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Horror thriller

Great White (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Great White (2021) movie poster

Great White is a 2021 horror thriller directed by Martin Wilson, starring Katrina Bowden as Kaz, Aaron Jakubenko and Tim Kano. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $635,058 worldwide. Critics gave it 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10.

IMDb rating
4.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
44%
worldwide gross
$635.1K
Echo Score
40
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Great White (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Martin Wilson
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Great White About?

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

During a seaplane tour, five tourists find themselves stranded in the open ocean after an emergency landing. With limited supplies and rising panic, they struggle to survive the elements while facing a terrifying predator lurking beneath the waves. A great white shark begins stalking the group, turning their fight for survival into a desperate battle against a relentless and deadly threat.

Great White Themes & Keywords

· 37 tags
  • nightmare
  • bare chested male
  • shark attack
  • boat
  • shark
  • great white shark
  • seaplane
  • australia
  • pregnant woman
  • marriage proposal
  • island
  • desert island
+25 more
  • rescue attempt
  • rescue
  • sinking
  • dead body
  • shark victim
  • killer shark
  • blood
  • lost at sea
  • lifeboat
  • characters killed one by one
  • survival
  • flare
  • flare gun
  • sunken ship
  • shark feature
  • charter plane
  • reef
  • old photograph
  • cremains urn
  • discovering a dead body
  • stabbing a shark
  • underwater scene
  • spreading cremated ashes
  • sharksploitation
  • f word
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Cast & crew

Great White Cast & Characters

Katrina Bowden leads the cast as Kaz, with Aaron Jakubenko as Charlie and Tim Kano as Joji. Directed by Martin Wilson; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Great White

· 5 more
Ratings

Great White Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Great White 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in sensory experience (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

40 /100

Great White Echo Score Breakdown

The film functions as a conventional shark thriller that leans heavily on familiar survival tropes but fails to generate sustained tension. Critics and viewers note uneven pacing, generic plot beats, and unrealistically rendered sharks that diminish the intended fear factor. While a few underwater shots and occasional suspenseful moments succeed, the overall experience is hampered by bland characterizations and subpar visual effects, resulting in limited appeal beyond a single, modest viewing.

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

  • Art & Craft 48

    In terms of cinematography, the film offers a handful of well-composed underwater sequences that showcase the ocean’s depth, but the majority of shark visuals rely on low‑budget CGI that appears cheap and unrealistic. The scenery and occasional aerial shots receive praise for their natural beauty, yet the overall production design feels generic, and editing does little to build momentum, leading to a mixed visual impression.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    When evaluating performances, a few leads deliver nuanced moments—most notably the central relationship that feels authentic—but most of the ensemble is reduced to flat, stereotype‑driven portraits. Critics highlight the lack of character development and limited emotional stakes, noting that extended periods of aimless dialogue further dilute engagement. Consequently, the film’s character work ranges from occasional competence to pervasive blandness, undermining audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 42

    The narrative follows a familiar survival premise, positioning a group of strangers adrift while a shark stalks them. Reviewers criticize the plot for its predictable progression and sparse tension, citing repetitive set‑pieces that fail to evolve. Although brief sequences generate fleeting suspense, the overall story lacks originality and momentum, resulting in a routine affair that offers limited engagement beyond its basic premise.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Auditory and visual components deliver a mixed experience. The soundtrack remains understated, occasionally enhancing tension, yet many sound cues feel generic. Visually, the film contrasts striking natural locales with low‑quality CGI sharks that break immersion. While some underwater camera work is commendable for its fluidity, the overall sensory design suffers from inconsistent polish, preventing a cohesive atmospheric impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Given its reliance on familiar genre tropes and uneven execution, the film provides limited incentive for repeat viewings. Though occasional suspenseful moments and solid underwater visuals offer brief enjoyment, the predominant bland characterization, predictable plot, and subpar special effects diminish long‑term appeal. Consequently, the movie functions as a modest one‑time diversion rather than a repeatable favorite.

Plot

Great White Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Great White from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A couple of seaplane enthusiasts, Kaz Fellows and her partner Charlie Brody, set forth on an enchanting journey to the idyllic Hell’s Reef, accompanied by their passengers—Joji Minase, his wife Michelle, and their cook Benny. Their idyllic flight takes a dark turn when they stumble upon a lifeless body, a victim of a suspected shark attack. Though they promptly alert the coast guard, they are deeply unsettled to find a picture of the deceased man’s girlfriend on his phone.

Full summary

The whole story of Great White, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Great White Box Office

Great White grossed $635,058 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$635.1K

International
$635.1K
Videos

Great White Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Great White - Trailer
  • Trailer Great White - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Exclusive
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Great White?

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 picturesque location where the seaplane lands?

Cars

Cars in Great White

1 car on screen: the 2006 Chrysler 300 C.

  • 2006 Chrysler 300 C in Great White 2006 Chrysler 300 C Minor role
Details

Great White Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “ฉลามขาวเพชฌฆาต” and “Büyük Beyaz”.

Also known as
  • ฉลามขาวเพชฌฆาต
  • Büyük Beyaz
  • Tiburón blanco
  • В пасти океана
  • 大白鲨之夺命鲨口
  • У пащі океану
  • 더 그레이트 샤크
  • Tubarão Branco
  • Grande Tubarão Branco
  • Beyaz Köpekbalığı
  • Velika bijela psina
  • A nagy fehér
+11 more
  • Great White - Hol tief Luft.
  • Hung Thần Trắng
  • העמלץ הלבן
  • Бялата Акула
  • Ludojad
  • Gran tiburón blanco
  • 47 metri - Great White
  • 白色巨鯊
  • 變種鯊
  • グレート・ホワイト
  • Biely zabijak, დიდი თეთრი ზვიგენი

Seen Great White?

FAQ

Great White FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Great White, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Great White?

Great White runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Great White released?

Great White was released on July 16, 2021.

Who directed Great White?

Great White was directed by Martin Wilson.

Who is in the cast of Great White?

Great White stars Katrina Bowden as Kaz, Aaron Jakubenko as Charlie and Tim Kano as Joji, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Great White make at the box office?

Great White grossed $635,058 worldwide.

How is Great White rated?

Great White has 4.2/10 on IMDb, 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 52% on TMDB.

Does Great White have a post-credit scene?

No. Great White has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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