Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Blake Lively vs. shark in tense, bloody ocean thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Shallows
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 50 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a suspenseful shark thriller with intense scenes of violence and blood that may not be suitable for younger audiences, featuring graphic moments like characters being bitten in half and a protagonist stitching up her own leg. While the acting is praised and some found it both thrilling and entertaining, many warn about its extreme gore and strong language, suggesting parent discretion for viewers under 12.
- intense violence
- strong language
- graphic scenes
- parental discretion
- suspenseful thriller
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE SHALLOWS, Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) is a young med school dropout who goes to a secluded beach to surf and mourn the death of her mother. She quickly realizes that she's not alone...there's a shark in the water with her. She survives its attack, but that's just the beginning of her battle of wits with the Great White. Stranded 200 yards from shore, Nancy has to figure out how to get out alive.
Is It Any Good?
Like the shark at the center of its story, this movie pulls you in the minute Nancy grabs her surfboard and gets in the water. The Great White gets her right away, but that's only the beginning of her fight to stay alive. Lively is in almost every scene of the movie, and she's compelling enough to make it work. She's alone, injured and trapped, but still manages to stitch up her leg, make a video, and fight off a giant shark. She's a tough, strong woman who doesn't need saving.
There are quite a few terrifying shots of people being grabbed by sharks, but the scariest is what you don't see: i.e. a surfer being pulled in from under the water and not coming back up (and then there's Lively's face while it's all happening). It's only 87 minutes long, but you'll be holding your breath for much of that time. Unlike Jaws, the shark looks very real here (though the same can't be said for the scenes of Lively surfing...) and even more menacing. The end is a little silly, and The Shallows won't end up a a classic like Jaws did, but it will give a new generation of beachgoers an ominous feeling when they look down in the water.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Shallows' 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?
Is Nancy a role model? Why or why not? How does she demonstrate perseverance? Why is that an important character strength?
Talk about Nancy's decision to hitchhike to a secluded beach and go surfing alone. Was that a smart, safe choice? What else could she have done? Have you ever gone anywhere by yourself and been nervous about it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 24, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : September 27, 2016
- Cast : Blake Lively , Óscar Jaenada , Sedona Legge
- Director : Jaume Collet-Serra
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody images, intense sequences of peril, and brief strong language
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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