Underwater
After an earthquake destroys their underwater station, six researchers must navigate two miles along the dangerous, unknown depths of the ocean floor to make it to safety in a race against time.
The film struggled financially against its respectable budget of $50.0M, earning $40.9M globally (-18% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Underwater (2020) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of William Eubank's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Norah brushes her teeth in the bathroom of the Kepler 822 deep-sea drilling station, experiencing ordinary life seven miles below the ocean surface.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when A massive earthquake ruptures the station. Explosive decompression kills crew members instantly as seawater floods the facility, shattering the status quo within minutes of the film's opening.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The crew makes the active choice to don pressure suits and leave the relative safety of the station, beginning the treacherous walk across the ocean floor to reach Roebuck station., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The crew discovers the creatures are real - attacked by a humanoid monster that kills one of them. The threat is confirmed, stakes raised. What seemed like structural failure is revealed as something hunting them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Emily is dragged away and killed by creatures. Captain Lucien sacrifices himself in an explosion. Norah is left with only one other survivor, facing impossible odds and a massive creature rising from below., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Norah executes her plan, getting the last survivor to an escape pod while she remains behind. She confronts the massive creature (Cthulhu-like entity) and triggers the reactor explosion., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Underwater's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Underwater against these established plot points, we can identify how William Eubank utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Underwater within the horror genre.
William Eubank's Structural Approach
Among the 2 William Eubank films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Underwater represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete William Eubank filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more William Eubank analyses, see Land of Bad.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Norah brushes her teeth in the bathroom of the Kepler 822 deep-sea drilling station, experiencing ordinary life seven miles below the ocean surface.
Theme
Norah's voice-over reflects on consequences: "When you're down here, you're either on the surface or you're dead" - establishing the theme of survival through choice and sacrifice.
Worldbuilding
Brief setup of the deep-sea station environment, crew dynamics, and the isolated, claustrophobic world of underwater drilling before catastrophe strikes.
Disruption
A massive earthquake ruptures the station. Explosive decompression kills crew members instantly as seawater floods the facility, shattering the status quo within minutes of the film's opening.
Resistance
Norah and survivors debate their options: stay and wait for rescue or attempt the dangerous journey across the ocean floor. Captain Lucien provides guidance on the only viable escape route.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The crew makes the active choice to don pressure suits and leave the relative safety of the station, beginning the treacherous walk across the ocean floor to reach Roebuck station.
Mirror World
Emily connects with Norah during the walk, revealing personal stories and humanity amidst the crisis. This relationship subplot carries the theme of what we're willing to sacrifice for others.
Premise
The crew traverses the ocean floor in pressure suits, facing the deadly environment and encountering increasingly disturbing signs of something alive in the depths - the survival horror the audience came for.
Midpoint
The crew discovers the creatures are real - attacked by a humanoid monster that kills one of them. The threat is confirmed, stakes raised. What seemed like structural failure is revealed as something hunting them.
Opposition
Creatures attack repeatedly, picking off crew members one by one. The journey becomes a desperate fight for survival as they realize they've awakened something ancient from the ocean depths.
Collapse
Emily is dragged away and killed by creatures. Captain Lucien sacrifices himself in an explosion. Norah is left with only one other survivor, facing impossible odds and a massive creature rising from below.
Crisis
Norah processes the devastating losses and confronts the reality that conventional escape is impossible. She faces her darkest moment alone in the abyss.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Norah executes her plan, getting the last survivor to an escape pod while she remains behind. She confronts the massive creature (Cthulhu-like entity) and triggers the reactor explosion.