Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

Underwater (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Underwater (2020) movie poster

Underwater is a 2020 action thriller directed by William Eubank, starring Kristen Stewart as Norah Price, Mamoudou Athie and T.J. Miller. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $40.9 million worldwide on a $80 million budget. Critics gave it 48% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
48%
worldwide gross
$40.9M
Echo Score
53
Loading streaming availability…
Underwater (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
William Eubank
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery
Original language
English
Budget
$80M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Underwater About?

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

When a catastrophic event triggers the implosion of an underwater drilling station, a small group of survivors fights for survival. They must journey across the dangerous and immense ocean floor to escape, facing immense pressure and treacherous conditions. Their escape is further threatened by unseen creatures lurking in the deep, dark waters, creating a terrifying fight for survival against both the environment and an unknown menace.

Underwater Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sea monster
  • lovecraftian
  • ocean floor
  • group of survivors
  • aquatic humanoid
  • gargantuan monster
  • giant monster
  • cthulhu
  • research facility
  • woman in jeopardy
  • comic relief
  • self sacrifice
+38 more
  • tomboy
  • deep sea drilling
  • trapped underwater
  • environmentalist subtext
  • toy
  • girl swallowed whole by monster
  • monster spawn
  • deep water pressure
  • humanoid monster
  • dark setting
  • reference to slenderman
  • tentacle
  • underwater facility
  • sea adventure
  • female researcher
  • final girl
  • female protagonist
  • seabed
  • creature feature
  • mechanical engineer
  • anime fan
  • blood burst
  • claustrophobic setting
  • earthquake
  • man eating creature
  • corporate cover up
  • spider
  • female mechanic
  • sea creature
  • marine biologist
  • deep sea diving
  • escape pod
  • taking someone down with oneself
  • personal tragedy
  • coworker coworker relationship
  • atmospheric diving suit
  • deepwater research facility
  • deepwater drilling facility
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Underwater Cast & Characters

Kristen Stewart leads the cast as Norah Price, with Mamoudou Athie as Rodrigo Nagenda and T.J. Miller as Paul Abel. Directed by William Eubank; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Underwater

· 5 more
From the director

More from William Eubank

More films directed by William Eubank, best-rated first: The Signal, Land of Bad and Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.

Full filmography
Ratings

Underwater Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Underwater 48% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

53 /100

Underwater Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall experience, Underwater balances a tense atmosphere against persistent clarity issues. Critics frequently cite murky visuals and uneven direction that weaken narrative focus, while users often note the immersive setting and Kristen Stewart’s committed turn. The film’s pacing divides opinion, with some praising its relentless momentum and others finding it opaque. As a result, Underwater delivers a mixed but occasionally engaging viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of cinematography and direction, Underwater struggles with muddy imagery and unfocused stylistic choices. Critics complain of visuals that appear grainy or washed out, while users appreciate the set and suit designs that evoke a purposeful industrial feel. The inconsistent editing and muted color palette undercut the film’s intended visual impact and cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    Its character work offers modest depth anchored by a forceful lead performance. Kristen Stewart’s portrayal earns praise for conveying determination through subtle expressions, and some users note a memorable supporting ensemble. However, limited backstory and minimal emotional arcs leave most secondary figures underdeveloped. Overall, the film’s character dynamics provide occasional resonance amid uneven psychological engagement.

  • Story & Flow 45

    When it comes to plot and pacing, Underwater frequently falters under an unfocused narrative structure. Critics highlight incoherent action sequences and reliance on familiar genre tropes, while users describe predictability and abrupt transitions. Occasionally, a mid-film twist injects fresh energy, but the overarching story lacks the suspense or originality needed to sustain full engagement. The result is an uneven flow that limits dramatic impact.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sound and visual style, Underwater cultivates a damp, oppressive atmosphere that many find immersive. Users praise the soundtrack’s weighting bass and crisp effects, and critics note striking suit and set craftsmanship. Despite occasional overuse of low-frequency drones, the film’s cohesive sound design and visual mood largely succeed in sustaining tension throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When it comes to rewatch value, Underwater offers sporadic appeal for genre enthusiasts but limited lasting allure. The initial tension and occasional twists entice a revisit, yet narrative opacity and uneven character arcs diminish subsequent enjoyment. While some users report fun rediscovery of atmospheric details, most viewers find the film’s strengths insufficient to justify frequent repeat viewings due to its uneven coherence.

Plot

Underwater Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Underwater from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 2050, the Kepler 822, a state-of-the-art research and drilling facility run by Tian Industries, is suddenly rocked by what appears to be a violent earthquake. As the facility suffers significant damage, Norah Price (Kristen Stewart), a mechanical engineer, along with her colleagues Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie) and Paul (T.J. Miller), hastily make their way to the escape pod bay in a desperate bid for survival.

Situated at a staggering depth of 36,000 feet, with a crushing pressure equivalent to 8 tons per square inch, the facility is plagued with ominous reports of strange sightings and unexplained occurrences that the Tian company has conveniently brushed aside. These include mysterious explosions and bizarre figures lurking in the dark depths.

Full summary

The whole story of Underwater, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Underwater Box Office & Budget

Underwater grossed $40.9 million worldwide on a $80 million budget, 51% of what it cost. $17.3 million came from the US and Canada and $23.6 million (58%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$40.9M

51% of its budget back

US & Canada
$17.3M
International
$23.6M
Budget
$80M
US & Canada 42% Rest of the world 58%
Videos

Underwater Trailers & Videos

14 videos: 1 trailer, 10 teasers, 2 clips and 1 featurette.

All 14 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser "Awakened" TV Spot
  • Teaser "Walls Closing In" TV Spot
  • Teaser "Deep Dive" TV Spot
  • Teaser Happy Holidays!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Underwater?

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 year is the movie 'Underwater' set in?

Details

Underwater Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Kẻ Săn Mồi Biển Sâu” and “Amenaza en lo profundo”.

Also known as
  • Kẻ Săn Mồi Biển Sâu
  • Amenaza en lo profundo
  • Ameaça Profunda
  • Υπό το ύδωρ
  • 深海終劫站
  • 深海異獸
  • 深海异兽
  • Під водою
  • 언더워터
  • Underwater - Es ist erwacht
  • Под водой
  • Pod vodou
+20 more
  • Árok
  • Głębia strachu
  • Sous pression
  • Derin Sular
  • Kẻ Săn Mồi Đáy Biển
  • В дълбините
  • Submersos
  • Po vandeniu
  • מתחת למים
  • มฤตยูใต้สมุทร
  • Подводно
  • تحت الماء
  • Zem ūdens, წყალქვეშ
  • زیر آب
  • アンダーウォーター
  • Sub ape
  • Pod vodom
  • Pod vodo
  • अंडरवॉटर
  • Vee all

Seen Underwater?

FAQ

Underwater FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Underwater?

Underwater runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Underwater released?

Underwater was released on January 10, 2020.

Who directed Underwater?

Underwater was directed by William Eubank.

More films by William Eubank

Who is in the cast of Underwater?

Underwater stars Kristen Stewart as Norah Price, Mamoudou Athie as Rodrigo Nagenda and T.J. Miller as Paul Abel, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Underwater make at the box office?

Underwater grossed $40.9 million worldwide ($17.3 million domestic, $23.6 million international) on a budget of $80 million.

How is Underwater rated?

Underwater has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Underwater have a post-credit scene?

No. Underwater has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app