Summary

• Under Paris is an unconventional killer shark movie featuring a strong cast that helps sell its implausible premise.
• Largely implausible but entertaining, the movie requires viewers to suspend disbelief for a gripping experience.
• The personal vendetta and desperate scientists in the plot contribute to the generally good reviews received by Under Paris.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Under Paris

Under Paris is an unconventional riff on the killer shark movie subgenre, that succeeds in spite of its unusual premise thanks to the strong performances of its cast. Like many movies that feature real creatures run amok, Under Paris requires viewers to suspend their disbelief for almost all of its runtime. While this makes the movie largely implausible, it doesn't detract from the entertainment – a balancing act only made possible because of the actors involved.

As its title alludes, Under Paris follows a lethal giant fish patrolling the waters of the Seine. Discovered just days before a triathlon tournament is scheduled to take place, the movie features earnest scientists desperately trying to convince officials to take the threat seriously, and a surprising personal vendetta that connects the shark to a tragedy in the protagonist's past. All this makes the movie a gripping experience – explaining Under Paris' generally good reviews. As with any movie, however, Under Paris relies on its cast to help sell some of the more incredulous aspects of the story.

Bérénice Bejo As Sophia

Bérénice Bejo Is 47 Years Old

• Active since 1993

Actor: Born in Buenos Aires, French-Argentine actress Bérénice Bejo is the biggest star to appear in Under Paris. Her career has spanned over three decades, encoming a range of high-profile movies and TV appearances. While she established herself with more minor roles in Hollywood projects such as A Knight's Tale, her most prominent performance to-date came in the acclaimed French production The Artist – for which she was nominated for an Academy Award.

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Character: The main protagonist of Under Paris, Sophia is a marine biologist who suffered immense personal tragedy at the hands of the shark that now stalks the city. After her previous experience with the shark, Sophia carries immense personal trauma. However, this makes her more determined to save the city as the story develops.

Léa Léviant As Mika

Léa Léviant Has Been Acting Since 2016

• Active since 2016

Actor: A breakout French actress, Léa Léviant has appeared in 11 movies and TV shows since her debut in 2016. Although unknown outside of French-language productions, she has proven her credentials in projects such as the surreal romantic comedy I Am Not An Easy Man. Beyond Under Paris, however, her most prominent role has been in the TV series Mortel.

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Character: An activist whose idealistic approach brings her into conflict with some of the movie's more pragmatic characters, Mika is a pivotal player in the fight against the shark. As the story progresses she becomes increasingly skeptical of authority. In fact, as the action necessary to stop the shark becomes clear, Mika becomes an antagonistic presence, despite her good intentions.

Nassim Lyes As Adil

Nassim Lyes Is 36 Years Old

• Active since 2010

Actor: Born in Nîmes, Nassim Lyes has had a prolific acting career since his 2010 debut. Accruing 44 movies and TV appearances in 14 years, Lyes has appeared in a range of English and French-language productions. His most well-known projects include Mayhem, Sixteen, and the TV series Cardo.

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Character: One of Under Paris' most heroic figures, Adil is a key player in the narrative. Not only is he a captain in the River Brigade, who are essential in tracking down the shark, but he is also Sophia's main love interest. This makes him pivotal to all of Under Paris' action, also playing a key role in the film's explosive finale.

Anaïs Parello As Jade

Anaïs Parello Is 33 Years Old

• Active since 2014

Actor: Despite only making her acting debut in 2014, Anaïs Parello has already featured in over 50 movies and TV shows. The French-Spanish actress has appeared in both French and Spanish-language productions, highlighting her versatility. Although Under Paris is probably her most recognizable movie role, she has featured in several popular TV shows.

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Character: As a researcher, Jade is central in furthering the Under Paris characters' understanding of the threat they face. Although her warnings often go unheeded, she nonetheless helps make the stakes clear to the audience – as well as explain how and why the shark has arrived in the city. Only when it's too late do the authorities start to take her claims seriously.

Under Paris ing Cast And Characters

Anne Marivin as The Mayor – Much like the notorious figure in Jaws, the mayor in Under Paris displays incredible disregard in putting the city in danger. Anne Marivin is an experienced 50-year-old actress whose credits include Welcome to the Sticks and Tell No One.

Nagisa Morimoto as Ben – An ocean campaigner and tech expert, Ben is also Mika's lover. Morimoto's most notable role beyond Under Paris is as Park Hill Waitress in the 2018 movie Greta.

Aurelia Petit as Angele – Chief of the River Brigade, Angele is another authority figure in Under Paris whose advice is ignored by vested interests. Petit has previously starred in projects such as The Science of Sleep and Personal Shopper.