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Crime thriller

Below Zero (2021): Cast, Ratings, Ending & Where to Watch

Below Zero (2021) movie poster

Below Zero is a 2021 crime thriller directed by Lluís Quílez, starring Àlex Monner as Chino, Javier Gutiérrez and Isak Férriz. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes. Its Echo Score is 66/100. Stream it on Netflix.

Below Zero (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Lluís Quílez
Genres
Thriller , Crime , Action
Original language
Spanish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Below Zero About?

The premise of Below Zero without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a prisoner transport, a sudden attack throws a police unit into chaos. The officer in charge must battle both the attackers and the prisoners while struggling against the harsh, freezing temperatures that threaten everyone's survival. Escape proves to be more perilous than anyone anticipated, and the fight for survival becomes a desperate race against the elements.

Below Zero Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • cold
  • police
  • strip search
  • nudity
  • male nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • all male cast
  • vengence
  • murder
  • ice
+38 more
  • prisoner
  • water
  • death
  • accidental death
  • f word
  • two word title
  • suspense
  • 2020s
  • world cinema
  • spain
  • neo noir
  • psychological thriller
  • profanity
  • machismo
  • no opening credits
  • no title at beginning
  • title at the end
  • prologue
  • hit with a shovel
  • shovel
  • buried alive
  • torture
  • interrogation
  • snow
  • gasoline
  • heavy rain
  • flat tire
  • tire iron
  • photograph
  • locker room
  • bare chested male
  • mustache
  • beard
  • tattoo
  • criminal
  • convict
  • person on fire
  • prison
Where to watch

Where to Watch Below Zero

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Below Zero Cast & Characters

Àlex Monner leads the cast as Chino, with Javier Gutiérrez as Martín and Isak Férriz as Montesinos. Directed by Lluís Quílez; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Below Zero

· 15 more
Ratings

Below Zero Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

66 /100

Below Zero Echo Score Breakdown

Below Zero delivers a competent, if not groundbreaking, thriller experience. The film maintains a propulsive pace and supplies several engaging action set‑pieces that keep viewers attentive. While technical execution and tension are generally effective, predictable plot elements and occasional logical inconsistencies dilute its impact. The mixed reception across reviewers reflects solid entertainment value tempered by uneven writing. Consequently, the movie sits in the upper‑mid range of comparable thrillers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and production design, Below Zero shows a solid command of its limited setting. Reviewers praised the effective mood, crisp editing, and well‑executed action choreography that sustain tension. Criticism centres on occasional uneven scene construction and clichéd visual choices. Overall, the craft is competent, delivering a clear visual language despite minor flaws.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character depth, the film presents a clear protagonist‑antagonist dynamic that some viewers found engaging. Performances are described as adequate, with the lead conveying a justice‑driven arc amid the crisis. However, several critiques note that acting is merely okay and that supporting characters lack nuance. The overall impression is of functional but unremarkable character work.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding plot and pacing, the movie delivers a fast‑moving premise that sustains suspense through most of its runtime. Reviewers appreciated the confined timeline and occasional twists, yet repeatedly cited predictable story beats, clichéd situations, and unresolved endings as weaknesses. The script’s simplicity hampers originality, resulting in a mixed narrative experience.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In the sensory domain, Below Zero succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere with effective sound design and a restrained visual palette suited to its night‑time setting. Critics note the limited locations enhance claustrophobia, while some lament a lack of memorable musical cues. Overall, the sensory elements support the thriller tone without standing out dramatically.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    The rewatch factor for Below Zero is modest; most reviewers consider it an entertaining single‑view experience rather than a film with lasting appeal. Action fans may return for the set‑pieces, yet predictable plot developments and unresolved threads limit repeat enjoyment. Consequently, its replay value remains limited but acceptable for genre enthusiasts.

Plot

Below Zero Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Below Zero from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Chino, Àlex Monner is the injured man pursued through a forest at night, a tense opening that hints at the brutal consequences to come. The story then centers on Martín Javier Gutiérrez, a police officer starting a night shift driving a prisoner transport, who teams up with Montesinos Isak Férriz. The pair’s job quickly curdles into something darker: Montesinos openly humiliates some of the prisoners during the transfer, but Martín steps in to shield the inmates from overt violence, setting up a moral clash you feel long after the scene ends.

Full summary

The whole story of Below Zero, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Below Zero Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Below Zero.

Below Zero | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Below Zero?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the main police officer protagonist driving the prisoner transport?

Details

Below Zero Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Bajo Cero” and “จุดเยือกเดือด”.

Also known as
  • Bajo Cero
  • จุดเยือกเดือด
  • Unter Null

Seen Below Zero?

FAQ

Below Zero FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, post-credit scenes and language of Below Zero, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Below Zero?

Below Zero runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Below Zero released?

Below Zero was released on January 29, 2021.

Who directed Below Zero?

Below Zero was directed by Lluís Quílez.

More films by Lluís Quílez

Who is in the cast of Below Zero?

Below Zero stars Àlex Monner as Chino, Javier Gutiérrez as Martín and Isak Férriz as Montesinos, among 19 credited actors.

Where can I watch Below Zero?

In the US, Below Zero is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

Does Below Zero have a post-credit scene?

No. Below Zero has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Below Zero in?

The original language of Below Zero is Spanish.

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