Leviathan
An isolated deep-sea mining crew battles a genetically mutated predator unleashed from a Soviet wreck.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- claustrophobic
- dread-filled
- visceral
- late night horror marathon
- 1980s genre double feature
What critics said
Critics found the film a competently staged but derivative underwater horror thriller whose strong cast and potent premise were undermined by weak thrills and formulaic kills.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The mining crew is trapped in an ocean-floor base while the creature hunts through its restricted corridors.
The Soviet wreck carries experimental cargo that causes a lethal genetic transformation.
The film repeatedly places its characters amid cramped mining tunnels, underwater equipment, and dim industrial interiors.
The inciting discovery is a Soviet shipwreck whose dangerous scientific cargo threatens an American-led deep-sea mining operation.
Films like Leviathan, and why
Alien
claustrophobic science fiction horror, isolated industrial setting, and an implacable creature threat
The Thing
underwater survival horror, crew paranoia, and a genetically altered monster
DeepStar Six
deep-sea workplace setting, monster attacks, and pulpy 1980s thriller energy
Sphere
undersea science fiction suspense, confined environments, and escalating survival pressure
Movie Details
- Director
- George P. Cosmatos
- Release Date
- 1989-03-17
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (589)
Cast
- Peter Weller
- Richard Crenna
- Amanda Pays
- Daniel Stern
- Ernie Hudson
- Michael Carmine
- Lisa Eilbacher
- Héctor Elizondo
- Meg Foster
- Eugene Lipinski
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Leviathan about?
- An isolated deep-sea mining crew battles a genetically mutated predator unleashed from a Soviet wreck.
- What is Leviathan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Leviathan as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Leviathan violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Leviathan as graphic.
- What did critics think of Leviathan?
- Critics found the film a competently staged but derivative underwater horror thriller whose strong cast and potent premise were undermined by weak thrills and formulaic kills.
- Which films are like Leviathan?
- Films with a similar feel include Alien, The Thing, DeepStar Six, and Sphere.
- How long is Leviathan?
- Leviathan runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Leviathan?
- In United States, Leviathan is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
