The Reef

76%

Tomatometer

17 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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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)

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.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2011

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

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.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 14, 2011

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

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

Rated: 2.5/4

May 28, 2013

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

FEARnet

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

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 5, 2011

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Heather Wixson

Dread Central

Traucki manages to keep the tension running throughout the film's 94-minute runtime even before the shark ever shows up to make dinner out of the cast.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 10, 2011

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Glenn Lovell

CinemaDope

... squirm-worthy survival adventure ... Go ahead, take the plunge. 'The Reef' is an authentic nail-biter (toe-nibbler?) that lives up to its fun come-on: 'Pray that you drown first.'

Rated: 3/4

Jul 18, 2011

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Audience Reviews

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Audience Member scary and tense an actual nail-biter of a thriller the terror takes shape when everyone is forced to swim for their lives against the perilous waters and escape being eaten by a shark in the process the viewer will get creeped out and the psychosis of it all is all the more terrifying when no one is around thank goodness these characters are very likable and not disposable B-movie horror to be tossed out really is scary when the footage of the shark is edited and filmed with such precision lackluster of an ending but you do learn not to ever go swimming in the open currents again Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Dave C Neither a horror, nor suspenseful, it is more of a drama loosely based on a true story - which is intriguing, filmed with real sharks (I've searched for the documentary, but can't find it), so at least there is a spine of truth to the story. Besides all of that, it doesn't really have anything of substance and kind of floats along at the same low level of entertainment from start to finish. I didn't care for any of the characters, and so had no real thoughts about the outcome once revealed. I would likely enjoy the 'making of' documentary Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/17/24 Full Review Megan e Good low-budget shark movie based on a true story! Acting is ok. Nice thrills! 3.5 stars Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/11/24 Full Review Clayton D Gripping once in the water, this thrilling film needs no CGi underwater Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review rik b In my opinion this is the second greatest shark movie in history and just a step under JAWS. Perfection at its best ever. If you want total and complete thriller intense stuff, this is the movie. Shockingly realistic. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/24 Full Review Diana S As creature features go, it's a cut above. It's kind of like Open Water, but the characters are given more challenges. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Reef

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Cast & Crew

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)

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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: Lightning Entertainment, Screen NSW, Screen Australia
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)