thriller it is trying to be—and whether its six episodes deliver on that promise. Below starts with a familiar creature-feature hook, then folds in family trauma, a community facing displacement, and climate anxiety. That ambition is part of its appeal, but also a source of its unevenness.
What are viewers and critics saying about Below?
Early reactions are mixed-positive rather than a clear consensus that the show is either a masterpiece or a waste of time. Rotten Tomatoes’ October 9 first-review roundup reported an 82% Tomatometer score at the time of publication and highlighted both the series’ tense setting and criticism of its pacing. That figure represents critics included in the roundup, not a measure of every viewer’s opinion, and scores can change as more reviews arrive.
In its review, TheWrap described Below as a flawed but entertaining binge-watch, praising the cast and sense of place while noting that the plot can become overcomplicated. The Guardian leaned into the show’s absurd, over-the-top monster premise, framing it as a deliberately ridiculous supernatural thriller. Meanwhile, Rotten Tomatoes’ review roundup shows the split in miniature: some critics find the atmospheric horror and performances effective, while others think the six-part structure stretches a story that might have worked better at feature length.
Why some people will binge all six episodes
1. The Newfoundland setting feels distinctive
The fictional fishing town of Snook’s Arm gives the show a strong visual identity. Wind-beaten docks, cramped homes, rough water, and a close-knit community make the danger feel connected to a particular place rather than a generic horror backdrop. Netflix says the limited series was filmed in Newfoundland, and its official Tudum guide introduces the cast and the show’s coastal setting.
2. Josh Hartnett gives the story an emotional center
Hartnett plays Calvin Penney, a fisherman trying to protect his family and preserve his community’s way of life. The character’s grief and stubborn loyalty give the monster plot a human anchor. In Netflix’s interview with Hartnett, the actor discusses researching Newfoundland and listening to stories from people who spend their lives at sea. That preparation helps explain why the series often feels most convincing when it focuses on local lives rather than adding another mystery.
3. The horror has something to say
Beyond the creature, Below explores climate change, pressure on the fishing industry, and the threat of powerful outsiders buying out a community. Those themes give the suspense a real-world edge. Viewers looking for horror that doubles as a story about family, economic uncertainty, and environmental change may find more to discuss here than in a straightforward monster chase.
Why other viewers may call it average Netflix filler
The main complaint is not that the show lacks ideas. It is that it has so many. Alongside the sea creature, the series introduces family tensions, corporate pressure, strange physical symptoms, a mysterious iceberg, and several personal subplots. When these threads reinforce each other, the town feels richly imagined. When they compete for attention, the central threat can lose momentum.
Pacing is another sticking point. The opening episodes build dread through unexplained events and the danger around the harbor. Later, the show shifts emphasis and asks viewers to care about several overlapping conflicts. Some will appreciate the change from pure creature horror to a broader drama; viewers expecting relentless scares may feel that the series changes its focus just as the mystery should be tightening.
That is why “Netflix filler” is an incomplete verdict. The series has a clear setting, a committed cast, and themes beyond its monster. But it may not satisfy viewers who want a tightly plotted, scare-first story with every subplot neatly resolved.
Is Below worth bingeing? Our verdict
Yes—if you enjoy atmospheric horror, small-town mysteries, and character drama. Maybe not—if you want nonstop scares and a streamlined plot. At six episodes, Below is short enough for a weekend watch, and its strongest scenes make the coastal setting feel genuinely unsettling. The trade-off is that the story sometimes tries to carry more plot than its runtime can comfortably support.
Our recommendation is to watch the first two episodes. If the town, the family dynamics, and the slow-building mystery have pulled you in by then, keep going. If you mainly want a fast-moving monster story, the shift toward community and environmental drama may not be what you came for.
Watch the official trailer before deciding
The official trailer gives a useful preview of the show’s mix of family drama, coastal mystery, and creature horror. Watch it below, then decide whether its tone matches what you want from a weekend binge.
Audience reaction: Frequently asked questions
Is Below worth watching on Netflix?
For viewers who enjoy atmospheric creature horror and character-focused stories, yes. Early reviews praise its setting and performances, though some criticize the busy plot and uneven pacing.
How many episodes does Below have?
Below is a six-episode limited series, according to Netflix’s official show information.
Is Below more horror or drama?
It begins with a supernatural sea-creature mystery but also develops into a family and community drama about displacement and environmental pressure. Viewers expecting constant jump scares may find the balance unexpected.
Where can I watch Below?
The series is streaming on Netflix’s official Below page.
Sources
- Rotten Tomatoes: Below First Reviews
- TheWrap: Below review
- The Guardian: Below review
- Netflix Tudum: Below cast, trailer, and plot
- Netflix Tudum: Josh Hartnett interview
By Shivam Das
