Idris Elba is set to star in Above the Below, an upcoming science-fiction survival thriller that takes audiences on a terrifying journey from outer space to the depths of the ocean. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on 4 December 2026, through Lionsgate.
Elba also co-directs the film alongside Martin Owen, who developed the original concept. The cast includes Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Caitlin Fitzgerald, while Elizabeth Morris, Matthew Mitchell, and Vicki Sargent are responsible for the screenplay.
Rated R and running for 90 minutes, Above the Below promises a tense, claustrophobic survival story where every second counts.
What Is Above the Below About?
The film follows three astronauts who survive a catastrophic fall from space, only to discover that their nightmare is far from over. Instead of reaching safety, they find themselves trapped deep beneath the ocean's surface, surrounded by crushing pressure and with a rapidly diminishing oxygen supply. With little time remaining, the astronauts must work together to find a way back to the surface. However, their desperate circumstances force them to make impossible choices, raising the terrifying possibility that not everyone will survive.
The story combines the isolation of space with the dangers of the deep sea, creating a survival thriller in which the characters face both physical and psychological challenges.
The Unusual Inspiration Behind Above the Below
Co-director Martin Owen revealed that the idea for the film came from a dream in which he imagined himself falling through space, plunging into the sea, and sinking into darkness. The vivid experience became the foundation for Above the Below, eventually evolving into a screenplay that explores survival under extraordinary circumstances.
