Below on Netflix: Does the terrifying monster from the hit series actually exist? A scientist answers

Since its release on October 8th, the mini-series Below has comfortably claimed the top spot on Netflix, becoming the most-watched program in over eighty countries worldwide. Skillfully blending mystery, emotion, and pure dread, the show centers around a colossal sea creature terrorizing a small island off the coast of Canada. Following this massive success, fans everywhere are wondering: could such a deep-sea monster actually exist in real life?

To answer this fascinating question, Netflix's Tudum site turned to Dr. Annie Mercier, a marine biologist at the Ocean Sciences Centre of Memorial University of Newfoundland. The expert broke down the scientific reality behind the giant squid, a timeless source of literary and cinematic fascination ever since Jules Verne's masterpiece Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and traditional Nordic kraken lore.

While the giant squid is indeed a real animal that can reach spectacular lengths of up to ten meters, the biologist offers reassuring perspective. She considers it "highly improbable" that such a specimen would ever display aggression toward humans. According to her analysis, their skeletons lack the necessary sturdiness to inflict harm near the surface, and most of the time, they are peaceful creatures that will quickly swim away out of fear.

This scientific insight closely mirrors the underlying theme of Below. While the creature proves dangerous on screen, its aggression stems entirely from the urge to protect its eggs. Cephalopods exhibit fascinating parental strategies, guarding their offspring until exhaustion while refusing to feed in the process. Rather than turning the animal into a mindless, bloodthirsty monster, the series successfully portrays it as a wild creature driven by a natural protective instinct.