Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory shark tale has violence, profanity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Deep Blue Sea 2
What's the Story?
In DEEP BLUE SEA 2, Misty Calhoun (Danielle Savre), eminent shark scientist, is coaxed by a rich pharmaceutical company executive to visit to an ocean research facility near the coast of South Africa. The underwater research conducted there involves a bizarre effort to smarten up dangerous bull sharks with an experimental drug. Expert Carl Durant (Michael Beach) is leading the under-the-radar experiment and secretly has been administering the developmental drug to himself, as well. The egomaniacal scientist believes his discovery will hold off humanity's worst nightmare: a man-versus-machine future. As Misty Calhoun's apprehension turns to anger, then fear, the sharks get smarter while the researchers and their boss get dumber, despite accelerating warnings. Havoc ensues as the expected battle between man and fish begins.
Is It Any Good?
It's a pretty routine scare-fest with a crew of dopes following their mad scientist leader only to discover that "the shark did it" and will do it again and again and again. Deep Blue Sea 2 has all the expected horror tropes associated with ocean's most feared (and, as the heroine explains, "misunderstood") predator. As happens in many other low-budget horror flicks, the often ridiculous mayhem is laughable -- and maybe that's just what the filmmakers were going for. Suspenseful music and eerie sounds lead either to moments of false jeopardy or to mighty jaws opening to devour blissfully stupid people who just can't believe that they're treading dangerous waters with an experiment destined to go wrong. Who will live? Who will be fish food? Calling all sharks ... the buffet is open! Not recommended.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Deep Blue Sea 2. When does such mayhem become laughable? What do you think makes us laugh at such over-the-top gore? Talk about the impact of violence on young audiences.
Did you ever find yourself rooting for Bella and her herd? Do you think the filmmakers intended that? Why or why not?
What is the meaning of the film term "false jeopardy"? Which instances in this movie were examples of that device? How do moments of false jeopardy set up the audience for what's to come afterward?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 17, 2018
- Cast : Danielle Savre , Michael Beach , Rob Mayes
- Director : Darin Scott
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Adventures , STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : creature violence and gore, and for language
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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