“Films about jaws” typically revolve around the terror and suspense of encounters with predatory creatures, particularly sharks. These films often explore themes of fear, survival, and human vulnerability in the face of nature's most formidable predators.
“Jaws”, 1975
Director: Steven Spielberg
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this classic thriller follows the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the small island community of Amity. As the attacks escalate, a local police chief, a marine biologist, and a professional shark hunter join forces to hunt down the deadly predator.
Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Susan Backlinie, Jonathan Filley, Ted Grossman, Chris Rebello, Jay Mello, Lee Fierro, Jeffrey Voorhees, Craig Kingsbury, Robert Nevin, Jonathan Searle, Steven Searle, Tim Aguirre, Chris Anastasio, John Bahr, Bruce, Mike Burnham, Jean Canha, Edwin C. Carlson, Henry Carreiro, Robert Carroll, Edward Chalmers Jr., Robert Chambers, Fritzi Jane Courtney, David Daniel, Gregory S. Dole, Cyprian R. Dube, Stephen Earle, David Engelbach, Dorothy Fielding, Francis A. Frank, Brendan Gallagher, Elizabeth K. Gifford, Willis B. Gifford, Alston Goff, Paul Goulart, Beardsley Graham, Eleanor L. Harvey, Mike Haydn, Richard P. Hewitt, Carla Hogendyk, Wally Hooper Jr., Janice T. Hull;
Production year: 1975;
Genre: thriller, horror, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Jaws” on the website imdb.com
“Deep Blue Sea”, 1999
Director: Renny Harlin
Directed by Renny Harlin, this science fiction horror film centers on a group of scientists who genetically engineer highly intelligent, super-sized sharks as a potential cure for Alzheimer's disease. When the sharks escape and begin to wreak havoc, the researchers must fight for their lives against their own creations.
Starring: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Jacqueline McKenzie, Michael Rapaport, Stellan Skarsgård, LL Cool J, Aida Turturro, Cristos, Daniel Rey, Valente Rodriguez, Brent Roam, Eyal Podell, Erinn Bartlett, Dan Thiel, Sabrina Geerinckx, Tajsha Thomas, Frank Welker, Ronny Cox, Sarah Kelly, Roark Loedy;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: horror, action, science fiction;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,9;
“The Shallows”, 2016
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, this survival thriller stars Blake Lively as a surfer who becomes stranded on a rock in the ocean, just 200 yards from shore, after being attacked by a great white shark. As she struggles to outsmart the relentless predator, she must rely on her wits and resourcefulness to survive.
Starring: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, Joseph Salas, Brett Cullen, Sedona Legge, Pablo Calva, Diego Espejel, Janelle Bailey, Ava Dean, Chelsea Moody, Sully Seagull;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: horror, action, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “The Shallows” on the website imdb.com
“Open Water”, 2003
Director: Chris Kentis
Directed by Chris Kentis, this independent horror film is based on the true story of a couple who are inadvertently left behind by a scuba diving group and find themselves stranded in shark-infested waters. The film depicts their harrowing struggle for survival as they face the threat of circling sharks and the unforgiving elements of the open sea.
Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Michael E. Williamson, Cristina Zenarro, John Charles, Estelle Lau, Steve Lemme;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: horror, thriller, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 79 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Open Water” on the website imdb.com
“The Reef”, 2010
Director: Andrew Traucki
Directed by Andrew Traucki, this Australian horror film follows a group of friends who become stranded on a coral reef after their boat capsizes. As they attempt to swim to safety, they soon realize that they are being stalked by a deadly great white shark, leading to a desperate battle for survival in the open ocean.
Starring: Damian Walshe-Howling, Gyton Grantley, Adrienne Pickering, Zoe Naylor, Kieran Darcy-Smith, Mark Simpson;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: thriller, horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 88 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
These films about jaws offer audiences a thrilling and often harrowing exploration of humanity's primal fear of the unknown and the raw power of nature's most fearsome predators.
In conclusion, films about jaws often transcend their initial premise of monstrous aquatic predators, delving into deeper themes of fear, survival, and the primal struggle between humanity and nature. From the iconic terror of “Jaws” that redefined the thriller genre to contemporary explorations like “The Shallows” and “47 Meters Down,” these films not only entertain but also provoke reflection on our relationship with the ocean and the unknown. The enduring fascination with these narratives reveals a cultural anxiety about vulnerability and the unseen dangers lurking beneath the surface, ensuring that the legacy of jawed terror will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
