Watch From Below on Altitude.film and other digital platforms from 7th Feb and on DVD from 21st Feb.
Synopsis
A couple on a romantic getaway find themselves stranded at sea. In order to survive they are forced to fight the elements and while sharks circle below a wife must try to save herself and her injured husband. Starring Alicia Silverstone (CLUELESS) & James Tupper (BIG LITTLE LIES).
Review
Writer-director Le Van Kiet made a name for himself with 2019 Vietnamese martial-arts movie Furie. That film showed that the typical damsel in distress was not always what she appears to be. That ethos is one that Van Kiet brought forwards with gusto for From Below, also known as The Requin.
The film hangs on every beat of Alicia Silverstone’s powerful performance as Jaelyn. There’s no denying that much of that power comes from the sheer volume of her voice. Silverstone screams, shouts and cries for much of the 89 minute runtime. But I defy any viewer not to be fully devoted to her journey by the time the credits roll.
From Below starts out with plenty of emotional gut punches, filling in the backstory as to how the couple – completed by James Tupper as husband Kyle – ended up in this sun-kissed paradise. It’s a strong place to start with the stark image of Jaelyn losing her child during a home-birthing gone wrong. It gives From Below a strong emotional core from which to build upon and it does so with fervour.
The film’s detractors will no doubt cry wolf over the film’s distinct lack of sharks. It takes over an hour for the poster-adorning creatures to even appear. Instead From Below is much more about the survival of these two characters, both from their loss and their harrowing situation. In that respect Van Kiet pulls enough punches and switches up the gender roles with impressive results.
Van Kiet’s script does a respectable job of setting up the emotional conflict between Jaelyn and Kyle. It was his idea to take the holiday, she is constantly glued to her phone despite the lack of signal. All the elements are there to round out the characters and make them feel human enough that when a huge storm strikes and sweeps their hut out to sea, we feel the tension begin to rise.
In its second and third acts From Below begins to rely more heavily on visual and practical effects. Whilst the practical are well realised, particularly the wounds inflicted by a shark bite, the CGI effects do leave a little to be desired. The film makes use of some great stock footage to establish the sharks prior to attack. It’s only when they attack that things are knocked somewhat off-kilter. But don’t let that deter you. Suspending all disbelief and following Jaelyn on the ride makes From Below a popcorn worthy watch.
Verdict
An emotionally fraught and sometimes often tense thriller. From Below is very shark-lite but makes up for it with a committed performance by Alicia Silverstone.
⭐⭐⭐
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