Beneath (2013 film)
| Beneath | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Larry Fessenden |
| Written by | Tony Daniel, Brian D. Smith |
| Starring | Daniel Zovatto, Bonnie Dennison, Chris Conroy |
| Cinematography | Gordon Arkenberg |
| Edited by | Lois J. Drabkin |
| Music by | Will Bates |
Production companies | Chiller Films, Glass Eye Pix |
| Distributed by | Chiller, Shout! Factory |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Beneath is a 2013 horror film directed by Larry Fessenden. The film had its world premiere at the Stanley Film Festival on May 3, 2013 and later aired on the Chiller channel.[1] Beneath stars Daniel Zovatto, Bonnie Dennison, and Chris Conroy as teenagers that must fight for their lives against man-eating fish.
A digital comic based upon the movie was released in July 2013.[2] The comic, also titled Beneath, explores the backstory behind the catfish and details another group that the giant fish attacked in the 60s.
Plot
Six teenagers head out to the lake for a day of fun and sun, unaware that a giant man-eating catfish lurks in wait to devour them one by one. One of them knows its out there but the others are left clueless while death comes their way.
Cast
- Daniel Zovatto as Johnny
- Bonnie Dennison as Kitty
- Chris Conroy as Matt
- Jonny Orsini as Simon
- Griffin Newman as Zeke
- Mackenzie Rosman as Deb
- Mark Margolis as Mr. Parks
Production
Plans for Beneath were first officially announced in 2012, with Daniel Zovatto named as one of the film's lead roles.[3] Filming took place during an 18-day period and Fessenden designed the fish himself, as he wanted it to resemble "a real fish and not like an evil creature".[4] Fessenden experienced some difficulties shooting, as he and the other crew members only had small boats to shoot upon and that "any kind of company move took forever".[4] He also greatly revised the script, removing several flashback scenes, in an attempt to "keep the drama within the claustrophobic boat".[5]
Reception
Critical reception for Beneath was predominantly negative,[6] and Film School Rejects remarked that the movie was "what happens when indie directors have bills to pay".[7] Dread Central compared Beneath to the 2003 movie The Room, saying that "both are seemingly oblivious in their outright terribleness".[8] The Hollywood Reporter and RogerEbert.com gave more mixed reviews,[9] with The Hollywood Reporter commenting that the movie was "efficiently shot, edited and scored" but that "otherwise it’s another of those depressing examples of bad movies happening to interesting directors."[10]
References
- ^ "Larry Fessenden's "BENEATH" to World Premiere at Stanley Festival; First Pic". Fangoria. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ Truitt, Brian (7 July 2013). "'Beneath' comic showcases the movie's Black Lake monster". USA Today. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "Zovatto goes 'Beneath'". Variety. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Director Larry Fessenden talks about his monster-fish movie 'Beneath' and its 'black humor'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "How Larry Fessenden's Chiller-Produced Shocker 'Beneath' Wrestles With the Made-For-TV Formula". IndieWire. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ Doro, Paul. "Review: Beneath". STYD. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "Stanley Film Fest 2013 Review: 'Beneath' Is What Happens When Indie Directors Have Bills to Pay". FSR. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "Review: Beneath (2013)". Dread Central. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "Review: Beneath". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ Rooney, David (11 July 2013). "Beneath: Film Review". THR. Retrieved 23 December 2013.