Leviathan Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Deep-sea miners find a weird Russian ship, drink the mystery booze, and suddenly they’re all trying out for a role in ‘The Thing’ but underwater.

🍿 Leviathan: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Discovery of the Leviathan

A deep-sea mining crew, nearing the end of their 90-day operation for Tri-Oceanic Corp, discovers a wrecked Soviet ship named ‘Leviathan’. Miners Sixpack and Willie stumble upon the vessel during a routine drilling expedition. The ship, marked as active but lying derelict on the ocean floor, piques their curiosity. They find a safe inside the ship containing various items, including a flask of vodka and a video tape from the captain.

The Mutagen Unleashed

Against regulations, Sixpack and Bowman consume the vodka from the Leviathan. Shortly after, they begin exhibiting alarming symptoms. Dr. Thompson, the crew’s physician, is baffled by their conditions. The video tape reveals the previous crew suffered from a mysterious illness, hinting at a failed genetic experiment. The film builds suspense as the crew gradually understands the gravity of their situation, facing a threat they cannot comprehend.

The Descent into Horror

As the mutation progresses, Sixpack dies, and Bowman commits suicide after witnessing Sixpack’s horrifying transformation. The bodies are disposed of, but the mutagen continues to spread, causing mutations and death. A grotesque creature emerges, assimilating crew members and transforming them into part of its collective being. The crew faces a desperate fight for survival in the claustrophobic confines of their underwater station. As the situation spirals, it becomes clear the corporation prioritizes profit over their lives, abandoning them to their fate.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steven Beck (Peter Weller): The level-headed geologist and leader who must protect his crew from a deadly genetic mutation.
• Dr. Glen ‘Doc’ Thompson (Richard Crenna): The crew’s physician whose curiosity leads to disastrous consequences and ultimately sacrifices himself.
• Elizabeth ‘Willie’ Williams (Amanda Pays): A resourceful and determined miner with astronaut aspirations, who fights to survive the underwater horror.
• Buzz ‘Sixpack’ Parrish (Daniel Stern): The prankster miner whose reckless actions inadvertently unleash the genetic mutation.
• Justin Jones (Ernie Hudson): A good-natured miner who displays heroism and sacrifice in the face of the monstrous threat.
• Ms. Martin (Meg Foster): The Tri Oceanic executive who prioritizes company interests over the safety of the mining crew.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Justin Jones: “Gone? Bitch, we’re still here!” – Jones shouts this defiant line to Ms. Martin, representing the corporation, highlighting their abandonment and struggle for survival.
• Dr. Thompson: “Well, it’s either a tropical infection or a plague. Something’s off.” – Dr. Thompson says this while watching a tape, foreshadowing the genetic mutation and the horrors to come.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,704,614
• Worldwide Gross: $15,704,614

💥 Leviathan Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Leviathan’ as a kid and being genuinely creeped out. The idea of being trapped underwater with a mutating creature was terrifying! The effects were pretty good for the time, and the cast was solid, especially Peter Weller. The scene where they discover the mutated bodies was particularly disturbing. Though it borrows heavily from other movies, it still provides a fun and suspenseful viewing experience. I think this is one of those movies, that if you manage your expectations, you’ll be suprised.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of creature features”
  • “Fans of underwater horror films”
  • “Fans of 80s science fiction horror”
  • “Viewers interested in films with themes of corporate corruption”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Disturbing creature effects”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• Short Summary: “Leviathan is a competently made underwater thriller that suffers from its obvious inspiration from ‘Alien’ and ‘The Thing’. It has great performances, but the movie loses steam towards the end, becoming derivative. The movie has engaging characters and competent acting all around.
• Short Summary: “This movie rips off so much. I would’ve rated it higher, but with such a lack of imagination, it’s difficult to appreciate the movie. The cast are believable and it’s watchable, but it’s so forgettable with so many other great sci-fi movies.
• Editorial: “The movie is well-paced, the story well-crafted, and acting is not awful and well placed. I would have ranked higher if the script had a little more polish. It is an enthralling movie with the visual setting and special effects being the keys to it. You would be led to beleive this movie is better than it is.

Audience Reactions

The practical effects are great and the creature design, though derivative, is still effectively creepy.: Many viewers appreciate the practical effects and solid cast performances.

A great cast ensemble makes this a cult sci-fi classic.: Many viewers agreed that it has an ensemble cast with strong performances all around.

Overall Consensus: A derivative but entertaining underwater creature feature with a solid cast and decent practical effects that is enjoyable for fans of 80s sci-fi horror.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie was filmed at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Italy, providing a unique location for the underwater sets.”
• “Stan Winston and his team spent four months living in Rome and learning scuba diving for the creature effects work.”
• “Director George P. Cosmatos trusted Stan Winston to direct the second unit action sequences, giving Winston significant creative control.”

🖥️ How to Watch Leviathan?

As of October 2024, ‘Leviathan’ (1989) is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability as options may change. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also typically available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Leviathan, you might like these similar films:

• Alien (1979): Shares the same claustrophobic, monster-in-a-confined-space horror elements and corporate exploitation themes.
• The Thing (1982): Features a shape-shifting creature that assimilates its victims, creating paranoia and tension within the isolated group.
• DeepStar Six (1989): Another underwater creature feature released the same year, exploring similar themes of deep-sea horror and genetic mutation.
• Underwater (2020): A modern take on the underwater horror genre, with a similar plot involving a deep-sea crew facing a monstrous threat after an earthquake.

🛒 Leviathan Related Products

• Alien Anthology [Blu-ray]: The complete Alien saga on Blu-ray. A must-have for fans of ‘Leviathan’ to see the original source of inspiration for the film.
• NECA Ultimate The Thing – MacReady (Outpost 31): An awesome figure of MacReady from John Carpenter’s “The Thing”, another significant inspiration for ‘Leviathan’.
• Underwater: The 2020 film ‘Underwater’, starring Kristen Stewart, serves as a modern homage to the underwater horror subgenre, featuring similar themes of claustrophobia and monstrous encounters in the deep sea. This film revisits the concept of deep-sea miners encountering dangerous creatures in a remote underwater environment.
• RoboCop (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Criterion Collection edition of RoboCop starring Peter Weller. This landmark sci-fi action film cemented Weller’s status as a leading man in the genre and is a must-see for fans of ‘Leviathan’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Leviathan features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Sixpack Finds” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Captain’s Log” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “First Mutation” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Monster Movie From 1989 That NOBODY Remembers – LEVIATHAN (Movie Review)

Ever heard of Leviathan? This review dives into a forgotten 80s monster movie that might just surprise you. It’s not a masterpiece, but the reviewer makes a solid case for giving it a watch!

Mark Kermode reviews Leviathan

Want a respected critic’s take on Leviathan? Mark Kermode gives his thoughts in this review. He’s known for his sharp wit and insightful analysis, so it’s worth a watch before you decide if the movie is for you!

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