Under Paris soared to the top of the Netflix charts with 40.9 million views, beating out some English-language films. The film’s success is global, hitting no. 1 in various countries and showcasing widespread appeal.
Under Paris stands out due to the lack of current competition in the shark-based survival genre. The new Netflix survival movie, Under Paris, sails to the top of the Netflix charts for this week. A shark-based survival film, Under Paris, sees the titular city encountering an unexpected threat when a giant shark shows up in the Seine. A grieving scientist named Sophia is forced to confront the beast and save the Parisian citizens from meeting their bloody ends as the shark’s kill count rises.
An Unconventional Shark Thriller
Under Paris is an unconventional shark thriller that revitalizes the genre through effective storytelling and solid performances from its cast. Now, Under Paris has managed to make it to no. 1 on the Netflix Global Top 10 chart. It was the most-viewed film on Netflix for the week of June 3 to June 9, raking in 40.9 million views. This put it as the no. 1 non-English language film on Netflix, as well as the no. 1 film overall (by view count) when compared with the English language chart.
Casting Standouts
Berenice Bejo portrays Sophia in Under Paris. In a standout performance, she brings both depth and intensity to her role as a grieving scientist who must face a monstrous threat. Her character’s journey from grief to courage forms a compelling arc throughout the film.
The Film’s Global Success
Under Paris’ success extends beyond France or other French-speaking countries; it hit no. 1 across Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany, Kenya, Spain, Vietnam, Portugal, and Costa Rica. As Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos mentioned, the streamer’s algorithm will boost visibility of international titles that find success in one country because it suggests a likelihood of finding an audience elsewhere
. This strategy appears to have paid off handsomely for Under Paris.
A Balance of Humor and Horror
Critics have praised Under Paris for blending humor with horror effectively. However, not all reviews are glowing. While it holds a mixed score of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes from 23 critics’ reviews at the time of writing, some called out poor CGI and sloppy scripting.
A Lack of Competitors
The absence of significant competition likely contributed to Under Paris‘s meteoric rise. Shark-themed movies haven’t been released much recently – last year’s Meg 2: The Trench had its share of success despite negative reviews, whereas The Black Demon was a low-budget effort without much impact.
The Director’s Touch
Xavier Gens directed Under Paris, adding another intriguing layer by bringing his distinctive directorial approach from prior works like Mayhem! and Cold Skin. His ability to build tension amidst chaotic scenes significantly enhanced this shark thriller.
Under Paris (2024)
Beneath the bustling streets of Paris lies a hidden world filled with ancient secrets and dark mysteries. A group of daring urban explorers sets out to uncover the truth buried within the city’s catacombs, only to find themselves facing a series of terrifying challenges. As they unravel the enigmatic past of Paris, they must confront their deepest fears to survive.
Follow Us
