By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Netflix's latest sensation, "Under Paris" a blend of monster movie and eco thriller set in the French capital, is making a significant impact. Following the success of "Godzilla Minus One", this low budget, non English language film demonstrates how to captivate audiences, contrasting sharply with Hollywood's struggle to draw viewers to big budget releases like "The Fall Guy" and "Furiosa".
While "Emily in Paris" once held the attention of Netflix subscribers, it's now "Lilith in Paris" Lilith being the name of a man eating mutant shark that's gripping viewers. In "Under Paris", the shark prowls the Seine, devouring unsuspecting swimmers, and the concept has resonated so strongly that the film has surged to the top of Netflix’s charts. Hollywood could take a cue from this French production on engaging audiences.
This trend isn't new. Last year, "Godzilla Minus One", a Japanese film made on a shoestring budget, garnered acclaim as the standout monster movie of 2023 and won an Academy Award for visual effects. As Caryn James highlighted in her BBC Culture piece, its straightforward, impactful narrative appealed to those weary of the convoluted storylines of Marvel and DC films. "Godzilla Minus One" held the top spot on Netflix until it was overtaken by "Under Paris".
Potential viewers should note that "Under Paris" doesn't match the high standards set by "Godzilla Minus One". It's a campy B movie with low budget effects and TV quality camerawork. Lilith, the shark, isn’t particularly convincing, reminiscent of the holographic shark from "Back to the Future Part II". However, Paris’s iconic bridges and boulevards provide a visually appealing backdrop, and director Xavier Gens uses striking imagery effectively, despite budget constraints. Gens maintains Lilith's mystique by keeping her mostly off screen, often depicting her as a shadow in the murky water.
The film’s brisk pacing and tight storytelling keep the audience engaged. Bérénice Bejo, known for "The Artist", stars as Sophia, an oceanographer tracking sharks to study pollution impacts. In the opening sequence, her team observes Lilith in the North Atlantic garbage patch, noting the shark’s rapid growth from 2.5m to 7m. Three years later, Lilith appears in the Seine, leading Sophia to make breathless declarations like, "That's impossible" , and "That's not normal behavior" , before concluding that Lilith has adapted to fresh water.
Sophia, with the help of tough river policeman Adil (Nassim Lyes), sets out to hunt the beast. However, environmentalists view the shark as a symbol of humanity's environmental degradation, adding depth to the film. Further political intrigue comes from Paris’s Mayor (Anne Marivin), who wants to keep the shark under wraps to avoid disrupting an upcoming triathlon showcasing Paris’s Olympic readiness.
"Under Paris" is a lean, intense eco thriller that never pauses, offering more depth than "The Fall Guy" or "Godzilla x Kong:,The New Empire". Its blend of environmental themes and political commentary, set against the backdrop of Paris, makes it a standout summer movie.
In Paris, a lethal super shark prowls the Seine just as an international triathlon is set to occur. Can a lone scientist prevent a massacre before this mutant sea predator targets some of the world’s top athletes? Directed by Xavier Gens (known for *Budapest* and *Cold Skin*), *Under Paris* features César Award winner Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, and a highly dangerous shark.
How does Under Paris end?
The Plot
Polluted seas and climate change have forced sharks to evolve rapidly. Lilith, a super shark, massacres Sophia's entire crew, including her husband, leading Sophia (Bejo) to quit her marine biologist job. But when Mika (Léa Léviant) from the ocean conservation group Save Our Seas (SOS) tells Sophia that Lilith is now in the Seine, Sophia initially refuses to help, deeming Lilith too dangerous. However, after encountering the river police led by Adil (Nassim Lyes), Sophia, Adil, and Mika team up temporarily.
The Crisis
Mika, determined to save Lilith, stages an SOS sit in at Lilith's nest in the catacombs, only to discover Lilith has given birth to numerous mutant sharks. Lilith has evolved to reproduce via parthenogenesis, creating a new shark species. The shark babies pose a threat to humanity, and the situation worsens when the sharks kill Mika and her partner, Ben (Nagisa Morimoto).
The Climax
In the second attempt to stop Lilith, Sophia and the team plan to trap the sharks during the Seine triathlon. Corrupt mayor (Anne Marivin) delays the operation to avoid disrupting the billion dollar event. As swimmers enter the water, Sophia uses an infrared light machine to attract the sharks, while others set explosives. Lilith appears and kills several people, including explosives expert Poiccard (Stephane Jacquot) and river police officer Adama (Ibrahima Ba). The dynamite explodes, blasting Sophia and Adil through the catacombs, but Lilith survives.
The Final Battle
Lilith, dragging a net of buoys, heads for the triathlon athletes and starts picking them off. The military intervenes, but their gunfire activates WWII artillery shells in the Seine, causing massive explosions. Paris’ ancient bridges are destroyed, and the river infrastructure is compromised. Reservoir basins burst, flooding the area. Lilith maneuvers through the chaos, evading every shell. The situation spirals into madness as everyone struggles to escape the catastrophic flood.
The film concludes with a dramatic, chaotic scene as Paris is engulfed in water, leaving the fate of Lilith, Sophia, and Adil uncertain amidst the devastation.
Does Sophia die in "Under Paris"?
No. In the aftermath of the flood, Sophia miraculously emerges from the water as sirens blare. She helps a barely conscious Adil to the top of a metro entrance, taking in the devastation around them.
Does Lilith die in "Under Paris"?
No. As the camera zooms out on Sophia and Adil, we see Lilith and her offspring circling them. Paris is submerged, filled with seawater, trash, and sharks. During the end credits, a map is shown detailing Lilith and her kin's takeover of global waterways, starting with London, then New York, Bangkok, Venice, Tokyo, and eventually the entire world. The message is clear: if we don't take better care of Earth and its inhabitants, killer sharks will replace us all.
Who’s in the cast of "Under Paris"?
Bérénice Bejo (The Artist) as Sophia Assalas, a marine biologist
Léa Léviant (I Am Not an Easy Man) as Mika, an ocean conservationist with Save the Seas (SOS)
Nassim Lyes(Mayhem) as Adil, a river police commander
Marvin Dubart (Les Rascals) as Markus
Nagisa Morimoto (Moon Knight) as Ben, Mika’s colleague at SOS
Anne Marivin(Rebecca) as the mayor of Paris
Adil’s river police colleagues,
Aurélia Petit (Personal Shopper) as Angèle, Adil’s boss
Ibrahima Ba (Drift) as Adama
Daouda Keita(Mortel) as Leo
Sandra Parfait(Lupin) as Caro
Aksel Ustun (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) as Nils
Stéphane Jacquot (Frontier) as Poiccard, an explosives expert
Jean Marc Bellu (Cassandre) as Berruti, an explosives expert
Sophia’s Mission Ocean Origins colleagues,
Yannick Choirat(Coup de Chance) as Chris
Iñaki Lartigue (A Man of Action) as Juan
Victor Pontecorvo(Coeurs Noirs) as Sam
Thomas Espinera (La Guerre des Trônes, la Véritable Histoire de l’Europe) as Tom
Anaïs Parello(Vortex) as Jade
Summary of "Under Paris"
"Under Paris" is a French monster movie and eco thriller directed by Xavier Gens. The film follows Sophia Assalas, a marine biologist, who teams up with river police commander Adil and ocean conservationist Mika to confront a mutant man eating shark named Lilith, which has evolved due to pollution and climate change. As the shark terrorizes the Seine and threatens an international triathlon in Paris, the team must find a way to stop Lilith before she and her offspring destroy the city.
IMDb Rating
"Under Paris" has an IMDb rating of 6.8/10.
Production Crew
Director: Xavier Gens
Producers: Jean Pierre Bailly, Cédric Jimenez, Mathieu Pierron
Screenwriters: Antoine Blossier, Xavier Gens
Cinematography: Laurent Tangy
Editing: Julien Rey
Music: Max Aruj
Production Design: Arnaud Putman
Filming Locations
The film was shot on location in various parts of Paris, including the Seine River, the Catacombs of Paris, and several Parisian landmarks. Some scenes were also filmed in studio sets designed to replicate underwater environments and other key locations.
Special Techniques and CGI Usage
"Under Paris" utilizes a mix of practical effects and CGI to bring the mutant shark, Lilith, to life. CGI was heavily used to create the underwater sequences and the shark itself, especially for the scenes where Lilith interacts with her environment and victims. Practical effects were employed for close-up shots and to enhance the realism of the shark attacks.
Fans Comments
Fans of "Under Paris" have praised the film for its unique blend of horror and ecological commentary. Many viewers appreciated the suspenseful storytelling and the film's ability to maintain tension throughout. The Parisian setting was also highlighted as a visually stunning backdrop for the thriller. Some fans, however, noted that while the special effects were impressive for a low budget film, there were moments where the CGI was not as seamless as in higher budget productions. Overall, the film has garnered a positive reception for its originality and engaging plot.