‘Below’ Wins Over Critics, but Netflix Viewers Aren’t Quite as Hooked on Josh Hartnett’s Sea Monster Thriller

Josh Hartnett is having quite the fall. The actor has been riding a wave of attention thanks to ‘Verity’, the Colleen Hoover adaptation that critics panned but audiences embraced, and he has also appeared in recent hits such as ‘The Bear’ and ‘Oppenheimer’.

His latest project takes him to the coast of Newfoundland. ‘Below’, a Canadian supernatural thriller created by Jesse McKeown, arrived on Netflix on October 8 with all 6 episodes, starring Hartnett as a fisherman who teams up with a marine biologist, played by Mackenzie Davis, to protect their community from something lurking in the deep.

Now that viewers and critics have had a chance to dive in, an interesting split has emerged. On Rotten Tomatoes, ‘Below’ holds a healthy 81% average Tomatometer score, while its average Popcornmeter score sits noticeably lower at 60%.

The series launched on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect score from its first handful of reviews before settling in the low 80s. Metacritic gave it 69 out of 100 from 16 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Variety was among the most enthusiastic, calling ‘Below’ a gripping and exhilarating ride that blends horror, suspense, and climate-crisis themes. The review singled out Episode 4, titled “The Ocean Will Have Us All”, as especially riveting.

RogerEbert.com praised how the series explores rural communities threatened by tech companies and billionaires, suggesting it could be one of the year’s best shows. The A.V. Club also enjoyed its character-driven approach, noting the short run largely avoids the sag common in streaming dramas.

If critics agree on anything, it is Hartnett’s performance. Ready Steady Cut called it perhaps the most mature leading-man work of his career, while Digital Spy praised his charmingly ragged turn.

First trailer for ‘BELOW’, a new thriller series starring Josh Hartnett and Charlie Heaton. The series follows a fisherman who must protect his community when a sea monster terrorizes their remote town. Releasing October 8 on Netflix. https://t.co/WFcorbMg5m

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 28, 2026

Not everything about his performance escaped teasing, however. Variety playfully poked fun at the Minnesota-born actor’s attempt at a Newfoundland accent, even while praising the show overall.

The setting has also won fans. The Verge highlighted the series’ surprising authenticity and humor, noting that viewers familiar with Canada’s East Coast will feel right at home. Some critics were more cautious about the show’s compact structure. Collider gave it 7 out of 10, arguing it works best while the central threat remains a mystery but leaves some characters underdeveloped.

Several reviewers also felt the story loses steam toward the end. LeisureByte suggested the monster story felt pieced together, while others noted the series struggles to balance its many themes.

That criticism may explain the gap with audiences. Slow-burn horror often wins over critics who appreciate atmosphere and craft, while viewers expecting a fast-paced creature feature can be less patient.

Online reactions reflect that mixed mood. Some viewers enjoyed the creepy atmosphere and cast but felt the story faded in its final stretch, describing it as a decent weekend binge rather than a standout.

With episodes running between 37 and 47 minutes, ‘Below’ is designed for quick viewing. Charlie Heaton, Ruby Stokes, Kaleb Horn, Rohan Campbell and Willow Kean round out the cast, with music by Mark Korven.

Critics have compared it to a tightly crafted riff on ‘Jaws’, making it a fitting choice for October. Whether it becomes a lasting hit may depend on how word of mouth develops among Netflix subscribers.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!