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The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
The eight scariest shark attack movies ever made, as Jaws turns 50
The scariest films tap into something primal. Shark attack movies may have begun with Jaws in 1975, but the genre endures because Jaws was merely the first to articulate a fear that nearly all of us have felt – the dread of what may be lurking below our feet in the watery depths below. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws' release on June 20, here are some of the most terrifying films – in no particular order – that tap into the age-old dynamic of man versus shark. 47 Meters Down (2017) 47 Meters Down is directed by Johannes Roberts, and stars Mandy Moore and Claire Holt as sisters. The film follows the two as they go on a shark-cage diving expedition off the coast of Mexico. During the dive, the winch snaps and the cage drops 47 metres to the ocean floor. As the oxygen depletes and panic ensues, sharks begin to circle the cage. Made on a modest budget of $5 million, the film grossed more than $60 million in box-office returns. The small budget allowed for a larger focus on creating a suspenseful and toe-curling experience without the need for bombastic effects. Open Water (2003) In 1998, Tom and Eileen Lonergan went out with a scuba diving group on the Great Barrier Reef, only to be accidentally left behind. They were never seen again. Open Water, from director Chris Kentis, imagines what may have happened to them into one of the bleakest films of the century thus far. And while it does eventually build to violent confrontations with the ocean's apex predators, Open Wate r is at its most chilling in anticipation of that fateful event. And because it was made on a low-budget in pseudo-documentary style, it's impossible to divorce this film from the reality that inspired it. For once, it's not only a movie. Jaws (1975) Director Steven Spielberg has made a plethora of masterpieces in his decades-long career, but even if he'd stopped after Jaws, his reputation would have been sealed. Jaws remains a masterclass in suspense filmmaking and the birth of the modern blockbuster, all with richly rendered characters. But what's most surprising is, even 50 years later, it's still deeply unnerving. A true classic - and should remain a film each generation discovers at a young age when they're ready for something scary. Dangerous Animals (2025) Written by Nick Lepard and directed by Sean Byrne, Dangerous Animals may have had its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, but this is no highbrow art film. The film follows Hassie Harrison's Zephyr, an American surfer kidnapped by a shark-obsessed psychopath Bruce Tucker, played by Jai Courtney, who holds her captive aboard his trawler for ritualistic shark-feeding sessions. The movie may be the latest shark-based horror flick in a long line to deliver nautical scares, but many are calling it the best in years. Combining the fear of sharks with the demented mind of a serial killer, Dangerous Animals, now in cinemas, delivers a truly new experience to the subgenre. The Shallows (2016) Less is more. Rarely is that more clear than in director Jaume Collet-Serra's The Shallows. There are only two main characters to be found here – one is a medical student named Nancy Adams (Blake Lively), who goes out surfing and is stranded on a rock 180 metres from shore, and the other is a great white shark. In the film's pulse-pounding 86-minute runtime, Adams must find a way back to safety. Jaws 2 (1978) While it's often dismissed because of the greatness of its predecessor, Jaws 2 deserves a second look. Sure, it may not reach the heights of the first, but it's a cracking horror film in its own right – revealing the monster far earlier and upping the body count. Ultimately, Jaws 2 is more comparable to Halloween or Friday the 13th, only the shark is the slasher picking off the core characters one by one instead of Jason or Michael Myers. Give it a shot, and you'll find it's one of the most underrated fright flicks of the 1970s. Deep Blue Sea (1999) The sci-fi horror directed by Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin, who previously directed Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger may not be realistic, but it delivers the goods. Set in an isolated underwater research facility, the film follows a group of scientists who are genetically engineering mako sharks to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Things go horribly wrong when the sharks attain intelligence and turn on the scientists. Renowned for its fast-paced action, suspenseful atmosphere and surprising plot twists, Deep Blue Sea features a strong cast that includes Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J and Samuel L Jackson. The film has become a cult favourite for its mixture of CGI and animatronic effects, which were provided by Stan Winston Studios that previously worked on Jurassic Park and Aliens. The Reef (2010) Australian survival horror film The Reef is written, directed and produced by Andrew Traucki. The filmmaker specialises in survival thrillers, but this remains his best. Inspired by real-life events, the film follows five friends whose boat capsizes on the way to Indonesia after striking a coral reef, forcing them into shark-infested waters as they attempt a perilous swim to safety. The Reef is another stellar example of a shark attack film that delivers scares without a massive budget. Filmed on location in Queensland, the movie uses actual great white shark footage mixed with on-set scenes. If there is one true hidden gem to be discovered from this list, it's The Reef. Its sequel, however, is more of a mixed bag.
The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
The 8 scariest shark attack movies ever made, as Jaws turns 50
The scariest films tap into something primal. Shark attack movies may have begun with Jaws in 1975, but the genre endures because Jaws was merely the first to articulate a fear that nearly all of us have felt – the dread of what may be lurking below our feet in the watery depths below. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws' release on June 20, here are some of the most terrifying films – in no particular order – that tap into the age-old dynamic of man versus shark. 47 Meters Down (2017) 47 Meters Down is directed by Johannes Roberts, and stars Mandy Moore and Claire Holt as sisters. The film follows the two as they go on a shark-cage diving expedition off the coast of Mexico. During the dive, the winch snaps and the cage drops 47 metres to the ocean floor. As the oxygen depletes and panic ensues, sharks begin to circle the cage. Made on a modest budget of $5 million, the film grossed more than $60 million in box-office returns. The small budget allowed for a larger focus on creating a suspenseful and toe-curling experience without the need for bombastic effects. Open Water (2004) In 1998, Tom and Eileen Lonergan went out with a scuba diving group on the Great Barrier Reef, only to be accidentally left behind. They were never seen again. Open Water, from director Chris Kentis, imagines what may have happened to them into one of the bleakest films of the century thus far. And while it does eventually build to violent confrontations with the ocean's apex predators, Open Wate r is at its most chilling in anticipation of that fateful event. And because it was made on a low-budget in pseudo-documentary style, it's impossible to divorce this film from the reality that inspired it. For once, it's not only a movie. Jaws (1975) Director Steven Spielberg has made a plethora of masterpieces in his decades-long career, but even if he'd stopped after Jaws, his reputation would have been sealed. Jaws remains a masterclass in suspense filmmaking and the birth of the modern blockbuster, all with richly rendered characters. But what's most surprising is, even 50 years later, it's still deeply unnerving. A true classic - and should remain a film each generation discovers at a young age when they're ready for something scary. Dangerous Animals (2025) Written by Nick Lepard and directed by Sean Byrne, Dangerous Animals may have had its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, but this is no highbrow art film. The film follows Hassie Harrison's Zephyr, an American surfer kidnapped by a shark-obsessed psychopath Bruce Tucker, played by Jai Courtney, who holds her captive aboard his trawler for ritualistic shark-feeding sessions. The movie may be the latest shark-based horror flick in a long line to deliver nautical scares, but many are calling it the best in years. Combining the fear of sharks with the demented mind of a serial killer, Dangerous Animals, now in cinemas, delivers a truly new experience to the subgenre. The Shallows (2016) Less is more. Rarely is that more clear than in director Jaume Collet-Serra's The Shallows. There are only two main characters to be found here – one is a medical student named Nancy Adams (Blake Lively), who goes out surfing and is stranded on a rock 180 metres from shore, and the other is a great white shark. In the film's pulse-pounding 86-minute runtime, Adams must find a way back to safety. Jaws 2 (1978) While it's often dismissed because of the greatness of its predecessor, Jaws 2 deserves a second look. Sure, it may not reach the heights of the first, but it's a cracking horror film in its own right – revealing the monster far earlier and upping the body count. Ultimately, Jaws 2 is more comparable to Halloween or Friday the 13th, only the shark is the slasher picking off the core characters one by one instead of Jason or Michael Myers. Give it a shot, and you'll find it's one of the most underrated fright flicks of the 1970s. Deep Blue Sea (1999) The sci-fi horror directed by Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin, who previously directed Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger may not be realistic, but it delivers the goods. Set in an isolated underwater research facility, the film follows a group of scientists who are genetically engineering mako sharks to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Things go horribly wrong when the sharks attain intelligence and turn on the scientists. Renowned for its fast-paced action, suspenseful atmosphere and surprising plot twists, Deep Blue Sea features a strong cast that includes Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J and Samuel L Jackson. The film has become a cult favourite for its mixture of CGI and animatronic effects, which were provided by Stan Winston Studios that previously worked on Jurassic Park and Aliens. The Reef (2010) Australian survival horror film The Reef is written, directed and produced by Andrew Traucki. The filmmaker specialises in survival thrillers, but this remains his best. Inspired by real-life events, the film follows five friends whose boat capsizes on the way to Indonesia after striking a coral reef, forcing them into shark-infested waters as they attempt a perilous swim to safety. The Reef is another stellar example of a shark attack film that delivers scares without a massive budget. Filmed on location in Queensland, the movie uses actual great white shark footage mixed with on-set scenes. If there is one true hidden gem to be discovered from this list, it's The Reef. Its sequel, however, is more of a mixed bag.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
H2O: Just Add Water star welcomes first child with husband
Cariba Heine has and her husband Matthew Pongrass have welcomed their first child together. The H2O: Just Add Water star, 36, announced the exciting news on Wednesday on Instagram. 'Besotted with this baby boy,' she captioned an intimate black-and-white image of herself cradling the newborn. Fans, friends, and her fellow Mako mermaids rushed to congratulate Cariba on the new addition to the family. 'Awwwww congrats!' Claire Holt, who starred as Emma Gilbert on H2O alongside Cariba, commented with a string of cute emojis. 'Our Rikki got a mini Rikki,' one excited fan commented, referencing Cariba's character in the Australian hit series, while another posted a humorous GIF of the character telling Phoebe Tonkin's Cleo "Sorry I don't do kids" in an early episode. Cariba announced her pregnancy in December last year, a mere six months after she and her husband tied the knot in Tuscany, Italy. The pair had been dating for some time before Matthew popped the question in 2022. 'Spoilt doesn't even cut it but pregnancy is HARD WORK. So I'll take it,' she wrote alongside a photo taken on holiday in her native Cape Town, South Africa. Cariba is best known for her role as Rikki Chadwick in the kids mermaid TV series H2O: Just Add Water. The beloved Channel Ten television series followed three teenagers — Emma, Cleo and Rikki — who transform into mermaids whenever they come into contact with water. Her character on the show, which ran from 2006-2010, was a mermaid with special powers who was initially 'aloof and rebellious.' Airing back in 2006 and running for three seasons, H20: Just Add Water was a huge success in Australia and paved the way to Hollywood stardom for several of its stars, including Phoebe Tonkin, Claire Holt and Luke Mitchell. A third series aired due to worldwide popular demand before the show ended in 2010 and the cast have since bid farewell to Mako Island and moved onto bigger productions. Cariba appeared in all three seasons of the show, in addition to its spin-off series Mako: Island Of Secrets. The South African-born actress also starred in surfing television series Blue Water High as Bridget Sanchez for its third and final season which began filming in 2007. The show followed the lives of a young group of students at Solar Blue, a high-performance surf academy, and aired on ABC1 and Nickelodeon. She later took on minor roles in several Australian television shows and films, including nine episodes of the children's drama Dance Academy and as bruntte villain Ebony in Home and Away. Cariba also got her big break in the US starring in Everyone Is Doing Great in 2021, alongside fellow Australian actor Alexandra Park. Despite all three H20 stars continuing successful on-screen careers, with Tonkin and Holt also co-starring in Vampire Diaries prequel The Originals together, the Gold Coast drama series has continued to be a connection point for fans. The series also experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Covid-pandemic as it was introduced to a whole new generation and went viral on TikTok. Cariba, who was 18 when the show began, told Yahoo Lifestyle that she began to properly appreciate the series' impact. 'As I got older, I really started to appreciate how impactful the series was, especially for younger girls,' she said. The actress said many fans have reached out to tell her Rikki taught them it is okay not to be 'the agreeable, nice, obedient girl'. 'That sort of stuff is really beautiful, I love hearing that,' she adds. 'That's really special to hear that a character you played when you were so young, to not even understand it, has helped people grow up and feel like they can be themselves more.' That said, she told the publication she did not think a reboot starring herself and her co-stars would work because the show hinged on the leads being teenagers.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
From see-through slips to billowing ballgowns: Aussie star Claire Holt channels movie star glamour at the Cannes Film Festival
Aussie actress Claire Holt stole the spotlight at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The Vampire Diaries star dressed to impress, making a number of fashionable appearances at the event. For the premiere of Wes Anderson's latest film The Phoenician Scheme, Claire wore a billowing Carolina Herrera frock featuring a floral design comprising of pink and red poppies. The strapless dress accentuated her tiny waist and hugged her curves. The mother-of-three accessorised with a dazzling diamond necklace by New York jeweller Marli. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Wearing her signature blonde locks in waves across her shoulders, she finished off the look with a smoky eye and blushed cheeks. The night before the annual film festival, the H20: Just Add Water alum attended a swanky do hosted by Campari. Claire donned an all black ensemble, opting for a patterned mini dress and matching blazer for the event. The star was spotted posing up a storm with stylist Amarsana Gendunova, Aussie model Shanina Shaik and Emily in Paris' Lucien Laviscount. Earlier that day, the blonde bombshell took to the streets of Cannes in an off-duty Giulia Gurman slip dress. The sheer brown dress, which featured a white lace detail on the chest, left little to the imagination, showing off the star's trim pins and cleavage. She channeled summer with a sun-kissed, glowy makeup look and tousled hair. Later on, Claire attended the Fiuggi party wearing a sparkly Missoni blazer with a matching mini skirt, finished off with strappy heels. Claire's recent visit to the French Rivera comes after her quick trip to the US, where she watched her H20: Just Add Water and Vampire Diaries co-star Phoebe Tonkin tie the knot. The Aussie actress, 35, married her fiancé Bernard Lagrange in a chic ceremony in New York City. Phoebe and her art dealer beau announced their engagement in October 2024 after keeping their relationship completely under wraps. Several big name Aussie stars, including Margot Robbie, Teresa Palmer, Samara Weaving and Lara Worthington, joined the happy couple for what appeared to be a weekend of festivities. Bella Heathcote, Jessica McNamee and Ilona Hamer also made their way onto the guest list for the two-day celebrations. Other high-profile guests included British actress Annabelle Wallis, former bass player of The Donnas Maya Ford, Canadian actress Nesta Cooper and Mexican singer and actress Eiza González. During one wedding festivity, Phoebe flaunted her figure in a newsprint gown, similar to Carrie Bradshaw's 1998 Dior number in Sex and the City. Several big name Aussie stars, including Margot Robbie, Teresa Palmer, Samara Weaving and Lara Worthington, joined the happy couple for what appeared to be a weekend of festivities Meanwhile, the bride rocked two very chic looks for her big day. For her nuptials, Phoebe wore a stunning white sequined Chanel dress with floral detailing, while Bernard opted for a classic black suit. One happy photo of the couple, taken by actress Maya, saw Phoebe and Bernard posing together in a vintage photo booth. 'Happily ever after,' said one caption, while another said: 'What a weekend celebrating this angel.'
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
H20 Just Add Water star welcomes a baby boy: 'Besotted'
Cariba Heine has and her husband Matthew Pongrass have welcomed their first child together. The H2O: Just Add Water star, 36, announced the exciting news on Wednesday on Instagram. 'Besotted with this baby boy,' she captioned an intimate black-and-white image of herself cradling the newborn. Fans, friends, and her fellow Mako mermaids rushed to congratulate Cariba on the new addition to the family. 'Awwwww congrats!' Claire Holt, who starred as Emma Gilbert on H2O alongside Cariba, commented with a string of cute emojis. 'Our Rikki got a mini Rikki,' one excited fan commented, referencing Cariba's character in the Australian hit series, while another posted a humorous GIF of the character telling Phoebe Tonkin's Cleo "Sorry I don't do kids" in an early episode. Cariba announced her pregnancy in December last year, a mere six months after she and her husband tied the knot in Tuscany, Italy. The pair had been dating for some time before Matthew popped the question in 2022. 'Spoilt doesn't even cut it but pregnancy is HARD WORK. So I'll take it,' she wrote alongside a photo taken on holiday in her native Cape Town, South Africa. Cariba is best known for her role as Rikki Chadwick in the kids mermaid TV series H2O: Just Add Water. The beloved Channel Ten television series followed three teenagers — Emma, Cleo and Rikki — who transform into mermaids whenever they come into contact with water. Her character on the show, which ran from 2006-2010, was a mermaid with special powers who was initially 'aloof and rebellious.' Airing back in 2006 and running for three seasons, H20: Just Add Water was a huge success in Australia and paved the way to Hollywood stardom for several of its stars, including Phoebe Tonkin, Claire Holt and Luke Mitchell. A third series aired due to worldwide popular demand before the show ended in 2010 and the cast have since bid farewell to Mako Island and moved onto bigger productions. Cariba appeared in all three seasons of the show, in addition to its spin-off series Mako: Island Of Secrets. The South African-born actress also starred in surfing television series Blue Water High as Bridget Sanchez for its third and final season which began filming in 2007. The show followed the lives of a young group of students at Solar Blue, a high-performance surf academy, and aired on ABC1 and Nickelodeon. She later took on minor roles in several Australian television shows and films, including nine episodes of the children's drama Dance Academy and as bruntte villain Ebony in Home and Away. Cariba also got her big break in the US starring in Everyone Is Doing Great in 2021, alongside fellow Australian actor Alexandra Park. Despite all three H20 stars continuing successful on-screen careers, with Tonkin and Holt also co-starring in Vampire Diaries prequel The Originals together, the Gold Coast drama series has continued to be a connection point for fans. The series also experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Covid-pandemic as it was introduced to a whole new generation and went viral on TikTok. Cariba, who was 18 when the show began, told Yahoo Lifestyle that she began to properly appreciate the series' impact. 'As I got older, I really started to appreciate how impactful the series was, especially for younger girls,' she said. The actress said many fans have reached out to tell her Rikki taught them it is okay not to be 'the agreeable, nice, obedient girl'. 'That sort of stuff is really beautiful, I love hearing that,' she adds. 'That's really special to hear that a character you played when you were so young, to not even understand it, has helped people grow up and feel like they can be themselves more.' That said, she told the publication she did not think a reboot starring herself and her co-stars would work because the show hinged on the leads being teenagers.
