The Abyss
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38

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  1. RobM.
    May 31, 2004
    10
    Another wonderful film art work from this crew. The imagery is out of this multiverse. The way the underwater gear is made is ahead of its time. Angels right in the ocean all along. And then love conquering the divorce courts when Ed rejoins his wife who he deeply loves. Underwater aliens filled with warmth and compasion to befriend the human race even with all its faults. This is a class A movie. … Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    May 31, 2004
    10
    The whole film is all about taking the viewer on a voyage of discovery. Brilliant cast and beautiful camera work. Anyone who loves science fiction needs to see this show.
  3. Compi24
    Dec 18, 2012
    9
    Riding tall on its still-majestic production design and visuals, James Cameron's "The Abyss" also scores high for its cleverly high-brow story and impressively varied display of performances.
  4. Rox22
    Apr 7, 2013
    9
    I absolutely loved this movie. Great effects, great story and some really memorable characters. Ed Harris in particular. Actually to go back, the effects in this were amazing back when it first came out. But even so, they only play a small part of the movie. Appearing at just the right moments.

    Overall:
    This was one of my favorite movies as a kid, still is today.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    40
    How many times can we be awestruck by Day-Glo Gumbies? And why do these creatures always travel with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?
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  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    75
    If you end up cursing, try not to forget The Abyss' spectacular oil-rig collapse, a killer chase scene, two fine leads, and one Oscar-worthy "creature'' special effect midway through. Do forget the rest - unless you really dig Casper, the Friendly Ghost. [9 Aug 1989, Life, p.1D]
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    40
    The attempt to extract the essences of several genres (cold-war submarine thriller, love story, Disney fantasy, pseudomystical SF in the Spielberg mode) and mix them together ultimately leads to giddy incoherence.
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