The Abyss

Movie

1989

2h 20m

PG-13

English

Adventure, Action, Thriller, Science Fiction

User Score:

7.7

Critic Score:

Watch on fuboTV

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 cha...

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The Abyss

PG-13

Movie

1989

2h 20m

English

Adventure, Action, Thriller, Science Fiction

Play Trailer

Watch on fuboTV

WATCHMODE

7.7

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

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Available in 2 other countries.

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Cast

Full Cast & Crew

Ed Harris

Virgil 'Bud' Brigman

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Lindsey Brigman

Michael Biehn

Lieutenant Hiram Coffey

Leo Burmester

Catton ‘Catfish’ De Vries

Todd Graff

Alan 'Hippy' Carnes

John Bedford Lloyd

Jammer Willis

Kimberly Scott

Lisa 'One Night' Standing

Chris Elliott

Bendix

J.C. Quinn

Arliss 'Sonny' Dawson

Pierce Oliver Brewer, Jr.

Lew Finler

Wilhite

Schoenick

Ensign Monk

Dwight Perry

Leland McBride

DeMarco

Captain

Barnes

Gerard Kirkhill

Dr. Berg

Bill Tyler

Anchorwoman

Young Woman

Woman Reporter

Anchorman

Directed By: James Cameron

Written By: James Cameron

Featured Comments/Tips

CloudspotterSupine says...

9 years ago

James Cameron is often prone to an overextension of his ambition, to mathematically-sound but cliche'd plotlines, and overall to making movies that are understandable as examples of how to make a AAA blockbusting piece of cinema that somehow shows no true artfulness whatsoever. So that would be an understandable perspective to come into The Abyss from-- But it surprises. The emotion that was so overwrought in Titanic shines as a component of a larger film, and the victimization of the alien that ruined Avatar is more compelling when those victims are really, truly alien. The Abyss is no true classic, but it is the most artful showing in James Cameron's filmography, and convincing acting throughout anchors the impact of the movie.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 40 0

nmahoney416 says...

5 years ago

All the underwater filming is impressive but the movie didn't feel special. It's plot was basic, the acting was fine, the special effects didn't age well. Still worth watching at least once.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 20 0

Jim222001 says...

10 months ago

The epic tsunami scene in the Special Edition is pretty much why James Cameron made this movie. He had a dream of a tsunami I believe. So it’s weird that he cut it out of the theatrical version. It is a little preachy in the end but a lot less preachy than movies made these days

Like - Dislike - Comment - 10 0

Jim222001 says...

4 years ago

The whole reason James Cameron made the movie. Was due to dreams of tsunamis. So it’s weird that scene is only in the director’s cut. With aliens threatening to crush humans with a giant wave. It adds more to the movie. Either way the Abyss was the strongest of the submarine underwater creature movies of 1989. Due to Cameron as director, fine effects and a great cast. As well as more of an original story than just Alien underwater. Which the other underwater movies from 1989 were like. The Abyss is more about peaceful aliens that don’t like the violence humans cause.

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Featured User Reviews

AndrewBloom

CONTAINS SPOILERS6/10 4 years ago

[5.8/10] James Cameron is a fine technician. He mounts technically impressive set pieces, which make the unfathomable seem plausible. Sometimes that comes in the form of mechanized conveyances colliding into one another. Sometimes it’s luminous alien creatures making contact with humanity. Sometim More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 10 0

$hubes

5/10 2 months ago

Decided to give this a watch after seeing it on another list of curated movies. It's definitely dated considerably as the acting in many, many scenes is just completely awful. At one point, "Lindsey" (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) is trying to convince "Bud" (her ex- or soon-to-be-ex played by Ed Har More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

kibasnowpaw

8/10 3 months ago

**Title:** "Rediscovering the Depths: A Furry's Perspective on 'The Abyss' and Modern Cinema's Contrast"

In the frozen expanses of HowlStrom, where the ice whispers ancient stories and the auroras dance with untold secrets, I, Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha of the Ice Wolf Clan, find solace in the art of ci More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Philharmonie

CONTAINS SPOILERS8/10 one year ago

Directors Cut:

Two thoughts at the beginning

There is a certain symmetry in the fact that a film that has as its motif the danger of nuclear weapons and radioactive material was shot in a decommissioned nuclear power plant.

Secondly, James Cameron's technical developments (Avatar 2) have ensured, More

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