Beneath (2013 film)

Last updated
Beneath
Beneath film.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Larry Fessenden
Written by Tony Daniel
Brian D. Smith
Produced byLarry Fessenden
Peter Phok
Starring Daniel Zovatto
Bonnie Dennison
Chris Conroy
Jonny Orsini
Griffin Newman
Mackenzie Rosman
Mark Margolis
CinematographyGordon Arkenberg
Edited byLois J. Drabkin
Music byWill Bates
Production
companies
Distributed by Chiller
Shout! Factory
Release date
  • May 3, 2013 (2013-05-03)(Stanley Film Festival)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1 million

Beneath is a 2013 horror film directed by Larry Fessenden. The film had its world premiere at the Stanley Film Festival on May 3, 2013, and later aired on the Chiller channel. [1] Beneath stars Daniel Zovatto, Bonnie Dennison, and Chris Conroy as teenagers who must fight for their lives against a man-eating catfish.

Contents

A digital comic based upon the movie was released in July 2013. [2] The comic, also titled Beneath, explores the backstory behind the catfish and details another group that the giant fish attacked in the 1960s.

Plot

Six high school seniors head out to a secluded lake for a last day together. The group consists of Johnny, Kitty, her friend Deb, Zeke, Kitty's boyfriend Matt, and Simon, Matt's brother. While at the lake, Johnny meets up with Mr. Parks, a friend of his grandfather, who warns him to be careful while in the lake. Although Johnny assures him that he will show respect, he fails to convince the others as they cause disturbances while in the boat.

Eventually, they begin to feel an unknown object touching them underwater. They attempt to row back to shore but lose an oar in the water. As Deb reaches out to retrieve it, a giant fish bites her, causing her to bleed to death. The group frantically tries to row to shore with one oar but the giant fish bites and destroys their remaining oar. In desperation, they throw Deb's body overboard to distract the fish, but this fails, leaving the group stranded on the lake.

Kitty accuses Johnny of knowing about the fish because he tried earlier to give her a necklace for protection. After Zeke attempts to persuade the group to throw Johnny overboard, he jumps overboard and disappears with the fish following him. Hysterical and desperate, Zeke is thrown overboard by an enraged Matt after accusing Kitty of sleeping with both brothers. He is soon eaten alive by the fish with his GoPro recording the ordeal. Johnny, having made it to shore, sets off in a motor boat to rescue the group. He attempts to tie a rope to tow the boat to safety, but the fish bumps the boat causing it to spin with the rope tying around Johnny's neck. Kitty tries to cut the rope, but he dies.

Kitty, Matt and Simon throw Johnny's body into the water as a distraction, but surprisingly, the fish refuses to eat him. The trio argue about Zeke's earlier insinuations regarding Kitty, and Matt angrily throws her into the lake. Kitty is denied entry on the boat, and she swims off. In a fit of madness, the brothers fight, and both end up falling into the water. Simon suffers a head injury, leaving drops of blood that attracts the fish. Matt tries to help his brother, but is kicked by Simon into the fishes path and is eaten while Simon swims to shore.

Meanwhile, Kitty observes Johnny's body floating nearby as she sits on the overturned motorboat. She takes the necklace off him and the fish immediately attacks Johnny's corpse. Believing the necklace will protect her, Kitty manages to swim back to the shore. However, she is confronted by a psychotic Simon, who drowns her in the shallows despite her pleas.

As night descends, the bloodied Simon is met by Mr. Parks. Inquiring about Johnny, Simon replies that everyone is dead. Mr. Parks, stating how Johnny was always kind to him, demands that Simon go back in the lake. When Simon refuses, he is shocked to see Mr. Parks holding a gun as well as Zeke's GoPro and realizes that he knows what happened. He shoots at Simon several times until he goes back into the water. Simon tries to escape but is dragged underwater and devoured by the fish. Johnny's tooth necklace is seen washing ashore on the lake bed, covered with blood.

Cast

Production

Plans for Beneath were first officially announced in 2012, with Daniel Zovatto named as one of the film's lead roles. [3] Filming took place during an 18-day period and Fessenden designed the fish himself, as he wanted it to resemble "a real fish and not like an evil creature". [4] Fessenden experienced some difficulties shooting, as he and the other crew members only had small boats to shoot upon and that "any kind of company move took forever". [4] He also greatly revised the script, removing several flashback scenes, in an attempt to "keep the drama within the claustrophobic boat". [5]

Reception

Critical reception for Beneath was predominantly negative, [6] and Film School Rejects remarked that the movie was "what happens when indie directors have bills to pay". [7] Dread Central compared Beneath to the 2003 movie The Room , saying that "both are seemingly oblivious in their outright terribleness". [8] The Hollywood Reporter and RogerEbert.com gave more mixed reviews, [9] with The Hollywood Reporter commenting that the movie was "efficiently shot, edited and scored" but that "otherwise it’s another of those depressing examples of bad movies happening to interesting directors." [10]

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 35% based on 17 reviews, with an average rating of 4.9/10. [11] On Metacritic, the film has a rating of 40 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [12] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Random Harvest</i> (film) 1942 American film by Mervyn LeRoy

Random Harvest is a 1942 American romantic drama film based on the 1941 James Hilton novel of the same title, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Claudine West, George Froeschel, and Arthur Wimperis adapted the novel for the screen, and received an Academy Award nomination. The novel keeps the true identity of Paula/Margaret a secret until the very end, something that would have been impossible in a film, where characters’ faces must be seen. This meant that the movie had to take a very different approach to the story. The film stars Ronald Colman as a shellshocked, amnesiac World War I veteran, and Greer Garson as his love interest.

<i>What Lies Beneath</i> 2000 American film

What Lies Beneath is a 2000 American supernatural horror film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay written by Clark Gregg, based on a story by Sarah Kernochan and Gregg. It stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, with Diana Scarwid, Joe Morton, James Remar and Miranda Otto appearing in supporting roles. It was the first film released by Zemeckis' production company, ImageMovers. The original film score was composed by Alan Silvestri.

<i>Open Water</i> (film) 2003 American survival horror thriller film by Chris Kentis

Open Water is a 2003 American survival horror thriller film. The story concerns an American couple who go scuba diving while on vacation, only to find themselves stranded miles from shore in shark-filled waters when the crew of their boat accidentally leaves them behind.

<i>Purple Noon</i> 1960 film by René Clément

Purple Noon is a 1960 crime thriller film starring Alain Delon, alongside Marie Laforêt and Maurice Ronet; Romy Schneider, Delon's girlfriend at the time, makes a brief cameo appearance in the film. Directed by René Clément, the French/Italian international co-production is loosely based on the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. The majority of the film's dialogue is spoken in French, although there are brief sequences in Italian and English.

<i>At Long Last Love</i> 1975 film by Peter Bogdanovich

At Long Last Love is a 1975 American jukebox musical comedy film written, produced, and directed by Peter Bogdanovich, and featuring 18 songs with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. It stars Burt Reynolds, Cybill Shepherd, Madeline Kahn, and Duilio Del Prete as two couples who each switch partners during a party and attempt to make each other jealous. Bogdanovich was inspired to make a musical with Porter's songs after Shepherd gave him a book of them. All of the musical sequences were performed live by the cast, for At Long Last Love was meant by Bogdanovich to be a tribute to 1930s musical films like One Hour with You, The Love Parade, The Merry Widow and The Smiling Lieutenant in which the songs were shot in that way.

<i>Overboard</i> (1987 film) 1987 film by Garry Marshall

Overboard is a 1987 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, written by Leslie Dixon, starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, and produced by Roddy McDowall, who also co-stars alongside Edward Herrmann and Katherine Helmond. The film follows a demeaning, wealthy socialite who suffers from amnesia after falling from her yacht while vacationing on the Oregon coast, only to be taken in by a working-class carpenter whom she mistreated.

<i>Death on the Nile</i> (1978 film) 1978 film by John Guillermin

Death on the Nile is a 1978 British mystery film based on Agatha Christie's 1937 novel of the same name, directed by John Guillermin and adapted by Anthony Shaffer. The film features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, played by Peter Ustinov for the first time, plus an all-star supporting cast that includes Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Jane Birkin, David Niven, George Kennedy, and Jack Warden. The film is a follow-up to the 1974 film Murder on the Orient Express.

<i>Kitty Foyle</i> (film) 1940 film by Sam Wood

Kitty Foyle, subtitled The Natural History of a Woman, is a 1940 drama film starring Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan and James Craig, based on Christopher Morley's 1939 bestseller Kitty Foyle. Rogers won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character, and the dress she wore in the film became known as a Kitty Foyle dress.

<i>Sliver</i> (film) 1993 film by Phillip Noyce

Sliver is a 1993 American thriller film based on the Ira Levin novel of the same name about the mysterious occurrences in a privately owned New York high-rise sliver building. Phillip Noyce directed the film, from a screenplay by Joe Eszterhas. Because of a major battle with the MPAA, the filmmakers were forced to make extensive reshoots before release. These reshoots actually necessitated changing the killer's identity. The film stars Sharon Stone, William Baldwin, and Tom Berenger. When he signed on to direct the film, Noyce remarked, "I liked the script a lot. Or at least, I liked the idea of jumping on the Joe Eszterhas bandwagon."

<i>On Golden Pond</i> (1981 film) 1981 film by Mark Rydell

On Golden Pond is a 1981 family drama film directed by Mark Rydell from a screenplay written by Ernest Thompson, adapted from his 1979 play of the same name. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman and William Lanteau. In the film, Norman, a crusty, retired professor grappling with many effects of aging, is estranged from his daughter, Chelsea. At their summer home on Golden Pond, Norman and his wife Ethel agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea's new boyfriend, and an unexpected relationship blooms.

<i>To the Ends of the Earth</i> (1948 film) 1948 film by Robert Stevenson

To the Ends of the Earth is a 1948 American film noir thriller film directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Dick Powell, Signe Hasso and Ludwig Donath. It was released by Columbia Pictures.

<i>Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore</i> 2010 film by Brad Peyton

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is a 2010 spy comedy film directed by Brad Peyton in his directorial debut, produced by Andrew Lazar, Polly Johnsen, Greg Michael and Brent O'Connor and written by Ron J. Friedman and Steve Bencich based on the characters by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra. The film stars Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer with an ensemble voice cast of James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Katt Williams, Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Clarke Duncan, Wallace Shawn and Roger Moore. The film is a stand-alone sequel to the 2001 film Cats & Dogs, with more emphasis on its animal characters than the previous film, and was released on July 30, 2010, by Warner Bros. Pictures. It received mostly negative reviews from film critics and grossed $112.5 million on an $85 million budget.

<i>Piranha 3D</i> 2010 film by Alexandre Aja

Piranha 3D is a 2010 American 3D horror comedy film that serves as a remake of the comedy horror film Piranha (1978) and an entry in the Piranha film series. Directed by Alexandre Aja and written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, the film stars Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Jerry O'Connell, Ving Rhames, Jessica Szohr, Steven R. McQueen, Christopher Lloyd and Richard Dreyfuss. During spring break on Lake Victoria, a popular waterside resort, an underground tremor releases hundreds of prehistoric, carnivorous piranhas into the lake. Local cop Julie Forester must join forces with a band of unlikely strangers—though they are badly outnumbered—to destroy the ravenous creatures before everyone becomes fish food.

<i>The Inbetweeners Movie</i> 2011 film by Ben Palmer

The Inbetweeners Movie is a 2011 British coming-of-age teen adventure comedy film based on the E4 sitcom The Inbetweeners, written by series creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris and directed by Ben Palmer.

<i>Shark Night</i> 2011 American film

Shark Night is a 2011 American horror film directed by David R. Ellis and written by Will Hayes and Jesse Studenberg. It stars Sara Paxton, Chris Carmack, Katharine McPhee, Alyssa Diaz, Dustin Milligan, and Joel David Moore. The film, which was negatively received by critics and grossed $40 million worldwide, was released in Real D 3D and Digital 3D. This was Ellis's final film before his death.

<i>Enemies Closer</i> 2013 film

Enemies Closer is a 2013 American action thriller film directed by Peter Hyams and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tom Everett Scott, Orlando Jones and Linzey Cocker. In it, a former Navy SEAL is marked for death by the mourning brother of a comrade he left behind, only to have to team up with him when they both become targets of a deranged crime lord.

<i>Eye of the Beast</i> 2007 film by Gary Yates

Eye of the Beast is a Canadian monster movie about a young scientist who goes to a small fishing town to find out why fish are not plentiful and ends up in a fight against a giant squid living in Lake Winnipeg. It is the 6th film in the Maneater Series.

<i>Wall of Noise</i> 1963 American drama film directed by Richard Wilson

Wall of Noise is a 1963 American drama film directed by Richard Wilson, written by Joseph Landon, and starring Suzanne Pleshette, Ty Hardin, Dorothy Provine, Ralph Meeker, Simon Oakland and Jimmy Murphy. It was released by Warner Bros. on September 4, 1963.

Daniel Zovatto Blanco is a Costa Rican and American film and television actor. Since 2012, he has starred in films of the horror genre, Beneath (2013), It Follows (2014), and Don't Breathe (2016), as well as the romantic comedy Laggies (2014). Zovatto made his television debut in 2014, guest starring in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He has since held recurring roles as Gideon LeMarchal in Revenge (2014), and Jack in Fear the Walking Dead (2016). In 2018 he appeared in one of the lead roles in HBO's Here And Now, and a year later he was cast in Penny Dreadful: City of Angels as the series protagonist, which premiered in 2020.

<i>Overboard</i> (2018 film) 2018 film by Rob Greenberg

Overboard is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Rob Greenberg, who wrote the screenplay with Bob Fisher and Leslie Dixon. A characteristically-reversed remake of the original 1987 film, the film stars Eugenio Derbez, Anna Faris, Eva Longoria and John Hannah. It follows a struggling, working-class single mother who convinces a rich playboy with amnesia that they are married.

References

  1. ↑ "Larry Fessenden's "BENEATH" to World Premiere at Stanley Festival; First Pic". Fangoria. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ Truitt, Brian (July 7, 2013). "'Beneath' comic showcases the movie's Black Lake monster". USA Today. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Zovatto goes 'Beneath'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Director Larry Fessenden talks about his monster-fish movie 'Beneath' and its 'black humor'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  5. ↑ "How Larry Fessenden's Chiller-Produced Shocker 'Beneath' Wrestles With the Made-For-TV Formula". IndieWire. 4 May 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  6. ↑ Doro, Paul. "Review: Beneath". STYD. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Stanley Film Fest 2013 Review: 'Beneath' Is What Happens When Indie Directors Have Bills to Pay". FSR. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Review: Beneath (2013)". Dread Central. 4 May 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Review: Beneath". rogerebert.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  10. ↑ Rooney, David (July 11, 2013). "Beneath: Film Review". THR. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Beneath". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Beneath Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Bolt Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 7, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.