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The Reef

Play trailer Poster for The Reef R 2010 1h 27m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 41% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A sailing trip becomes a disaster for a group of friends when the boat sinks and a white shark hunts the helpless passengers.
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The Reef

The Reef

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Critics Consensus

A gripping example of less-is-more horror, The Reef is the rare shark attack movie that isn't content to merely tread water.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) 03/16/2011
3/5
Fortunately, the lengthy scenes in which the four frightened swimmers are menaced by a white pointer are chillingly well handled -- not since Jaws 35 years ago has the horror of this sort of situation been as well captured on film. Go to Full Review
Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald 03/14/2011
3/5
As for suspense, there isn't much. When the only thing at stake is the size of the body count, suspense becomes the first casualty. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting Jul 22
3/5
The adaptation of Ray Boundy's real life 1983 shark attack is slick and well packaged. While it would have helped casting more distinct actresses, The Reef boasts good shark set pieces and solid performances. Plays like a bigger budget Open Water Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 05/28/2013
2.5/4
...the film's final stretch is unexpectedly engrossing... Go to Full Review
Scott Weinberg FEARnet 09/05/2011
3.5/5
Considering what most low-budget shark flicks look like, The Reef is a welcome sight indeed. Go to Full Review
Heather Wixson Dread Central 08/10/2011
4/5
Traucki manages to keep the tension running throughout the film's 94-minute runtime even before the shark ever shows up to make dinner out of the cast. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 27 Success in 1 hour and 27 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed on location off the coast of Australia and re-scripted in the United States of America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Theo D Jul 21 Brilliant film, full of tension a must see for any shark fan!! Loses a start as the ending did piss me off See more MrAvocado Jan 14 Some of the acting and dialogue was a bit...awkward at times. The whole romantic backstory doesn't really pay off in any way, it just seems to be there to add some tension/character traits and extent the runtime. The whole "based on true events" tagged on to the front and back of the film is unnecessary, but I suppose the director saw Wolf Creek and liked the idea. Once the characters are in the open ocean, it was well done in terms of blending live shark footage with the actors and there is some tension to be had here, though there is really only so much you can do with it, it gets repetitive and then it ends somewhat abruptly. If you like shark films it's at least worth a watch but it's nothing spectacular. See more 07/29/2024 scary and tense an actual nail-biter of a thriller the terror takes shape when everyone is forced to swim for their lives against the perilous waters and escape being eaten by a shark in the process the viewer will get creeped out and the psychosis of it all is all the more terrifying when no one is around thank goodness these characters are very likable and not disposable B-movie horror to be tossed out really is scary when the footage of the shark is edited and filmed with such precision lackluster of an ending but you do learn not to ever go swimming in the open currents again See more Dave C 07/17/2024 Neither a horror, nor suspenseful, it is more of a drama loosely based on a true story - which is intriguing, filmed with real sharks (I've searched for the documentary, but can't find it), so at least there is a spine of truth to the story. Besides all of that, it doesn't really have anything of substance and kind of floats along at the same low level of entertainment from start to finish. I didn't care for any of the characters, and so had no real thoughts about the outcome once revealed. I would likely enjoy the 'making of' documentary See more Megan e 07/11/2024 Good low-budget shark movie based on a true story! Acting is ok. Nice thrills! 3.5 stars See more Read all reviews
The Reef

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Movie Info

Synopsis A sailing trip becomes a disaster for a group of friends when the boat sinks and a white shark hunts the helpless passengers.
Director
Andrew Traucki
Producer
Michael Robertson, Andrew Traucki
Screenwriter
Andrew Traucki
Production Co
Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Lightning Entertainment
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Australian English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2016
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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