The ocean is about to get much more terrifying. In 1999, Renny Harlin gave us the hit shark movie Deep Blue Sea. Now, the director is diving back into the water for a new horror film featuring killer orcas. Prepare yourselves for Black Tides!
Old School SFX
Deadline reports that Black Tides is gearing up to begin filming this summer and will be released in 2026. What’s particularly exciting for fans of practical effects is that the filmmakers are committed to an “old-school” approach. Promising plenty of in-camera magic and real water work to bring the aquatic terror to life.
A Talented Director
Renny Harlin, the seasoned director behind well-crafted action hits like The Long Kiss Goodnight, Die Hard 2, and Cliffhanger, is clearly enthusiastic about this new project.
“This film grabs you by the throat and the heart,” Harlin stated. “I’m going back to the kind of filmmaking I love—intense, physical, and immersive. This one is built for the big screen.” His words suggest a return to the visceral and engaging style that made his earlier action films so successful.
The Story
The plot details for Black Tides offer a compelling setup. The film centers on Rebecca. She travels to sunny Málaga for what she hopes will be a healing family trip. She reunites with her estranged father, Bill, and her young son, Sebastian. However, their voyage across the Strait of Gibraltar quickly descends into a terrifying nightmare. They find themselves relentlessly attacked by a pod of rogue and highly aggressive orcas. As Rebecca confronts deep-seated emotional wounds, she must rise to the occasion as an unlikely hero in a desperate and brutal battle for survival against the intelligent and deadly marine predators.
Producer Adrián Guerra echoed Harlin’s commitment to classic thriller filmmaking. “We’re going back to what makes thrillers unforgettable—precision filmmaking, real tension, and emotional weight,” Guerra emphasized. “Every shot is designed to build pressure, every choice anchored in character. Shot in real conditions, this is a physical, immersive experience made for the cinema. It doesn’t just entertain—it holds you in its grip.”
While Harlin is primarily known for his action films, he’s no stranger to horror. His filmography includes the memorable A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, the supernatural thriller The Covenant, and more recently, his ambitious three-film remake of The Strangers, with The Strangers: Chapter Two currently scheduled for release on September 26, 2025.
Orca Facts
Here’s what you need to know about orcas. Imagine coming face to face with a pod of 33-foot-long creatures weighing 22,000 pounds, and having a lot of teeth. They are no gentle giants. Orcas are intelligent and perform coordinated attacks. The creatures sometimes kill for fun, including slaying great whites. Do you want to go up against something that can take out a great white? I don’t think so. They have also been known to attack boats, sometimes sinking them. Needless to say, this member of the dolphin family isn’t one to trifle with.
Take the Plunge
With Black Tides, it seems Harlin is ready to plunge into the depths of fear again, this time with the formidable and intelligent killer orca as his aquatic antagonist. And we are totally here for it!
