Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bloody shark tale is extremely tense, gripping.
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47 Meters Down
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 31 parent reviews
Parents say this film, primarily featuring a survival narrative with sharks, is not suitable for children under certain ages due to gore and intense scenes, though some parents found it relatively family-friendly. While opinions on the movie vary, many reviewers criticized its unrealistic plot, technical errors, and cheesy ending, with some finding moments of suspense and thrills, making it a divisive choice among viewers.
- mixed age suitability
- unrealistic plot
- suspenseful moments
- cheesy ending
- technical errors
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 83 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mixed bag with many finding it disappointing due to its unrealistic plot and poor acting, while others appreciate the suspense and shark-related thrills it offers. The predominant criticisms are around excessive gore and a lack of satisfying character development, with many reviews noting it feels predictable and dull at times.
- unrealistic plot
- average acting
- excessive gore
- predictable story
- mixed reception
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In 47 METERS DOWN, sisters Lisa (Mandy Moore) and Kate (Claire Holt) are on vacation in Mexico. Kate is the adventurous type, while Lisa likes to play it safe -- but her cautious nature recently resulted in her boyfriend leaving her. The women meet a couple of nice local guys (Yani Gellman and Santiago Segura) who convince them to go diving in a shark cage. The boat's captain (Matthew Modine) gets them ready and assures them that everything is safe: They'll only be going down five meters. But the winch breaks, and the sisters are plummeted to the bottom of the ocean. If they leave the cage, the sharks will attack, and if they try to reach the surface, they'll surely expire from "the bends." But their air is running out, and help isn't coming fast enough.
Is It Any Good?
An extremely simple idea unfolds into a no-frills thriller that's so insidiously gripping that it verges on throttling; shark fans shouldn't miss seeing this on the big screen. Crafting an admirably tight, 89-minute "B" movie, director/co-writer Johannes Roberts (The Other Side of the Door) quickly sets up the story's sympathetic characters and just as quickly gets them in the shark tank, building suspense with cautious Lisa's believable and understandable panic. (Quick breathing is a tense part of this movie's soundtrack.)
Once underwater, the many obstacles keep the story moving briskly, from the depth of the water to the lack of air to the sharks themselves, which can pop out at any moment. At least one of the plot devices Roberts uses will have the power to catch you off guard, and there's a sudden drop into darkness that is -- frankly -- probably scarier than anything with teeth. Most impressively, 47 Meters Down raises its stakes high enough to make even seasoned moviegoers squirm and shriek in both terror and delight.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about 47 Meters Down's violence and scary scenes. Which parts scared you the most? Why? Is it scarier when you can see the monster/bad guy, or when you can't? Why?
Did the fact that the characters were trapped affect how you responded to the scary scenes? Why or why not?
Does the movie encourage viewers to take chances in life or play it safe? Do you agree with Lisa's reasons for deciding to do something dangerous? What pushed her to do that? Also, do you consider any of the characters role models? Why or why not?
What's the appeal of shark movies and shark TV shows? How does this one compare to the others?
How is drinking portrayed? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 16, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : September 26, 2017
- Cast : Mandy Moore , Claire Holt , Matthew Modine
- Director : Johannes Roberts
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Dimension , Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense peril, bloody images, and brief strong language
- Last updated : March 6, 2026
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