The streets of Paris have never been more dangerous. Xavier Gens, acclaimed for blending high-intensity action with deep thematic elements, offers a fresh and terrifying take on the ecological horror genre in his latest movie, “Under Paris.” Released on Netflix on June 5, 2024, and rated No 1, this film has quickly gained substantial attention for its unique plot and gripping execution.
Plot
The plot follows Sophia, a scientist played by Bérénice Bejo, who discovers that a massive shark has found its way into the Seine River. Alongside an eco-activist named Mika (Léa Léviant) and a river cop named Adil (Nassim Lyes), Sophia must navigate the chaos as the shark begins wreaking havoc on the city.
The film takes a sympathetic approach to the shark, portraying it not as a mindless predator but as a creature affected by human activities and climate change. The narrative explores themes of environmental degradation and human responsibility.
As the story progresses, Paris faces severe flooding due to the explosion of WWII-era bombs in the Seine, which releases stored water reserves into the city. The film culminates in a dramatic and dark ending, showing the city overrun by sharks, hinting at a potential global infestation.
Character Dynamics
The characters in “Under Paris” add depth to the narrative:
Sophia (Bérénice Bejo) is the heart of the story, a scientist torn between her passion for discovery and her duty to protect the city. She undergoes significant character development, facing physical and emotional challenges alongside loss as she deals with the shark crisis.
Mika (Léa Léviant) An eco-activist with a complex personality, passionate about her cause but often abrasive in her methods. Her character highlights the clash between youthful idealism and adult responsibilities.
Adil (Nassim Lyes) A river cop with a troubled past, which influences his strict and authoritative demeanor. His role adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative, especially in high-tension scenes.
Their interactions and individual arcs are pivotal, as they must overcome personal differences to tackle the unprecedented crisis.
Review
For somebody that is a die hard fan of horror movies, i would personally rate “Under Paris” a 5/10. Why?
Firstly, after the first “action” which took the life of Sophia’s crew, we had to wait for quite a while before something else happened. There was no horror-like tension, it was just plain, like a normal movie. There were different scenarios where I thought something would happen but it didn’t and i liked the suspense, yes! but then at the same time it was disappointing.
Secondly, the character Mika was a completely irresponsible person. She took stupid irrational actions, like an “Over-sabi” as we would call it and further went and endangered the lives of many. And i honestly asked myself while watching that scene where she convinced grown adults to team up with her to save the shark. A Predator! What were they thinking? How could they just casually put themselves out to be killed?
Before the shark attacked them, Sophia warned Mika, telling her to “get out of the water”, “lilith is dangerous” but she refused to listen and then her and many others died that night. That particular underground scene had me shouting at the top of my lungs… Stop running! Stop pushing each other! Stay at a place! Jesus!
Thirdly, at the concluding part of the movie where the Mayor vehemently refused to believe there were sharks in the waters and proceeded to carry on with her “Free Swimming Marathon”. She kept on saying it was safe and her irresponsible actions literally destroyed Paris. Sophia and her new team tried to stop the blood bath that was looming by creating bombs to kill the sharks but their plan failed. Producing an angry mother shark who attacked Sophia and her team, killing all but Sophia and Adil, then went on to attack the innocent swimmers.
Lilith moved with speed, anger and brutality. Attempts to kill her ended with Paris being flooded as the armies unknowingly hit long dormant explosives.
The end? Well, we could guess only Sophia and Adil survived the disaster as they were the only ones we saw but believe me, I’d rather be dead than alive because the final scene opens up more to show us that the whole of Paris has been colonized by Sharks. It was like the sharks had relocated. I wasn’t suprised though, because for a shark that could adapt easily, reproduce without a male, and grow with the speed of light, I knew it wouldn’t die so easily.
So there you have it… Under Paris has added to the list of horror movies where the villain wins.
Conclusion
“Under Paris” stands out in the 2024 cinematic landscape as a film that dares to blend horror with a potent ecological message. Xavier Gens has crafted a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying, making “Under Paris” a must-watch for fans of both genres. As the shark-infested waters of the Seine recede, the film leaves viewers contemplating the real-world implications of its story—a true testament to the power of cinema.
