Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Not much shark action in drippy, awkward eco-thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Black Demon
What's the Story?
In THE BLACK DEMON, oil company inspector Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas) is sent to a small town in Baja to check on an oil rig called "El Diamante." Having fond memories of the town, he brings his wife, Ines (Fernanda Urrejola), and their two kids -- teen Audrey (Venus Ariel) and younger brother Tommy (Carlos Solórzano) -- along for a vacation. When they arrive, they discover that the town is in ruins, a shell of its former self. There seems to be some urgency to get Paul out to the rig, so he catches the first boat, leaving his family on shore. He discovers not only that the rig is also dilapidated and hazardous, but also that there's a megalodon shark prowling the waters below. Unfortunately, Paul's family decides to follow him, and they all wind up stranded on the rig, along with the two remaining workers, Chato (Julio Cesar Cedillo) and Junior (Jorge A. Jimenez). Worse, time is running out for the rig itself.
Is It Any Good?
Megalodon enthusiasts beware: There's barely any shark action in this drippy message movie, an anti-thriller filled with obnoxious characters, draggy pacing, and wince-inducing dialogue. Whereas Last Sentinel showed how a low-budget movie set on a remote ocean outpost could work, The Black Demon is an example of what not to do. Directed by Adrian Grunberg (Rambo: Last Blood), the movie starts off on the wrong foot thanks to its characters, especially Paul. He's a typical "ugly American": He's elitist and entitled, asking locals whether they speak English and passing out money in exchange for favors. Even after his big redemption, he's still kind of obnoxious (a "confession" scene accompanied by a montage of images of the environment ruined by oil production is eye-rollingly awkward). Lucas also overacts a bit, snarling his dialogue in a Clint Eastwood-type way.
Paul's family is superfluous, except for young Tommy, whose love of pirates and mythology is blatantly exploited to further the plot. And the movie fails to make interesting use of the tension between Paul and rig workers Chato and Junior. But the worst crime in The Black Demon is the broken promise of a shark. There are only a few blurry shots of the creature, rendered in smudgy CGI, that no shark fan would give a fin for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Black Demon's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What is the movie's message? What did you learn? Did it change the way you view the environment and your ecosystem?
Why are movies and shows about sharks and shark attacks so fascinating to many viewers?
How does the movie do in the area of diverse representation? Do characters of color have depth and agency? Are stereotypes used?
How is drinking portrayed? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 28, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : July 11, 2023
- Cast : Josh Lucas , Fernanda Urrejola , Julio Cesar Cedillo
- Director : Adrian Grunberg
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , Mexican Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Writer(s) , Multiracial Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : The Avenue
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some grisly images
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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