The Reef: Stalked

Nic is still dealing with the trauma of her sister’s murder when she invites her younger sister and two friends to a Pacific island escape. They set out on a sunlit paddle through turquoise water, hoping to unwind and reconnect. But the mood shifts when a shark appears, circling their small craft and erasing their plan for a peaceful retreat. The group must improvise to stay together and keep their morale intact as the threat closes in and the sea behaves unpredictably. The group discovers how far they’ll push themselves, and how much they can rely on one another when help feels distant. The island's isolation amplifies their fears, while distant sounds of life on shore feel unreachable.

Directed by Andrew Traucki, The Reef: Stalked released in 2022 as a continuation of Traucki's ocean horror lineage. Shot in Australia with a lean cast, the film relies on practical effects and controlled sound to heighten tension in confined watery spaces.

Box office: The film grossed 1,406,501 dollars worldwide, a modest result for a horror title released during the streaming era. Its earnings suggest a niche audience drawn to practical oceanic fright rather than broad mainstream appeal.

Reception and themes: Critics have seen The Reef: Stalked as a lean survival drama that favors atmosphere over flashy set pieces. Performances from Teressa Liane, Ann Truong, Saskia Archer and the rest of the cast deliver a focused sense of fear and resilience. The story centers on how fear shifts into solidarity when a group faces a relentless predator and the pressures of the open sea. Thematic threads of grief, trust, and female camaraderie run through the tension, with the ocean itself acting as an impartial but punishing force. Some viewers feel the plot adheres to familiar genre rhythms, yet the execution earns credibility through restraint and craft. It aims to keep danger intimate rather than sprawling.