![DENIZENS OF THE DEEP](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5197/395633/5e22f4d080ba9/DENIZENS-OF-THE-DEEP.jpg)
GIVEN THAT 71% OF THE EARTH’S surface is water-covered – and, as you’ve doubtless heard, that figure is rising – it seems inconceivable that 80% of the ocean is “unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored”, according to the National Ocean Service.
It’s an oft-repeated fact that we know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than the deep seafloor. Marine biologist Paul Snelgrove, University Research Professor at the Department of Ocean Sciences and Biology Department of Memorial University of Newfoundland, tells SFX: “The joy of deep-sea exploration is not the possibility of new weird and wonderful species, but the certainty of it. It represents Earth’s largest frontier for discovery.”
So what fantastical creatures reside there? What we know of the truth – in the case of the giant spider crab, the pacific viperfish and the vampire squid, at least – is quite literally stranger than fiction…
Cue Underwater: a new blockbuster starring Kristen Stewart that could prove the missing link between her shallow popcorn fare (Charlie’s Angels, the Twilight franchise) and deeper, more daring left field work (Personal Shopper is the best supernatural psychological thriller you’ve probably never heard of).
With an estimated budget of $65 million, Underwater is the third film from director William Eubank – a “survival thriller mixed with a bit of horror” is how he puts it – after smaller-scale sci-fiindies Love (2011) and The Signal (2014).
“There’s nothing more exciting than thinking, what could be out there?” he tells SFX (on his birthday!) from Hollywood over a crackly phone line, conjuring images of him holed up in a dark research station some 5,000 miles from land, seven miles below the ocean’s surface, just like the characters in the film.
This story is from the January 2020 edition of SFX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2020 edition of SFX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![THE DYING DAYS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/YUq1l0XwY1715779742563/THE-DYING-DAYS.jpg)
THE DYING DAYS
RUSSELL T DAVIES, NCUTI GATWA AND MILLIE GIBSON LOOK AHEAD TO THE TWOPART SEASON FINALE
![BEWARE THE DUCHESS!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/ALWXHCMee1715779304453/BEWARE-THE-DUCHESS.jpg)
BEWARE THE DUCHESS!
Oh, it’s been such a laugh.
![Demon Daze](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/KpWPEtU3W1715779140194/DEMON-DAZE.jpg)
Demon Daze
Archie launches its first Premium Event as Judgment Day comes to Riverdale
![JEDI SLAYER ONE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/KRToIITnd1715778140931/JEDI-SLAYER-ONE.jpg)
JEDI SLAYER ONE
A STAR WARS MURDER MYSTERY FROM THE CREATOR OF RUSSIAN DOLL? SFX GOES BACK TO THE HIGH REPUBLIC ERA TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE OF THE ACOLYTE
![Children Of The Evolution](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/gBXc0vjVr1715777948927/CHILDREN-OF-THE-EVOLUTION.jpg)
Children Of The Evolution
Nu-heroes assemble in Marvel's brave new Ultimates universe
![Atlas Smith And J-Lo](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/jNmrpvS9I1715777712845/ATLAS-SMITH-AND-JLO.jpg)
Atlas Smith And J-Lo
Atlas director Brad Peyton on his intergalactic AI actioner
![Pride Of Place](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/iReeCwlZK1715777603367/PRIDE-OF-PLACE.jpg)
Pride Of Place
Wedding bells ring for Mystique and Destiny in this year's Marvel Voices: Pride
![EightLegged Freak](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/f27ogAWKK1715777413301/EIGHTLEGGED-FREAK.jpg)
EightLegged Freak
The director of the Alieninfluenced Sting talks about his spider horror
![Beauty And The Beast](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/kpgZKPSrJ1715776942916/BEAUTY-AND-THE-BEAST.jpg)
Beauty And The Beast
Director Bertrand Bonello talks his vision of an artificial tomorrow in The Beast
![Paint It Black](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5197/1700064/oc2giRuTE1715776061636/PAINT-IT-BLACK.jpg)
Paint It Black
The Orphan Black story continues with Echoes, a new series set 30 years after the original