Hero Fiennes Tiffin, best known for his breakout role in the After franchise, is taking a bold leap into a new genre with Above the Below — a gripping survival thriller that pushes its characters, and its audience, to the edge of endurance. Co-directed by Idris Elba and Martin Owen, the upcoming film promises to deliver claustrophobic tension, psychological suspense, and breathtaking visuals unlike anything we’ve seen from Fiennes Tiffin before.
In Above the Below, Fiennes Tiffin plays Rhodes, an idealistic astronaut embarking on his first mission — one that quickly spirals into a desperate fight for survival. Alongside Elba, who stars as mission commander Jackson, and Succession’s Caitlin FitzGerald as co-pilot Brooks, the film follows a small team of astronauts whose return to Earth takes a catastrophic turn. When their capsule veers off course during re-entry, they lose contact with mission control and crash into the ocean. As the spacecraft begins to sink, the trio must confront dwindling oxygen, rising panic, and the brutal isolation of being trapped between two worlds — above and below.
Filmed at Pinewood Studios using advanced underwater technology, Above the Below marks a technical and emotional milestone for all involved. The production, which began in late 2023 and wrapped in early 2024, reportedly used one of Europe’s largest underwater stages to capture its harrowing realism. Idris Elba, who also co-directed and produced the film, described it as “a story about survival, leadership, and the fragile boundary between hope and despair.”
For Fiennes Tiffin, Above the Below represents a conscious move away from the romantic dramas that made him famous. Instead of heartbreaks and love triangles, he’s embracing physical danger and psychological strain. In recent interviews, the actor has expressed excitement about exploring new emotional territory: “This role pushed me further than I’ve ever gone before — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s not just about surviving the elements, it’s about surviving yourself.”
The film’s tension is heightened by its minimalist setting — a confined capsule in the depths of the sea, illuminated only by flickering emergency lights. The absence of a traditional villain shifts the focus inward, allowing Fiennes Tiffin and his co-stars to deliver raw, character-driven performances that explore fear, guilt, and the will to live.
Although Lionsgate has yet to announce an official release date, post-production is reportedly in its final stages, and early buzz suggests Above the Below could emerge as one of 2025’s most intense thrillers. For fans of Gravity and The Abyss, this film promises to deliver a haunting blend of sci-fi spectacle and human vulnerability.
