Steven Spielberg ushered in the era of the summer blockbuster and made us afraid to go into the water whenJawshit theaters in 1975.Under Paris, now streaming onNetflix, has opened up the doors to the potential of a new shark film universe for a new generation of viewers. The ocean, like space, is a vast abyss of uncharted realms with endless possibilities for world-building, andUnder Parishas the capability to establish a new cinematic universe.
Under Paris, while containing many elements fromJaws, develops several new ideas. Facets such as social commentary about climate change and activism, as well as a location that defies typical expectations, are all things that makeUnder Parissuch a unique experience. Cinephiles will recognize the traits that first appeared on the screen in 1975. Fans of action horror will revel in the carnage and violence. Viewers who enjoy subversion and social commentary will be impressed with howUnder Parismanages to weave all of these aspects together in a cohesive narrative.
A Familiar Story in a New Location
Under Parisis not the first film to utilize elements fromJaws, as manyhave depicted a monstrosity posing a threat to the living, an expert whose knowledge is necessary to find a solution, and a mayor whose concern about an upcoming event takes precedence over the need to protect the population from foreseeable danger. FromCruel Jaws, itself a knockoff of Spielberg’s film, toReturn of the Evil Dead, the second installment of Amando de Ossorio’s “Blind Dead” series, seeing this story retold is nothing new. The challenge lies in building on preexisting ideas.
Sophia, the main protagonist ofUnder Paris, is unique in that she embodies many of the traits present in Matt Hooper fromJaws, the intelligent shark expert tasked with using intellect to find a solution. Sophie is headstrong yet knows how to handle herself in a crisis, something that fans ofJawswould recognize from Martin Brody. The character dynamic of Sophia is well-executed in that she’s a combination of twomemorable characters from Spielberg’s film.
UnderParisbreaks from a typical trope that’s existed in many shark movies, and that’s because of the unique choice of location. Rather than a beach or waterfront,Under Parisconcerns a shark residing in the Seine River, posing a potential threat to an upcoming triathlon.Under Parismakes full use of its location, with the city of light and the catacombs beneath Paris that serve as a breeding ground for danger.
The earth’s ocean, as vast as it is and with so many major cities being close to water, opens up many possibilities for future installments. From the waterlogged city of Venice to the docks of New York City, there are several locations where a shark attack could occur and threaten the human population, particularly if the series becomes anthology-based, with each entry taking place in a new location and another set of characters dealing with a different breed of shark native to the area.
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Social Commentary Among Chaos
Under Paris
To save Paris from a bloodbath, a grieving scientist is forced to face her tragic past when a giant shark appears in the Seine.
Horror is a vehicle for subversion and social commentary, andUnder Parisbrings attention to relevant issues. Focusing on social topics separatesUnder Parisfrom the typical killer shark movie that many audiences are used to.Under Paristhrives on a familiar plot but draws attention to climate change and the continuing threat to the planet from pollution.
Modern audiences are familiar with the continuing effort to sustain the planet’s longevity, makingUnder Parismore relatable than the average killer shark fair. The continuous need for humanity to dominate nature and the cause of its downfall is at the heart ofUnder Paris. A subplot illustrating activism by the younger generation in response to the apathy of those who came before depicts the change in attitude towards the preservation of the environment.
Lilith, the name of the shark inUnder Paris, is a product of the destruction brought on by humanity. Lilith is the force of retribution in response to the way the earth has been treated and is a far cry from being a mindless killing machine. The inclusion of a justifiable villain inUnder Parislends to the potential for more installments, considering the debate over other topics relating to climate change and conservation. IfGeorge Romero could utilize the zombieto comment on the rise of consumerism inDawn of the Dead, then there’s a potential for future sequels ofUnder Paristo highlight the necessity for change in how we treat the environment.
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Animals Attack Movies on the Rise
With the success of theSharknadofranchise, the killer shark movie is reaching a brand-new audience. Films such asCocaine BearandZombeavershave revitalized the nature-themed horror craze inGrizzly,Slugs, andDay of the Animalsfor a new generation. There’s something tribal about a film where the main threat is an animal, as it can’t be reasoned with and responds to its primitive instincts. The aspect of predator and prey and Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” permeate throughoutUnder Paris.
By taking the typical formula that’s dominated the killer shark film for the past several years and doing something new and exciting, audiences have a chance to revel in a new form of aquatic horror. The ocean is vast, and so are the possibilities for a new franchise that can revitalize old ideas withUnder Paris.
