Controversial and Terrifying New Movie Hits #3 on Netflix—and the Trailer Alone Is Giving Me Nightmares

At the heart of the film is Ocean Ramsey—a marine biologist, conservationist and viral sensation known for swimming cage-free with massive sharks. Her up-close encounters have sparked global fascination, racked up millions of views… and drawn plenty of criticism. While her fans see her as a fearless advocate giving a voice to misunderstood predators, others, including scientists, say she’s putting herself, others and the animals at risk for the sake of clicks, according to Netflix’s Tudum. Some even argue she’s blurring the line between activism and self-promotion.

The doc leans into the controversy, featuring interviews with marine biologists, Indigenous knowledge holders and fellow conservationists—both supportive and skeptical. Add in the absolutely stunning underwater cinematography and you’ve got a film that’s as thought-provoking as it is pulse-pounding.

Still, the trailer alone gave me anxiety. Ocean can be seen casually swimming next to enormous sharks while calmly narrating, “I’m not a crazy person… I’m hyper aware of what they’re capable of.” Then comes the kicker: a 20-foot shark approaches the surface as she whispers, “Oh my God.”