The new Above the Below trailer puts an unexpected spin on the astronaut survival thriller: surviving the trip back to Earth is only the beginning. Idris Elba co-directs and stars in the survival thriller alongside Caitlin FitzGerald and Hero Fiennes Tiffin.
Rather than leaving its astronauts stranded in space, Above the Below sends them crashing into the ocean, where they face an entirely different nightmare beneath the surface.
When three astronauts survive a catastrophic fall from space, their spacecraft plunges into the ocean and becomes trapped in the crushing depths. With oxygen rapidly running out, the crew must figure out how to reach the surface before every breath becomes their last.
The unusual premise essentially flips the traditional space survival movie on its head. The astronauts have made it back to Earth, but instead of the vacuum of space threatening their lives, they're surrounded by water with no easy way out.
As their oxygen supply dwindles, the survivors face impossible decisions over who will risk everything to reach the surface — and who might have to be left behind.
Above the Below also marks Idris Elba’s return to feature directing after making his directorial debut with the 2018 crime drama Yardie. This time, Elba shares directing duties with Martin Owen while also starring in the film.
Lionsgate presents the Future Artists Entertainment production.
Above the Below opens in U.S. theaters December 4, 2026.
Genre: Suspense, Thriller Rating: R; for language Runtime: 85mins Directed by: Idris Elba and Martin Owen Written by: Elizabeth Morris, Matthew Mitchell, and Vicki Sargent Created by: Martin Owen Produced by: Gina Carter, Matt Williams Cast: Idris Elba, Caitlin FitzGerald, Hero Fiennes Tiffin