The story of Fear Below unfolds in 1946 Australia, where a struggling small-time diving company called Sea Dog Diving Company is run by Ernie Morgan, a decent but somewhat hapless man who owns the business and relies heavily on his two employees, Clara Bennett and Jimmy Barriakada. The film opens with this rag-tag team being hired to locate and retrieve a sunken van from a river, a task that seems straightforward but soon spirals into a deadly ordeal.

As the divers prepare and descend into the murky river waters, the atmosphere is tense but hopeful. Clara, a skilled and determined diver, leads the effort alongside Jimmy, who is loyal and resourceful. Their teamwork and camaraderie are evident, showing a bond forged through shared hardship and mutual respect. Ernie, though not diving himself, supports them and feels a growing sense of responsibility for their safety.

The initial dives reveal nothing unusual until the team encounters a highly aggressive female bull shark lurking in the depths. The shark’s presence immediately shifts the tone from a routine salvage mission to a fight for survival. The water becomes a claustrophobic battleground as the divers try to evade the relentless predator. The shark’s attacks are sudden and brutal, forcing the team to adapt quickly or perish.

Amidst the underwater terror, the divers uncover a darker truth: they are not merely retrieving a sunken vehicle but are entangled with a ruthless criminal gang. This gang had deliberately sunk the van to hide stolen gold bullion, and now they want it back at any cost. The criminals prove to be as treacherous and dangerous as the bull shark itself, adding a human threat to the natural one.

The tension escalates as the divers navigate both the physical dangers of the river and the moral dangers posed by their employers. Clara emerges as a strong, resourceful leader, determined to protect her team and survive. Jimmy’s loyalty and courage shine through, while Ernie grapples with guilt for involving them in such peril. Dylan 'Bull' Maddock and other characters from the gang add layers of menace and unpredictability.

The climax is a visceral confrontation beneath the water’s surface, where the divers must outwit the shark and the criminals simultaneously. The murky river becomes a labyrinth of danger, with moments of suspense as the characters face near-death experiences. The film’s ending resolves the immediate threats but leaves a lasting impression of the harshness of both nature and human greed.

Throughout the film, the setting of post-war Australia in 1946 adds a gritty, period atmosphere, enhancing the sense of isolation and struggle. The characters’ arcs revolve around survival, loyalty, and confronting betrayal, with Clara’s leadership and the team’s solidarity standing out as key emotional threads.

Fear Below is a tense, action-packed thriller that combines underwater horror with a crime story, delivering a gripping narrative scene by scene—from the initial dive preparations, through the shark attacks, to the deadly showdown with the criminal gang.

The divers in Fear Below face a highly aggressive female bull shark that inhabits the river where they are attempting to salvage a sunken car, posing a deadly threat to their mission and survival.

The main characters in the diving team include Clara Bennett (played by Hermione Corfield), Dylan 'Bull' Maddock (Jake Ryan), Jimmy Barriakada (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), and Ernie Morgan (Arthur Angel), who owns the Sea Dog Diving Company. Clara and Jimmy are employees who stick by Ernie, who despite poor business decisions, is decent and respects his team.

The sunken car contains stolen gold bullion, and the divers are hired to locate and retrieve it. However, they discover they are working for a ruthless criminal gang who are as dangerous as the bull shark lurking beneath the water.

The period setting in 1946 Australia provides a unique backdrop for the story, distinguishing it from typical contemporary shark movies. It adds historical context to the diving technology and the socio-economic conditions of the characters, such as the struggling Sea Dog Diving Company and the criminal elements involved.

Fear Below is set in 1946 Australia, providing a period backdrop for the story involving a team of divers hired to locate a sunken van in a river.

The movie Fear Below (2025) is not family friendly and is rated R due to its intense and graphic content. It features multiple intense and bloody shark attack scenes, violent deaths, and predatory threats that can be very distressing for children and sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes include:

• Graphic violence and bloody shark attacks with scenes of predatory aggression.
• Violent deaths that are depicted in a realistic and intense manner.
• Strong language and mature themes related to crime and survival.
• The overall tone is dark and suspenseful, with a focus on horror and action elements involving a bull shark and criminal activity.

There is no explicit sexual content or nudity, but the film’s violent and horror elements make it unsuitable for children and younger teens. It is recommended only for mature audiences aged 18 and above who can handle disturbing content.

In summary, Fear Below contains scenes of graphic violence, intense shark attacks, and adult themes that make it inappropriate for children or sensitive viewers.