Above and Below (2026) Review: A Dive Trip Turns Into Survival

This above and below review starts with a simple question: can a lean sea thriller stay afloat on atmosphere and grit alone? Jesse V. Johnson, a director known for practical action, takes on a diving-trip nightmare that mixes crime with creature-feature tension. The results are uneven, but the film has enough bite to hold a certain audience.

Above and Below Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Above and Below plot is easy to explain. A group of friends heads out on a long-awaited diving vacation, with parties on deck and plenty of time beneath the surface. Then a group of criminals attacks their boat at sea, and the holiday becomes a fight to stay alive.

That setup gives the film two kinds of danger, one human and one natural. It is a tidy hook, and the movie moves quickly into trouble. I will stay clear of what happens next, because the fun here lies in watching the pressure build.

The film is an American-Spanish co-production and runs about 95 to 96 minutes, depending on the source. That brisk length suits the material. It is also a rare creature-flavored outing for Johnson, who is better known for hard-hitting action.

What Works in Above and Below

Johnson's steady, practical approach is the film's best asset. One critic noted that the shark moments are handed out when they are warranted and feel less like cheap digital gags and more grounded. That restraint keeps the threat from becoming a joke.

The film also knows what it is. Another reviewer called it sure of its own preposterousness, and a good-natured tone helps when the plot gets silly. If you want a pulpy night out, that self-awareness counts for a lot.

• A tight runtime with little padding

• A simple, clear premise

• Sea-based tension with a crime-thriller edge

Fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy in the action movie reviews we cover, and this one fits the lower-budget end of that shelf.

Above and Below Cast and Performances

The Above and Below cast is led by Laura Marano as Tatiana and Antonio Banderas as Burns. Banderas brings welcome screen presence to a film that needs it, and his scenes carry a bit more weight than the material strictly deserves. Marano gives the story a human anchor as events turn dark.

The supporting players include Christina Ochoa, Timothy V. Murphy, Louis Mandylor and Jess Liaudin. Their characters are not named in the sources I could confirm, so I will not guess at them. Genre regulars like these usually know how to sell menace and panic, and that is what the film asks of them.

You can see the full credits on IMDb-linked sources like the film's Wikipedia page.

Where Above and Below Stumbles

The script is the weak point. Bloody Disgusting noted that it teases the dangers of keeping secrets but does little with the idea. That is a fair complaint, since the best thrillers use their themes to sharpen the tension.

Other critics were harsher. Flickering Myth found it better than some recent low-budget shark films, yet still frustrating, nonsensical and at times boring. Reception has been mixed overall, with Rotten Tomatoes showing 46% positive from 13 reviews.

The crime half of the story also risks feeling generic. When the film shifts from the water to the people threatening the group, the energy can dip. A mystery or thriller approach might have given the plot more bite, and fans of those moods can browse our thriller movie reviews.

Is Above and Below Worth Watching?

It is worth watching if you want a modest, silly and quick sea thriller, but not if you expect something sharp or surprising. The film delivers a few effective moments and a game cast. It does not deliver a strong script.

The ratings tell the same story. An average critic score of 5.50 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes and about 4.5 out of 10 on IMDb suggest a divisive film that suits patient genre fans better than casual viewers.

The Above and Below release date in the United States was July 29, 2026, and Spain followed on digital on September 18, 2026. I cannot confirm where to stream it beyond a Prime Video listing, so check your local services. If you like crime-tinged action, see more in our crime movie reviews.

Who Will Enjoy Above and Below

• Fans of Jesse V. Johnson's practical action style

• Viewers who like low-budget shark and sea-survival thrillers

• Anyone curious to see Antonio Banderas in a pulpy genre role