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Netflix's Lazy 'Jaws' Ripoff Fails To Hook Critics Despite Streaming Success
Thrash, a new Netflix shark movie, is being trashed by critics despite its popularity on the streaming platform.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:08pm
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The glitzy, high-stakes world of shark thriller movies fails to deliver thrills in Netflix's latest streaming sensation, Thrash.Princeton TodayNetflix has released a new shark thriller titled Thrash that has quickly become a global streaming success, but critics are not impressed. The film, directed by Tommy Wirkola, borrows heavily from the classic Jaws and features a hurricane that brings a school of bull sharks to terrorize a coastal town. Despite its popularity on Netflix, Thrash has been panned by critics, earning a dismal 35% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 reviews, with many calling it a lazy and uninspired Jaws ripoff.
Why it matters
The poor critical reception of Thrash highlights the challenges Netflix faces in producing original content that can live up to classic genre films. While the streaming service has found success with shark-themed movies in the past, this latest effort seems to have failed to capture the same level of suspense and thrills that made Jaws a landmark film. The divide between the movie's streaming popularity and critical panning also raises questions about the value of audience metrics versus professional reviews in evaluating the quality of a film.
The details
Released on April 10, 2026, Thrash was written and directed by Tommy Wirkola, known for the fantasy film Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. The film features a cast that includes Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou. In the movie, a disastrous hurricane brings a school of bull sharks to a coastal town, raising the stakes for the characters as they try to survive the deadly threat. Despite its streaming success, Thrash has been widely panned by critics, who have criticized its lazy storytelling, poor acting, and lack of originality compared to Jaws.
- Thrash was released on Netflix on April 10, 2026.
- The film quickly rose to the top of the global streaming rankings within 48 hours of its release.
The players
Tommy Wirkola
The writer and director of Thrash, known for the fantasy film Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.
Phoebe Dynevor
One of the lead actors in Thrash.
Whitney Peak
One of the lead actors in Thrash.
Djimon Hounsou
One of the lead actors in Thrash.
The takeaway
The poor critical reception of Netflix's Thrash, despite its streaming success, highlights the challenges the platform faces in producing original content that can live up to classic genre films. While audience metrics may show popularity, professional reviews suggest the film fails to capture the suspense and thrills that made Jaws a landmark movie, raising questions about the value of audience data versus critical evaluation.
