The Reef

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The Reef

R,

2010,

1h 27m,

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Watchlist

79%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

41%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A sailing trip becomes a disaster for a group of friends when the boat sinks and a white shark hunts the helpless passengers.

Critics Consensus

A gripping example of less-is-more horror, The Reef is the rare shark attack movie that isn't content to merely tread water.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Mar 16, 2011

3/5

Fortunately, the lengthy scenes in which the four frightened swimmers are menaced by a white pointer are chillingly well handled -- not since Jaws 35 years ago has the horror of this sort of situation been as well captured on film.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Mar 14, 2011

3/5

As for suspense, there isn't much. When the only thing at stake is the size of the body count, suspense becomes the first casualty.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Aug 30, 2026

6/10

The vicarious thrill of watching some innocent get dragged underwater in a fountain of blood is precisely what the audience watches a film like The Reef for.

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Joe Lipsett

Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting

Jul 22, 2025

3/5

The adaptation of Ray Boundy's real life 1983 shark attack is slick and well packaged. While it would have helped casting more distinct actresses, The Reef boasts good shark set pieces and solid performances. Plays like a bigger budget Open Water

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

May 28, 2013

2.5/4

...the film's final stretch is unexpectedly engrossing...

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Scott Weinberg

FEARnet

Sep 5, 2011

3.5/5

Considering what most low-budget shark flicks look like, The Reef is a welcome sight indeed.

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Albus L

Apr 7, 2019

Yo, not sure how they spent 35 million on this. When the only scene is someone's bathtub made to look like an ocean. The shark is the only interesting character. I'd like to have learned more about him, you know? Is he an only child? Why does he feel the need to eat people? Was his childhood pleasant? Anyway, waste of money, waste of an amazon prime membership, waste of time. Waste of a review.

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Rey L

Jan 4, 2019

Tension is maintained, but it's very strained, and everything else is pretty thin.

Leia R

Mar 29, 2018

The beginning and the end was crap but he middle was decent. If you like people lost at sea and sharks, check it out.

Kylo R

May 20, 2017

"It's about a man putting his head underwater repeatedly" - The criticising bear 2017

Hagrid L

May 15, 2017

Saw it three times. Very suspenseful, great story and cinematography.

Kylo L

Apr 2, 2017

Suspenseful enough for some popcorn munching, but feels lacking in suspense elements.

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Andrew Traucki

Director

Damian Walshe-Howling

Luke

Gyton Grantley

Matt

Adrienne Pickering

Suzie

Zoe Naylor

Kate

Kieran Darcy-Smith

Warren

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Synopsis

A sailing trip becomes a disaster for a group of friends when the boat sinks and a white shark hunts the helpless passengers.

Director: Andrew Traucki
Producer: Michael Robertson, Andrew Traucki
Screenwriter: Andrew Traucki
Production Co: Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Lightning Entertainment
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 27m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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