Netflix’s New R-Rated Shark Thriller Debuts To Underwhelming Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Netflix’s new thriller has jumped the shark.

Since Steven Spielberg’s Jaws became a huge hit, many filmmakers have tried to create similar movies about sharks. More recently, films like the Sharknado series have pushed the boundaries of the genre with over-the-top action and have become popular for it. Now, Netflix is adding to this trend with its new shark-themed movie.

The new movie Thrash is about a group of people trying to survive a shark attack while a massive Category 5 hurricane hits. It stars Phoebe Dynevor (known from Bridgerton), Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator), and was written and directed by Tommy Wirkola. Critics haven’t been very impressed so far, giving it a 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes after 22 reviews. If that score holds, it would be the lowest-rated film for both Peak and Dynevor.

Many critics find the story uninspired and ridiculous, even with the thrilling shark attacks—particularly a subplot involving a pregnant woman (Dynevor). Though it doesn’t reach the level of Jaws, reviewers generally agree that it’s still a fun, low-budget thriller, and some viewers might enjoy its over-the-top nature.

In a review for ScreenRant, Alex Harrison called Thrash “a pretty fun B picture,” though he noted it lacked the unique style that can elevate similar films. However, he highlighted the escalating suspense – from hurricane to shark attack – as a source of the movie’s enjoyable campiness, leading to consistent laughs. Despite some flaws in its execution, Thrash received a 6 out of 10 rating, with Harrison concluding that it’s perfect for a relaxed viewing at home.

The new Netflix thriller isn’t alone in using a hurricane as a backdrop for a more frightening threat. The 2019 film Crawl, produced by Sam Raimi, features a similar premise: a woman played by Kaya Scodelario battles a crocodile while a powerful hurricane hits Florida. While Thrash received mixed reactions, Crawl was a critical success, earning an 84% approval rating.

The movie’s humor is typical of director Timo Vuorensola, who previously made the parody war film Dead Snow and its sequel, as well as the action-comedy Violent Night. Thrash would be his second-lowest-rated film, following 2013’s Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

It’s a bit tricky with the rest of the cast, though, because they’re all pretty booked up! Phoebe Dynevor’s going to be in M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller, Remain, which is based on a story he wrote with Nicholas Sparks. As for Fayssal El Hajjaji Peak, he’s joining the Hunger Games universe with Sunrise on the Reaping. And Djimon Hounsou? He’s teaming up with Russell Crowe again for a new Highlander movie – that’ll be cool to see!

Thrash is now streaming on Netflix.

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2026-04-10 23:28