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The Abyss

The Abyss

Adventure · Thriller · Science Fiction · 1989

A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.

Movie details

The Abyss

“When you get there, you will understand.”

1989 Adventure · Thriller · Science Fiction 2h 20m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.4 / 10

Community rating

A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Abyss?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

James Cameron

Written by

James Cameron

Ed Harris

Ed Harris

Virgil 'Bud' Brigman

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Lindsey Brigman

Michael Biehn

Michael Biehn

Lieutenant Hiram Coffey

Leo Burmester

Leo Burmester

Catton ‘Catfish’ De Vries

Todd Graff

Todd Graff

Alan 'Hippy' Carnes

John Bedford Lloyd

John Bedford Lloyd

Jammer Willis

Kimberly Scott

Kimberly Scott

Lisa 'One Night' Standing

Court is in session

Put The Abyss on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.