Netflix's upcoming six-episode miniseries, "Below," set to premiere on October 8, plunges viewers into the fictional Newfoundland village of Snooks Arm. This isolated community, struggling with the impacts of climate change and overfishing, faces an existential threat that predates the arrival of a new, unknown danger lurking in its waters. The series creator, Jesse McKeown, known for his work on "The Umbrella Academy" and "Letterkenny," draws parallels to "Jaws," but with a distinct Canadian and cosmic horror twist.
Echoes of Resettlement and Industry Collapse
"Below" opens by exploring a significant era in Canadian history: the forced resettlement of rural communities starting in the 1960s. Many residents of Newfoundland were moved from their homes to designated "growth centers," a process that sometimes involved physically relocating entire houses by boat. The series protagonist, Calvin Penney, played by Josh Hartnett, is depicted as a young boy in such a family, his childhood home being transported across the ocean. McKeown noted that this image of a house floating on the Atlantic is a familiar one for those who grew up in Newfoundland and that the resettlement program continues to affect remote communities.
The narrative also delves into the economic hardships that have plagued these coastal villages. Historically reliant on the cod fishing industry, communities like Snooks Arm were devastated in the 1990s by a cod moratorium due to overfishing. The series is set in the aftermath, with remaining villages struggling to survive.
Influences and Atmospheric Horror
McKeown cites a range of influences for "Below," including classic genre films like John Carpenter's "The Fog" and "The Thing," which he describes as "old-school handcrafted sort of genre movie[s]." The pervasive sense of dread and unknown terrors emerging from the ocean also evokes the works of H.P. Lovecraft, particularly his tales of seaborne horror like "Dagon." McKeown aimed to capture a "cosmic folklore feeling," emphasizing the mysterious and seemingly haunted atmosphere of Newfoundland.
Beyond the supernatural, "Below" also grounds its horror in personal drama. McKeown stated his intention to make the family dynamics as potent as the supernatural threats, aiming for an intimacy reminiscent of British kitchen-sink dramas. He described the goal as merging Lovecraftian cosmic horror with a Carpenter-esque thriller vibe and a working-class, intimate feel.
Practical Effects and Deep-Sea Folklore
In its initial episodes, "Below" adopts a deliberate "less is more" approach, focusing on the characters and the isolated setting of Snooks Arm, with the horror building subtly. McKeown emphasized the use of practical effects, with shooting conducted on location using real boats and employing prosthetics and traditional Hollywood techniques, augmented by CGI from Mr. X.
While the series' true monsters remain unseen by the end of the second episode, marine biology enthusiasts might anticipate the nature of the threat. The giant squid, a significant part of Newfoundland's folklore with numerous historical sightings along its coast, is hinted at as a key element. McKeown stated that incorporating such creatures is not far-fetched, given their deep ties to the region's history and mythology.
"Below" will be available on Netflix starting October 8.