Alicia Silverstone, known for her iconic roles in Clueless and Batman & Robin, has seen her 2022 shark horror thriller The Requin unexpectedly climb the ranks of Netflix's most-watched movies. Currently sitting at No. 4 on the U.S. top 10 list (according to FlixPatrol), the film is experiencing a second life on the streaming platform, just two spots below the newer shark movie Thrash at No. 2. This resurgence highlights the enduring appetite for shark-related horror, even when critical reception is lukewarm.

Plot and Cast of The Requin

Written and directed by Le-Van Kiet, The Requin centers on Jaelyn (Alicia Silverstone) and her husband Kyle (James Tupper), who are vacationing at a luxury oceanfront villa in Vietnam. A massive tropical storm devastates their resort, leaving them stranded at sea on a small piece of debris. As they struggle to survive dehydration, injury, and the elements, they soon realize that a predatory shark is circling beneath them. The film also features Deirdre O'Connell (The Penguin) and Jennifer Mudge (Hack) in supporting roles.

The movie was shot primarily in Florida and Vietnam, utilizing a mix of practical effects and CGI to create the shark and storm sequences. Silverstone, a passionate environmental activist, saw the film as an opportunity to explore humanity's strained relationship with nature. In an earlier interview with Looper, she noted, "[Sharks hurt] so few people ... but when they do, it's just like when bears come into a neighborhood or coyotes, they're coming because we've taken their land."

Critical and Commercial Reception

Upon its release in early 2022, The Requin made a barely visible splash at the box office. With a budget of $8.5 million, it earned only about $130,000 worldwide—a significant financial disappointment. Critics were largely unimpressed, handing the film a woeful 18% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score was even lower at 6%. Most reviews criticized the clichéd script, weak character development, and lackluster special effects. One prominent critic called it "a dull, tepid retread of better shark movies." Despite the panning, the film has found a new audience on Netflix, driven perhaps by the genre's cult appeal and the curiosity of viewers who missed it the first time.

The resurgence of The Requin is not entirely surprising. Shark horror movies have a devoted fan base that often defies critical consensus. The success of The Shallows (2016) and the ongoing popularity of the Sharknado franchise demonstrate that audiences are drawn to the primal fear of being hunted in the water. Even poorly reviewed shark films can find life on streaming platforms due to low barriers to viewership and the "so bad it's good" phenomenon.

Context: Shark Movie Genre and Netflix Trends

The shark movie genre has a long and storied history, from the groundbreaking Jaws (1975) to the more recent The Meg (2018) and its sequel. However, many entries in the subgenre are met with critical dismissal, yet they consistently find audiences. Netflix has become a haven for such content, with titles like 47 Meters Down and Under Paris drawing significant viewership. Thrash, which debuted on Netflix in June 2025, has also performed well despite a 43% critic score and a 24% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its presence likely spurred interest in similar films, pushing The Requin into the top 10.

The streaming era has changed how older or less acclaimed movies reach viewers. A film like The Requin, which flopped theatrically, can now achieve a second life through algorithmic recommendations and binge-watching habits. For casual viewers, the convenience of Netflix might outweigh the negative reviews. Additionally, the film's relatively short runtime (around 90 minutes) makes it an easy watch for a lazy afternoon or a background movie while multitasking.

Alicia Silverstone's Career Trajectory

Alicia Silverstone rose to fame in the 1990s with her role as Cher Horowitz in Clueless (1995), a cultural touchstone that remains beloved. She also starred in Batman & Robin (1997) as Batgirl, and went on to appear in independent films and television series, including American Woman and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. In recent years, Silverstone has taken on more genre work, including the thriller Last Survivors and the horror film The Lodge. Her role in The Requin demonstrates her willingness to embrace low-budget, high-concept projects, and her environmental advocacy adds depth to her participation in a film that critiques human encroachment on nature.

Additional Facts and Trivia

• Production Challenges: Filming The Requin involved shooting on water tanks and using a massive set piece to simulate the destroyed villa. The shark was largely created via CGI, with some animatronic elements used for close-ups.
• Soundtrack: The film's score was composed by Erwann Kermorvant, who also worked on the horror film Martyrs. The music aims to heighten tension during underwater scenes.
• Similar Films: For viewers who enjoyed The Requin, Netflix also offers Thrash, The Reef, Open Water, and The Shallows for a deeper dive into the survival-shark subgenre.
• Cultural Impact: The film has inspired numerous memes and online discussions about its poor CGI, but this attention has only increased its streaming visibility.

It remains to be seen whether The Requin can sustain its position in the Netflix top 10, but its current success highlights the unpredictable nature of streaming trends. For now, Alicia Silverstone's shark feature is once again swimming in the spotlight, proving that even a critically derided film can find a second life when the algorithm works in its favor.

Source: MSN News