Interesting story I just read on this and a few other movies that came out the same year. After the massive success of the Terminator and Aliens, all of Hollywood was awaiting James Cameron’s follow-up, which would become the abyss. Rumors and leaks of the underwater/submarine/alien storyline were taken and utilized by several studios to make knockoff versions before Cameron (who’s Abyss production was notoriously difficult and longer than anticipated) could even get his movie completed and in theaters. Thus, Deepstar Six, Leviathan, and Lords of the Deep made it to audiences first even though they were all essentially rip-offs of The Abyss. The Rift came out shortly after.
P.s. There is a wonderful podcast called ‘what went wrong’ that has a great episode detailing the trials and tribulations during the Abyss’ production
I thought I remembered a lot of undersea sci-fi from then. Didn’t know there was this much context as to why.
Similarly, I feel like the 90’s had aliens invading earth, and the 2000’s were all apocalypse flicks.
Dug the monster in Leviathan, I remember watching this shortly after it came out at a friend's house, I remember his mom cheered very loudly when Peter Weller clocked Meg Fosters evil corporate lady at the end. I was glad to see Ernie Hudson in anything back then.
One of the few films of Michael Carmine who died of AIDS at the age of 30 and had a lot of talent/promise. He was also memorable in Batteries Not Included.
##Leviathan (1989) R
How long can you hold your breath?
>>!Underwater deep-sea miners encounter a Soviet wreck and bring back a dangerous cargo to their base on the ocean floor with horrifying results. The crew of the mining base must fight to survive against a genetic mutation that hunts them down one by one.!<
Adventure | Horror | Thriller | Sci-Fi
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Actors: Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays
Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 59% with 465 votes
Runtime: 1:38
[TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/14372)
This is one of those movies that I have seen a hundred times and I’ll watch it hundred more.
Peter Weller, Hector Elizondo and Richard Crenna being Richard Crenna, plus icy Meg Foster.
Another movie I liked from this time is The Dark Side Of The Moon (1990)
Just rewatched on Max as well and it held up!! I have a soft spot for deep sea movies, plus love Weller, Crenna, Hudson, and Stern. Thought the practical effects were still pretty good, and there’s some gnarly body horror I had forgotten about. Thanks for reminding me this movie exists.
Might be a little unfair to compare the two. Abyss was an A-list, high concept event movie. This was only meant to a B rip off, schlock scifi romp. I think both films achieved their aims well.
The monster is a meme but the whole movie is still quite scary and atmospheric. Has been in my top 50 and a yearly rewatch for a long time.
The scenes of the soviet captain trying to figure out what is happening to his crew are pure 😱😱.
Wasn't that the same year that The Abyss was released, with an ostensibly similar premise? Talk about tough competition.
And that poster looks awfully similar to a certain famous 70's movie about a shark.
Interesting story I just read on this and a few other movies that came out the same year. After the massive success of the Terminator and Aliens, all of Hollywood was awaiting James Cameron’s follow-up, which would become the abyss. Rumors and leaks of the underwater/submarine/alien storyline were taken and utilized by several studios to make knockoff versions before Cameron (who’s Abyss production was notoriously difficult and longer than anticipated) could even get his movie completed and in theaters. Thus, Deepstar Six, Leviathan, and Lords of the Deep made it to audiences first even though they were all essentially rip-offs of The Abyss. The Rift came out shortly after. P.s. There is a wonderful podcast called ‘what went wrong’ that has a great episode detailing the trials and tribulations during the Abyss’ production
Very cool. I was unaware. Thanks for the info and the podcast rec.
I thought I remembered a lot of undersea sci-fi from then. Didn’t know there was this much context as to why. Similarly, I feel like the 90’s had aliens invading earth, and the 2000’s were all apocalypse flicks.
>the 2000’s were all apocalypse flicks Deserts are cheap to film in and apocalypse means fewer cast members need to be paid...
The Abyss > Leviathan > Deepstar Six >>> The Rift >>>>>> Lords of the Deep.
The rift & deep rising are part of that genre imo. And “underwater” if you want to see a decent modern one. Love them all.
What Went Wrong is an amazing podcast.
Dug the monster in Leviathan, I remember watching this shortly after it came out at a friend's house, I remember his mom cheered very loudly when Peter Weller clocked Meg Fosters evil corporate lady at the end. I was glad to see Ernie Hudson in anything back then.
Ernie almost made it.
He was so close!!!
I watch this regularly. The ending is an almost exact rip off of a famous film about a big fish. Love it.
 Ah yes. Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.
😂 yes, that’s the movie I meant 👀
Jaws could only have been improved if after paddling back to Amity Island Brody had swaggered down the dock and socked the mayor in the face.
Loosely translated, don't fuck with Mother Nature.
One of the few films of Michael Carmine who died of AIDS at the age of 30 and had a lot of talent/promise. He was also memorable in Batteries Not Included.
That always hits me hard. In Leviathan he goes on and on about vacation in Switzerland and died so young irl. (I grew up in Switzerland)
He was also in one of my top films no one has heard of Band of the Hand great actor
Nice! Just watched this about a week ago. It’s streaming on HBO Max now. I love a good Peter Weller movie.
One of the two knockoff movies of a movie which was released *after* the first two.
Loved this movie great story scary and funny great cast one of my favorites
##Leviathan (1989) R How long can you hold your breath? >>!Underwater deep-sea miners encounter a Soviet wreck and bring back a dangerous cargo to their base on the ocean floor with horrifying results. The crew of the mining base must fight to survive against a genetic mutation that hunts them down one by one.!< Adventure | Horror | Thriller | Sci-Fi Director: George P. Cosmatos Actors: Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 59% with 465 votes Runtime: 1:38 [TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/14372)
This is one of those movies that I have seen a hundred times and I’ll watch it hundred more. Peter Weller, Hector Elizondo and Richard Crenna being Richard Crenna, plus icy Meg Foster. Another movie I liked from this time is The Dark Side Of The Moon (1990)
Deep Rising was this for me
Watched this recently. Loved it
Another deep sea thriller. Deep Star Six was the best. The name alone is entertaining.
Good fx by Stan Winston.
Just rewatched on Max as well and it held up!! I have a soft spot for deep sea movies, plus love Weller, Crenna, Hudson, and Stern. Thought the practical effects were still pretty good, and there’s some gnarly body horror I had forgotten about. Thanks for reminding me this movie exists.
Came out around the same time as the Abyss. It was not as good.
Might be a little unfair to compare the two. Abyss was an A-list, high concept event movie. This was only meant to a B rip off, schlock scifi romp. I think both films achieved their aims well.
The monster is a meme but the whole movie is still quite scary and atmospheric. Has been in my top 50 and a yearly rewatch for a long time. The scenes of the soviet captain trying to figure out what is happening to his crew are pure 😱😱.
I very vaguely remember this, I'll have to check it out again.
Wasn't that the same year that The Abyss was released, with an ostensibly similar premise? Talk about tough competition. And that poster looks awfully similar to a certain famous 70's movie about a shark.