Year: 2020
Runtime: 95 min
Language: English
Director: William Eubank
When a catastrophic event triggers the implosion of an underwater drilling station, a small group of survivors fights for survival. They must journey across the dangerous and immense ocean floor to escape, facing immense pressure and treacherous conditions. Their escape is further threatened by unseen creatures lurking in the deep, dark waters, creating a terrifying fight for survival against both the environment and an unknown menace.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Underwater yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Underwater (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In the year 2050, the Kepler 822, a state-of-the-art research and drilling facility run by Tian Industries, is suddenly rocked by what appears to be a violent earthquake. As the facility suffers significant damage, Norah Price (Kristen Stewart), a mechanical engineer, along with her colleagues Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie) and Paul (T.J. Miller), hastily make their way to the escape pod bay in a desperate bid for survival.
Situated at a staggering depth of 36,000 feet, with a crushing pressure equivalent to 8 tons per square inch, the facility is plagued with ominous reports of strange sightings and unexplained occurrences that the Tian company has conveniently brushed aside. These include mysterious explosions and bizarre figures lurking in the dark depths.
As they reach the escape pod bay, they find that all the pods have already been sent to the surface. The only person remaining is Captain Lucien (Vincent Cassel). Together, they navigate to a control base, where they encounter Emily Haversham (Jessica Henwick) and Liam Smith (John Gallagher Jr.). However, their attempts to establish contact with the surface are futile, as the power core of the Kepler is dangerously overheating and poised for catastrophic failure.
Thinking quickly, Lucien proposes a risky plan: they must don pressurized suits and trek across the ocean floor for a mile to reach Roebuck 641, hoping to find a means of escape. The mission begins with an elevator descent into the abyss, but tragedy soon strikes when Rodrigo’s faulty helmet implodes under the immense water pressure, claiming his life.
Amid the chaos, the group spots a distress beacon originating from a trapped escape pod below. When Smith and Paul investigate, they discover a body amidst the wreckage, from which a grotesque creature bursts forth and attacks. Smith valiantly dispatches the beast, which Emily later identifies as a member of an undiscovered species, suggesting their drilling activities may have disturbed a hydrothermal pocket capable of sustaining life in the dark depths.
Continuing their perilous journey along the seabed, Kepler suddenly detonates above them, sending debris crashing down and injuring Smith. Thankfully, Norah and Lucien manage to save him before they can find refuge in an access tunnel, where they can charge their suits. However, they soon realize that Smith’s oxygen scrubber is compromised, putting his life in jeopardy amid the toxic fumes.
While traversing the access route, Paul is suddenly attacked by an unknown entity, dragging him underwater before he can be rescued. At the mid-point station, the crew witnesses a formidable drill bit being obliterated—an ominous sign that mankind’s ambition to drill deep beneath the ocean was an invitation for disaster.
Just as they prepare to leave, the damage to Smith’s oxygen pod becomes critical. refusing to abandon another team member, Norah, Lucien, and Emily support Smith in his struggle to survive. Tragically, while navigating the ocean floor, a humanoid creature ambushes them and snags Smith into a cavern. Although Lucien rescues him, he is soon overwhelmed. In a heart-wrenching choice, Lucien sacrifices himself to protect Norah from the increasing pressure.
Now alone, Norah arrives at the abandoned Shepard station, where she repairs her damaged diving suit before forging ahead to Roebuck. Along the ocean bed, she reunites with Emily and Smith, helping to support him as they enter Roebuck. It’s there they encounter a menacing nest of the humanoid creatures. Despite their best efforts to sneak by, Haversham’s oxygen alarm inadvertently alerts the creatures.
In a frantic bid for life, Norah is partially engulfed by one of the beasts but manages to fight back and escape. At long last, they reach the escape pod bay, where Norah discovers only two pods are operational. Acting quickly, she and Emily manage to get the gravely injured Smith into one pod. Norah implores Emily to take the last escape pod for herself.
Just as they are about to escape, a colossal creature surfaces, attacking Roebuck while its smaller counterparts pursue the escape pods. Understanding that her sacrifice may be necessary, Norah triggers a core overload in Roebuck, resulting in a monumental explosion that destroys the creatures and allows the escape pods to break free.
In the aftermath, news outlets report only two survivors from the harrowing ordeal, implying that the remainder of the crew was lost. Meanwhile, Tian Industries separates itself from the calamity, poised to expand its ambitious drilling endeavors further into the depths of the ocean.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:22
Still wondering what the ending of Underwater (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the end, Norah makes an incredible sacrifice to ensure that her friends can escape the horrors beneath the ocean. Knowing her escape pod is faulty and risking her own life, she pushes Smith and Emily to the surface before staying behind to draw the creatures’ attention away from them. Her choice is driven by her desire to protect those she cares about and to prevent the ocean’s monsters from claiming more lives. It’s a poignant act of selflessness, reflecting her growth from a hardened survivor to someone willing to give everything for others. Norah’s sacrifice allows Smith and Emily to reach the surface, where they are rescued, but it’s left ambiguous whether the monstrous creatures survived. Given the destructive explosion at Roebuck station, some of the smaller creatures, like the Deep Ones, might have been killed, but the towering, Lovecraft-inspired monstrosity—Cthulhu—likely remains unharmed, lurking in the depths. The film underscores that humanity’s greed and recklessness have awakened ancient, malevolent forces in the ocean, forces that are arguably unstoppable and eternal. Even though the survivors escape and the immediate threat is mitigated, the broader story leaves us with a sense of ongoing danger—these creatures, born from mankind’s hubris, may rise again someday. Ultimately, Norah’s death is not just about saving her friends but also about accepting the harsh reality that some threats are beyond human control. Humanity’s persistent interference with nature’s mysteries risks unleashing forces far older and more powerful than ourselves, and the ending serves as a stark reminder of that catastrophic consequence.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Underwater in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Underwater is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Underwater with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Underwater. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Underwater that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Underwater (2020) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Underwater (2020) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Underwater (2020) Ending Explained & Theories
Movies Like Underwater – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Deep (1977) Story Summary & Characters
The Abyss (1989) Movie Recap & Themes
Deep Blue Sea (1999) Complete Plot Breakdown
Sea Fever (2020) Detailed Story Recap
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) Film Overview & Timeline
DeepStar Six (1989) Movie Recap & Themes
Beneath (2014) Full Movie Breakdown
Humanoids from the Deep (1980) Movie Recap & Themes
Leviathan (1989) Full Movie Breakdown
Beneath (2013) Full Movie Breakdown
The Meg (2018) Story Summary & Characters
Below (2002) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019) Full Summary & Key Details
Tentacles (1977) Full Movie Breakdown
Deep (2021) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap