Disney+ removes “totally gripping” ’80s thriller following criticism of “unacceptable” scene

The science fiction film “The Abyss,” directed by James Cameron and renowned for its intense appeal, was taken off Disney+ due to dissatisfaction over a controversial scene deemed inappropriate.

1989’s movie tells a story about an oil rig squad and a group of Navy SEALs who find themselves investigating a sunken submarine in the Caribbean. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they stumble upon something extraordinary hidden beneath them.

In December 2023, a longer version of this movie was exclusively shown in theaters for a single night. More recently, the 4K version has been made available on Disney+.

The movie “The Abyss” has been taken off the streaming platform due to a contentious situation caused by a particular scene, which had previously been omitted from both its initial theater release and later versions, unexpectedly appearing in the version available on Disney+.

The questioned scene depicted a live rat being pushed into fluorocarbon liquid, with the aim to show that it would float. Despite the rodent’s survival, this scene was removed due to concerns over animal cruelty by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

The decision barred the specific scene from appearing in any version of the movie for theater screenings, home videos, or traditional broadcasts. However, since the existing rules don’t apply equally to streaming platforms like Disney+, they are exempt from these restrictions.

Disney Plus has yet to respond following Digital Spy’s inquiry about the movie’s deletion from their streaming platform.

David Bowles, in his role as Head of Public Affairs for the RSPCA, voiced his concern that there’s a gap in regulations, which lets disturbing animal abuse footage be openly and lawfully broadcast into our households, even though such scenes are generally considered inappropriate elsewhere.

The contentious rat scene in “The Abyss” has troubled the RSPCA for a long time, and it’s been considered inappropriate by the British Board of Film Classification. It’s puzzling as to why Disney+ would choose to air this scene, given these prior concerns.

Let’s make certain that content not depicting kindness towards animals is avoided by viewers. Given the evolving methods through which many homes access entertainment, it’s crucial for our laws to adapt accordingly.

The Abyss is often praised as one of Cameron’s best films, boasting a remarkable 89% positive review score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 56 critic appraisals.

On the website, it is stated as their collective opinion: “The breathtaking visual effects often take center stage, yet it’s important to note that The Abyss is equally a suspenseful, tense thriller, featuring an engaging group of characters.

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2025-06-18 01:19