Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brave diver works to reform sharks' reputations in docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shark Whisperer
What's the Story?
Shark attacks are rare, we're told in SHARK WHISPERER. To bolster this assertion, aerial photography shows a number of sharks swimming among unsuspecting surfers on a Hawaii shore and no one is injured. Ocean Ramsey, the movie's subject, makes the assertion that when encountering a shark while swimming we should just make our bodies less tense and fear the sharks less and they may not attack. That has been the case for her anyway, as documented by some beautiful and dramatic footage. Ramsey also advises there is good reason to cut back on the killing of the prehistoric creature as they play an important role in the health of the ocean ecosystem and, right now, 100 million of them are killed every year. Despite Ramsey's detractors in the oceanography and marine biology world, everyone agrees she is courageous and that she has indeed found a way to have relationships with a number of sharks, many of whom she has identified and named over years of swimming in Oahu waters. But they warn that her ability to evade attack does not mean everyone can get sharks to leave them alone. The underwater photography, mostly by her partner Juan Oliphant, is beautiful and enveloping. Together, they worked to get a Hawaii law passed banning the killing of sharks.
Is It Any Good?
Shark Whisperer is a stunning film, with memorable images of huge predatory creatures allowing Ramsey to hang off their fins and pet them, without ever seeming aggressive or threatening. Ramsey doesn't have the degrees to certify and validate her research in the eyes of academics, but she has the determination and admiration for the animals she is trying to save that reminds one of Jane Goodall and her relationship with primates.
The film might explore more deeply the moves she makes or doesn't make that result in sharks seeming to ignore her as potential as snack food. She claims if you're "tense or nervous or stressed," the "highly evolved" shark can "pick up on it." She seems to imply that sharks know if we have good "intentions." Of course, there is little proof that swimmers who have been attacked were particularly "tense or nervous or stressed" when they were attacked so her speculation is dubious at best. The question ignored here is why does being tense make a shark want to eat someone? It's clear that Ramsey has learned a great deal about sharks and her experience and knowledge should be acknowledged and admired. She even notes that if she dies by shark attack, no one should blame the shark. But in the meantime, the big takeaway is: Do not try swimming with sharks at home.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between humans and animals. Does it surprise you that the sharks don't attack Ramsey? Why or why not?
What do you think is special about Ramsey's behavior when she is near sharks that keep them from attacking her?
How can you learn more about sharks and other animals that interest you?
How does this film compare to other animal documentaries you've seen?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 30, 2025
- Directors : Juan Oliphant , James Reed
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language and brief blood
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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