Netflix’s new thriller series "Below" unfolds in a declining coastal community in Newfoundland, where the locals battle both economic hardship and a mysterious sea creature lurking beneath the waves. Centered on Josh Hartnett’s character Calvin Penney, an unemployed widower and fisherman, the six-episode show combines elements of a creature feature with climate change themes.

Set in a rugged town marked by uncertain futures, the series captures local tensions around a proposal for residents to accept relocation payments as their home faces increasing danger. The cast wears chunky sweaters and sports scruffy beards, embodying the weathered authenticity of a small fishing village. While the accents blend Irish inflections and regional nuances, the dialogue—featuring expressions like “Jesus friggin’ Murphy” and “what in the Jesus are you b’ys doin’ out here without a workin’ radio?”—helps evoke the community’s unique character.

Early in the series, a torn-off leg offers a grim warning about the threat beneath the water, while an iceberg drifting into the bay adds an ominous environmental element. Calvin, who views the iceberg as a potential source of income, soon confronts disturbing signs—such as a “stink” emanating from the ice and strange illnesses afflicting town members, including hallucinations of a sea hag. By the second episode, Calvin is warning residents to stay away from the water, evoking echoes of classic shark threat scenes.

Unlike typical creature horror fare focused on gore, "Below" incorporates urgent ecological concerns. The arrival of Mackenzie Davis as scientist Fonda Howander signals a broader narrative: the monster is less a standalone menace than a symptom of environmental disruption tied to climate change. The series interweaves this ecological subtext with family drama, showing Calvin’s interactions with his adult children, including his impulsive son Wade, played by Charlie Heaton, who references a local superstition known as the "Penney curse."

Though the series shares some surface similarities with other coastal thrillers, its blending of local folklore, environmental themes, and human strife sets it apart. While the plot may lose momentum toward the conclusion, the show maintains a consistent atmosphere, marked by its maritime setting and a soundtrack that includes the Waterboys’ “Fisherman’s Blues,” which frames much of the drama.

Overall, "Below" offers a mix of suspense and social commentary, presenting an eco-creature story grounded in community dynamics and the growing impacts of climate change on coastal life.