Fear Below is a 2025 Australian action-adventure horror film that combines post-war intrigue with aquatic terror. Directed by Matthew Holmes, the film is set in 1946 and follows a group of professional divers hired to retrieve a sunken van in a murky river.
What begins as a salvage operation turns into a nightmare when they are stalked by a territorial female bull shark. But the danger doesn’t end there — the divers are also working for a ruthless criminal gang with their own deadly agenda.
The film stars Hermione Corfield, Jake Ryan, Jacob Junior Nayinggul, and Clayton Watson, among others. Mixing tense underwater sequences with gritty action and period-set crime drama, Fear Below offers a suspenseful viewing experience.
Fear Below Age Rating
Fear Below is officially rated R for bloody violent content and language. This means it is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for children under 17 without parental supervision. Here’s a breakdown of the key content areas:
Violence
The film contains intense and bloody violence throughout. The bull shark attacks are visceral, with graphic injuries and death depicted on screen. Characters are mauled, dragged underwater, and left bloodied. Gunfights and physical confrontations with the criminal gang also feature prominently. Tension and peril are sustained, with life-or-death stakes in nearly every scene.
Language
Strong language is frequent. Characters use multiple expletives, including the f-word and other coarse terms, especially during moments of stress or conflict. The language aligns with the gritty, dangerous atmosphere of the post-war setting.
Sexual Content
There is no explicit sexual content or nudity shown, though the mature tone may include innuendo or references. The focus remains on violence and survival rather than romance or intimacy.
Mature Themes
The film explores morally complex themes such as greed, desperation, betrayal, and the psychological toll of violence. The setting — post-WWII Australia — adds to the grim tone, as characters wrestle with trauma, criminal motives, and life-threatening danger from both man and nature.
Is Fear Below Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The graphic violence, intense shark attacks, and dark crime elements make this film far too mature for younger audiences.
Ages 13–17: Not recommended. Although older teens might be drawn to the action and horror elements, the bloody violence, harsh language, and adult themes push the film firmly into adult territory.
Fear Below is best suited for adult viewers or mature horror fans aged 18 and above who can handle the film’s intense and often disturbing content.
What Parents Can Do
View the Trailer First: Watch the trailer to get a feel for the tone, intensity, and realism of the shark attacks and action sequences.
Discuss Historical and Moral Themes: If older teens are watching, parents can use the film’s historical backdrop to discuss post-war desperation, criminal motivations, and survival ethics.
Monitor Emotional Sensitivity: The scenes of violent death and predatory threat may be especially distressing for viewers with sensitivities to gore or animal attacks.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Fear Below?
A: The film is rated R for bloody violent content and language.
Q: Does Fear Below have shark attack scenes?
A: Yes, multiple intense and bloody shark attacks are central to the film’s horror elements.
Q: Is there nudity or sex in Fear Below?
A: No explicit sexual content or nudity is shown.
Q: Is it appropriate for teens?
A: No, it is not recommended for viewers under 17 due to graphic violence, strong language, and mature themes.
Q: When and where can I watch Fear Below?
A: The film is expected to be released in 2025. Streaming and distribution details will be announced closer to the premiere.