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The Reef

Play trailer Poster for The Reef R 2010 1h 27m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer 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.
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The Reef

The Reef

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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 Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews May 28, 2013
2.5/4
...the film's final stretch is unexpectedly engrossing... Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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t C. @tdc36 Sep 21, 2026 I've seen this 5 times. It is the best shark movie ever made IMHO. See more
Elaine E @Cookie1965 Aug 22, 2026 I liked this movie. It was scary watching them each get picked off by that shark. Even more heart breaking at the end. You will never see me scuba diving, camping or hiking in the woods! This was a good movie and worth watching!!! See more
Ricardo D @RT43154676 May 3, 2026 Roteiro raso, atuações horríveis. Aquelas caretas dos atores para demonstrar medo, que que é isso? O filme deveria ser um curta metragem, pq nada de especial ocorre em grande parte do filme. Previsível saber quem vai morrer pela forma que o diretor os apresenta. Uma perca de tempo. See more
Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 27, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 27 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed on location off the coast of Australia and re-scripted in the United States of America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more
Theo D @Theo1 Jul 21, 2025 Brilliant film, full of tension a must see for any shark fan!! Loses a start as the ending did piss me off See more
MrAvocado T @RT76176845 Jan 14, 2025 Some of the acting and dialogue was a bit...awkward at times. The whole romantic backstory doesn't really pay off in any way, it just seems to be there to add some tension/character traits and extent the runtime. The whole "based on true events" tagged on to the front and back of the film is unnecessary, but I suppose the director saw Wolf Creek and liked the idea. Once the characters are in the open ocean, it was well done in terms of blending live shark footage with the actors and there is some tension to be had here, though there is really only so much you can do with it, it gets repetitive and then it ends somewhat abruptly. If you like shark films it's at least worth a watch but it's nothing spectacular. See more
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The Reef

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Reef

The Reef (2010) The Reef (2010) The Reef (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

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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