AceShowbiz - Blake Lively experienced a rollercoaster year in 2024, marked by both major success and significant challenges. She starred in It Ends with Us, which became the biggest hit of her career, grossing over $350 million worldwide. Despite the film’s commercial triumph, its production was marred by a public legal dispute between Lively and co-star/director Justin Baldoni.

Before this recent blockbuster, Lively had not seen such a high-grossing movie in years. Her previous major success was A Simple Favor, which earned nearly $100 million globally. Prior to that, she gained critical acclaim for a survival thriller that has remained a fan favorite on home video and streaming platforms. That film is The Shallows, which is currently available on Netflix but will be removed from the streaming service by March 29, giving viewers just over two weeks to watch.

The Shallows was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, a filmmaker known for his work on suspenseful genre movies. Collet-Serra initially built his reputation with mid-budget thrillers starring Liam Neeson. However, in recent years, he attempted larger-scale projects with Dwayne Johnson, including Jungle Cruise and Black Adam. Both films underperformed at the box office, leading Collet-Serra to return to his roots with smaller, more focused productions. One such success was Carry-On, which became one of Netflix’s most-watched films. Similarly, The Shallows represents a return to the tight, intense storytelling that fits Collet-Serra’s strengths.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, The Shallows follows the story of Nancy Adams, a young surfer portrayed by Lively. The character becomes trapped on a rock 200 yards from shore, surrounded by dangerous shark-infested waters. The film is a gripping, mostly solo performance that showcases Lively’s ability to carry a movie with limited dialogue and high tension. Despite its simplicity, the movie grossed approximately $120 million worldwide against a modest $17 million budget.

Critics responded positively to the film as well. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Shallows holds a "Certified Fresh" rating of 79%. The critical consensus praises the film for transcending typical shark-attack clichés, highlighting its "lean and solidly crafted" nature, along with a "powerful performance" by Lively. The movie combines thrilling suspense with strong character work, making it a standout in the survival thriller genre.

For fans of Lively and suspenseful thrillers, the upcoming removal of The Shallows from Netflix is disappointing news. The platform will take the film down on March 29, so viewers have just a short window to stream it before it becomes unavailable.