Film Review – Thrash (2026)

      Thrash, 2026.

      Written and Directed by Tommy Wirkola.

      Featuring Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, Djimon Hounsou, Gemma Dart, Alyla Browne, Matt Nable, Amy Mathews, Elijah Ungvary, Sami Afuni, Jon Prasida, Dante Ubaldi, and Stacy Clausen.

      SYNOPSIS:

      After a Category 5 hurricane wreaks havoc on a coastal town, the resulting storm surge brings destruction, chaos, and a terrifying threat: hungry sharks.

      Tommy Wirkola elevates the stakes right from the start of his minimal-location, natural-disaster survival film, Thrash, with a supporting character declaring that the hurricane is a Category 5 that feels like a 6, on its way to a small town in South Carolina. The film expands on this premise by introducing bullhead sharks, a great white, and skillfully crafted settings that transform the interior of homes and their furnishings into makeshift life rafts. Outside, the streets flood to such an extent they resemble swimming pools for vehicles. While some of the CGI and green screen effects may not be fully convincing, the primary focus is on how the characters respond to these dire circumstances and strive to survive.

      Wirkola also wisely opts not to limit the narrative to a single protagonist or group; instead, he introduces a heavily pregnant Lisa (Phoebe Dynevor) on a long drive home caught in dreadful weather, a trio of children (one portrayed by young Furiosa, Alyla Browne) trapped in a terrible foster home that quickly turns into a comedy of retribution against their dim-witted, climate-change-denying guardian Billy (Matt Nable), and a grieving, depressed Dakota (Whitney Peak) undergoing a typical arc of helping others rediscover the value of life while staying in touch with her marine biologist uncle (Djimon Hounsou), who is en route by boat with reporters to save himself from the wrath of nature and its ferocious creatures.

      The abundance of characters allows for a dynamic narrative, where the simplicity of their individual stories is obscured by a shared focus on surviving external and internal threats. This mix produces a variety of characters we root for to survive, while also anticipating the fates of others who are likely to become shark prey. With Tommy Wirkola's knack for dark comedy, the film embraces predictability and doesn’t take itself too seriously (a notable example is Lisa's song choice during a wildly chaotic birthing scene, showcasing the enjoyment of the cast and crew).

      There are also truly inventive and suspenseful situations faced by the townsfolk, including one where a character is trapped in a car as the water rises inside, with others trying to rescue her. Additionally, tense scenes arise involving ruthless humans, who may even pose a greater threat than the sharks to the children. It's also fascinating that such a natural disaster and life-threatening predicament could provide these kids an escape from their dire circumstances.

      In summary, there isn’t much more to convey; Thrash is just under 80 minutes of bold absurdity that remains afloat despite some lackluster visual effects. Yes, the characters are rather one-dimensional and the plotlines echo those of other films. However, the movie delivers a sharp sense of humor, creatively utilizes its constricted, altered settings, and showcases clever ideas. It thrashes and churns plenty.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder

      Originally published on April 10, 2026. Updated April 11, 2026.