Under Paris

Under Paris: A Shark in the City of Lights

Subheading: When the Seine Becomes a Shark Tank

Xavier Gens’s latest film, “Under Paris,” takes us to the heart of the French capital, where the serene waters of the Seine River become a hunting ground for a terrifying predator. The story follows Sophia, a brilliant scientist haunted by a past shark encounter, as she teams up with Mika, a young environmental activist, and Adil, the Seine river police commander, to prevent a bloodbath during the World Triathlon Championships.

The film wastes no time in establishing the threat, introducing us to a giant shark lurking beneath the surface of the Seine. As the trio races against time, they uncover a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power, with the city’s mayor more concerned with maintaining a pristine image for the upcoming Olympics than ensuring public safety.

“Under Paris” delivers a suspenseful and thrilling experience, with well-crafted action sequences and a palpable sense of danger. The shark, brought to life through impressive CGI, is a formidable foe, and the film effectively uses the unique setting of Paris to create a claustrophobic and menacing atmosphere.

Bérénice Bejo delivers a compelling performance as Sophia, a woman driven by both her scientific curiosity and her personal vendetta against the shark that took her husband. Nassim Lyes and Léa Léviant provide solid support as Adil and Mika, respectively, rounding out the film’s central trio.

While the film occasionally falls into familiar shark movie tropes, it also offers some fresh twists and turns, keeping the audience guessing until the very end. The environmental message is clear, but it doesn’t overshadow the entertainment value of the film.

“Under Paris” is a must-see for fans of shark movies and thrillers in general. It’s a well-crafted and suspenseful film that will leave you on the edge of your seat. With its unique setting, compelling characters, and thrilling action sequences, “Under Paris” is a worthy addition to the shark movie canon.