The Shallows

Name: The Shallows
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror
Released: June 24, 2016
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 59

2016

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 301 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 301 Ratings

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The Shallows

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: June 24, 2016 | PG-13

Summary: Nancy (Blake Lively) is surfing alone on a secluded beach when she is attacked by a great white shark and stranded just a short distance from shore. Though she is only 200 yards from her survival, getting there proves the ultimate contest of wills.

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Horror

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 86 min

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Critic Reviews

The Film Stage Brian Roan

Jun 23, 2016

After a summer glutted with films pushing punishing, redundant set pieces on grand scales, we finally have a film that is patient, atmospheric, and that delights in delivering escalating thrills of a smaller but more valuable variety. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Jun 24, 2016

Add to the list of actors who, beautifully and boldly, go it alone in their own survival movies the name Blake Lively. Do it without laughing, because she’s the shark here: Even though The Shallows, a tremendously entertaining bit of fluff, pits her against a computer-generated great white, the poor creature never stands a chance. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Jun 23, 2016

Lively is superb here, giving one of those hyper-focused, action-lead performances that's as much an athletic feat as an aesthetic one. Read full review

Peter Travers

Jun 23, 2016

While this nailbiter sure as hell ain't swimming in the same classic waters as "Jaws," it gets the jolting job done. Read full review

Empire Nick de Semlyen

Aug 15, 2016

It’s an energetic survival thriller and terrific showcase for Lively’s chops, but iffy plotting and a sloppy climax detract from the terror. Read full review

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

Jun 23, 2016

A fitfully entertaining mix of offscreen gore and Maxim-esque T&A. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Jun 23, 2016

Shallow is a mild word for it. Others would be silly, miscalculated, unconvincing, artless, pandering, hokey, ridiculous. Or just plain awful. Read full review

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User Reviews

calebowensmall

Jun 25, 2016

This movie was just overall great. Out of all the great white shark movies that have been released since jaws, this is the first to actually be good, and SCARY. The acting was great, Blake Livley is an amazing actress, and I see very good things for her in the future. And FINALLY, A SHARKThis movie was just overall great. Out of all the great white shark movies that have been released since jaws, this is the first to actually be good, and SCARY. The acting was great, Blake Livley is an amazing actress, and I see very good things for her in the future. And FINALLY, A SHARK THAT LOOKS COMPLETELY REAL!! It's about time. This is a must see for the summer, and I look forward to owning The Shallows on DVD.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

cxc

Jun 26, 2016

I really enjoyed this movie! Blake Lively gave an awesome performance and was very convincing throughout the movie. The shark for the most part actually looked pretty real. It was tense and the finale was very exciting to watch. Yes there is some unbelievable actions by the shark, such asI really enjoyed this movie! Blake Lively gave an awesome performance and was very convincing throughout the movie. The shark for the most part actually looked pretty real. It was tense and the finale was very exciting to watch. Yes there is some unbelievable actions by the shark, such as continually going after Blake's character, but it was still a very enjoyable film.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

cashtill

Jul 6, 2016

Jaws had such a profound impact on me as a kid, both positive and negative. So, naturally I was really drawn to another great Shark Tale. (no, not the Will Smith kind... God no!) Spielberg's Jaws terrified me in a way that kept me away from most large bodies of water for years. I wasJaws had such a profound impact on me as a kid, both positive and negative. So, naturally I was really drawn to another great Shark Tale. (no, not the Will Smith kind... God no!) Spielberg's Jaws terrified me in a way that kept me away from most large bodies of water for years. I was always drawn to another "big animal" film that could give me the same "feels". The Shallows trailer painted a picture that leaned in that general direction. Unfortunately, after seeing the actual film... it scratched the itch, but didn't leave me with that "Ahhh... that's-what-I-was-looking-for-"- feeling. The film was definitely frightening at times, leaving me squirming in my seat for the duration of the slow-burn. It was a film made in 2016 so I expected a lot of CGI... The shark looked good, not great. Blake Lively's face overtop of an actual surfer's face, not great and I expected a lot of unrealistic motives of the shark species. This shark was tenacious! The great white could be seen biting through metal, fire, and surf boards as if that was it's morning ritual. I feel the movie could have been much more terrifying if the kept the "realistic" tone to it. Several unnecessary elements plagued this movie to keep me from truly being engaged. I was able to look past the quick-character-development tropes and see the film for what it was, happily, until the last 15 minutes. The last 15 minutes promptly took me out of their world and back into mine. That is not where I wanted to be.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MD5774

Jul 24, 2016

This movie was a surprise. For a suspenful type survival movie it delivers . If a person likes over the top crazy action in a shark movie , this movie is not for you .

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

sjwilkin

Sep 23, 2016

Beautifully shot on a modest budget with 'one actor' in one location for the whole movie. It isn't quite Jaws but it certainly isn't Jaws 4 - it achieves a really good sense of isolation and immediate danger despite being only metres from safety. The shark does enter 'monster' territory butBeautifully shot on a modest budget with 'one actor' in one location for the whole movie. It isn't quite Jaws but it certainly isn't Jaws 4 - it achieves a really good sense of isolation and immediate danger despite being only metres from safety. The shark does enter 'monster' territory but the CGI does remarkably well in convincing you it could be a reality. It is a short, tense, action packed thriller which is worth anybodies time - all 87 minutes of it. Also contains a seagull.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BlackFox81

Jul 15, 2016

a big dead whale to eat or spend energy/time chasing after mexicans and one blonde babe with family issues to kill.... guess the shark was in the mood for mexican and side of blonde. besides that the movie reminded me of a similar movie THE Reef which is basically the same story but insteada big dead whale to eat or spend energy/time chasing after mexicans and one blonde babe with family issues to kill.... guess the shark was in the mood for mexican and side of blonde. besides that the movie reminded me of a similar movie THE Reef which is basically the same story but instead of surfers and mexicans you have a boat and Australians.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

imthenoob

Sep 15, 2016

Starts very slow and takes about 20 minutes of the hour and a half run time to get into her life threatening situation. She then spends a majority of the film either sleeping on the rock she is stuck on or tending to her wounds. It's not until the last 20-30 minutes of so anything reallyStarts very slow and takes about 20 minutes of the hour and a half run time to get into her life threatening situation. She then spends a majority of the film either sleeping on the rock she is stuck on or tending to her wounds. It's not until the last 20-30 minutes of so anything really happens and she actually tries to escape.

I give props to Lively for giving a solid performance but honestly, There is nothing original or good about this movie. It's not suspenseful enough, Not enough thrills to make you want to keep watching or be entertained. Instead we pumped with needless backstory and a majority of stuff being shown off screen to save on the budget.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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54	#54 Most Discussed Movie of 2016
34	#34 Most Shared Movie of 2016