---
title: "The Meg"
year: 2018
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-meg"
fi1m_id: "the-meg"
imdb_id: "tt4779682"
tmdb_id: 345940
wikidata_id: "Q27957869"
fi1m_score: 49
critics_score: 48
critics_reviews: 25
published: "2026-10-05T14:42:01.140372+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T14:42:02.762187+00:00"
region: "GR"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Meg (2018)

Directed by Jon Turteltaub · 1h 53m · ΓΓΤΕ K12 · Action, Science Fiction, Horror

## Identity

The Meg

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-meg
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-meg
- **IMDb ID:** tt4779682
- **TMDB ID:** 345940
- **Wikidata ID:** Q27957869
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/345940, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27957869

**Fi1m score: 49** · Critics 48 from 25 reviews

*In a sentence:* Jason Statham versus a giant shark should involve considerably less waiting for people to finish talking

> Jason Statham is good company, and the shark supplies a few tense encounters. But *The Meg* spends too long on flat dialogue and unconvincing drama to earn a recommendation.

## Synopsis

Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) faces a giant shark whose size makes any encounter a risk. Suyin (Li Bingbing) and Morris (Rainn Wilson) are among the people drawn into the danger, alongside James ‘Mac’ Mackreides (Cliff Curtis) and Jaxx (Ruby Rose). Jonas has to confront the animal at close quarters, while the people around him bring their own tensions and relationships to the crisis. As the threat brings him into the water, human disagreements share space with the problem of stopping a creature far larger than the people trying to deal with it.

## Review

Jason Statham facing a giant shark is a sound enough reason to make *The Meg*. Jon Turteltaub gets a few tense and amusing encounters out of the idea, but surrounds them with dull conversations and drama that asks for more concern than it earns. We cannot quite recommend it, even on the modest terms of a creature feature. At 113 minutes, it spends too long making us wait for the attraction named in the title.

Jason Statham is the strongest reason to persist. His Jonas Taylor has a weary confidence that makes the ridiculous danger easier to accept, and his physical commitment keeps the action interesting when the effects cannot. We laughed at his air of having another tiresome job to sort out, even with that animal to contend with. He takes the threat seriously enough for the suspense to work without insisting that we regard the whole enterprise with solemn respect.

The screenplay by Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber and Dean Georgaris gives him little help between encounters. Its dramatic stretches ask us to invest in relationships that the dialogue barely develops, while the romance slows a film already prone to hesitation. Li Bingbing gets disappointingly little to work with as Suyin. Rainn Wilson finds some welcome amusement in Morris, but cannot keep the surrounding dialogue lively. The shifts from comic nonsense to earnest feeling repeatedly leave the cast trying to persuade us that a conversation matters when the writing has supplied no reason.

Tom Stern’s cinematography does not consistently make the shark’s bulk felt beside a human body, which is a substantial failing here. The computer-generated creature can command attention without making its movements convincing enough to frighten us. Grant Major’s production design contributes to the glossy finish, although the surroundings have little character of their own. The better encounters concentrate on the person at risk and allow the animal’s size to become a practical problem rather than merely something to look at.

Steven Kemper’s editing finds more tension within individual encounters than across the film as a whole. A passage of shark action can hold our attention, only for the next exchange of dialogue to let it slip away. Harry Gregson-Williams’s score helps the action along, but cannot repair those repeated losses of momentum. By the time the film returns to danger, it has often given itself unnecessary work to do in recovering our attention.

The 12A certificate is no excuse for the shortage of fear. A shark thriller can make us dread an approach, a pause or the space around a swimmer without showing much injury, but this one rarely sustains that dread. Its few taut encounters show that Jon Turteltaub can make the ridiculous threatening when he keeps the action simple. Too much of the rest seems cautious about both frightening us and letting the absurdity become properly funny.

Anyone drawn mainly by Jason Statham may find enough to justify the quieter stretches. Expect neither sustained suspense nor a comedy that makes the most of its ridiculous premise. If the shark is the deciding factor, our advice is to choose something with fewer conversations.

*Fi1m score 49, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards disappointment, though most critics find at least some entertainment in The Meg’s giant-shark premise. Praise centres on Jason Statham, whose charm and physical commitment keep several reviewers interested when the dialogue and drama do not. The shark encounters earn qualified approval for their scale, absurdity and occasional tension. Even some sceptical reviews acknowledge that individual suspense sequences work, but enthusiasm for the spectacle rarely extends to the whole film.

The main divide is over how much fun survives the weak dialogue, uneven tone and stretches spent with uninteresting characters. Opinions on the effects and pacing vary, and verdicts range widely. Consequence enjoys the cast’s commitment and welcomes the attention paid to the characters; The Ringer finds the film lifeless despite Statham. Between those positions, the recurring complaint is straightforward: a film about an enormous shark ought to provide more excitement than this.

## Straight answers

**Is The Meg worth watching?**

*The Meg* falls short of a recommendation, and we score it 49/100, though Jason Statham fans may find enough to enjoy. His weary confidence and a few tense shark encounters help, but flat dialogue, thin relationships and repeated pauses in the action make the 113 minutes feel unnecessarily long.

**How long is The Meg, and what is it rated?**

*The Meg* runs 1h 53m and is rated K12 by the ΓΓΤΕ in Greece. It is an action and science fiction film.

**Where can I watch The Meg in Greece?**

*The Meg* is available to buy from Apple TV from €3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is The Meg, and is it suitable for children?**

*The Meg* has a UK 12A certificate and contains tense giant-shark encounters, though we find its sustained capacity to frighten limited. Children under 12 need an accompanying adult at the cinema; younger or sensitive viewers may still find the danger upsetting, even if teenagers seeking stronger horror find it rather cautious.

**How does The Meg compare to Jaws?**

*The Meg* is the weaker thriller beside [*Jaws*](https://film.one/film/jaws), offering Jason Statham’s dry humour and occasional tense encounters rather than patient, sustained suspense. We recommend *Jaws* for characters worth caring about and water that feels unsafe; *The Meg* suits those chiefly interested in Statham confronting an absurdly large shark, provided they can tolerate the talk between encounters.

**Is The Meg based on a true story or a book?**

*The Meg* is adapted from a novel by Steve Alten, rather than based on a true story. We judge it as a creature feature in its own right: Statham supplies welcome humour, but the flat dialogue and repeated interruptions to the shark action are the problems, not any need to know the source.

**What should I watch after The Meg?**

After *The Meg*, try [*Jaws*](https://film.one/film/jaws) (1975, Fi1m 93): For patient suspense that makes a stretch of water feel unsafe. Then [*Tremors*](https://film.one/film/tremors) (1990, Fi1m 82): For capable comic performers taking an absurd creature problem seriously; and [*Crawl*](https://film.one/film/crawl) (2019, Fi1m 76): For close quarters, rising water and a welcome shortage of idle conversation.

### Reviews we read (25)

- **Screen Daily**, Demetrios Matheou (64/100, inferred): The review text is behind a paywall, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-meg-review/5131532.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page content is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint from the review can be verified. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/movies/the-meg-review-jason-statham.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (2.5/4): The review finds the film entertaining but shallow. It singles out the over-the-top shark spectacle as its main appeal. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-meg-2018)
- **Slant Magazine**, Niles Schwartz (2.5/4): Schwartz finds the film successful as a Jason Statham vehicle, despite its adolescent quality beside Jaws. He praises Statham’s screen presence for commanding attention even when the computer-generated shark is on screen. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-meg/)
- **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (4/3/2): Strong finds the film overcomplicated and short on thrills, leaving its potential largely wasted. She singles out Statham’s world-weary charm as the main source of laughs. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-meg)
- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (60/100, inferred): Ide finds the film an enjoyable but silly romp, weakened by a cliché-ridden script and tonal problems. She praises Jason Statham’s jaunty charm, which helps carry the film despite its flaws. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/12/the-meg-review-jason-statham-shark)
- **Total Film**, Jordan Farley (3/5): Farley finds the film forgettable but undeniably fun, best enjoyed as a ridiculous summer spectacle. He praises the tension in Jonas’s high-risk encounters with the shark, while criticizing the weak effects and flat dialogue. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-meg-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn (C): Kohn finds the film a guilty pleasure when Statham battles the shark, but says it falters between cartoonish action and conventional sci-fi drama. He singles out Statham as the most effective part of the film, while criticizing the shark’s limited animation and the weak dialogue. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-meg-review-jason-statham-shark-1201990210/)
- **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (***): Jones calls the film entertaining but toothless, and says it is big, glossy and stupid without being fun enough. The review’s accessible description singles out its monster-movie entertainment value, while the headline suggests that limited fun is the main complaint. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/the-meg-big-glossy-and-stupid-if-only-it-were-more-fun/)
- **The AV Club**, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky (C-): Vishnevetsky finds the film dull, poorly paced, and less entertaining than its giant-shark premise promises. He singles out the late beach attack’s potential for gleeful mayhem, which the gore-free PG-13 treatment fails to deliver. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/jason-statham-fighting-a-giant-shark-should-be-a-lot-mo-1828161625)
- **Evening Standard**, Matthew Norman (2/5): Norman finds the film a weak, often ridiculous attempt at so-bad-it’s-good entertainment. He singles out its implausible details and flat characters, while conceding that some of the jokes are genuinely funny. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-meg-review-a-frantic-dive-to-the-ocean-bed-of-imbecility-a3908246.html)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (2/5): The review finds the film less fun and frenetic than its premise promises. It faults the film for failing to deliver the lively, trashy thrills audiences might expect. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-meg)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (35/100, inferred): Chang finds the film derivative and surprisingly low on tension, though he sees some life in its better-executed suspense sequences. He singles out Jonas’s attempt to attach a tracking device to the shark as scary, ridiculous and neatly executed. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-the-meg-review-20180808-story.html)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (30/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the film a generic, disappointing shark thriller, neither good enough nor bad enough to be truly entertaining. He praises Jason Statham’s screen presence and the spectacle of the giant shark, but faults the restrained attacks and lack of tactile terror. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/the-meg-review-jason-statham-1202896831/)
- **Vulture**, Emily Yoshida (30/100, inferred): Yoshida finds the film neither smart nor dumb enough to be fun, and criticizes its slow focus on human characters. She praises a few taut man-versus-shark sequences but says the film neglects the shark’s scale and wastes its potential. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/the-meg-review.html)
- **Empire**, Chris Hewitt (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film boring and unsuccessful at balancing action with self-aware fun. They single out Rainn Wilson as the only cast member who seems to be enjoying himself. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/meg-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (10/100, inferred): McCarthy pans the film as mechanical, bland, and emotionally empty. He singles out Jason Statham’s swimming as its only notable strength, while faulting the editing and derivative storytelling. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/meg-review-1131154/)
- **Consequence**, Dominick Suzanne-Mayer (78/100, inferred): The critic finds The Meg preposterous but thoroughly entertaining, an ideal late-summer movie outing. They praise its committed, charismatic cast and the attention the film gives its characters. [Read](https://consequence.net/2018/08/film-review-the-meg/)
- **/Film**, Matt Donato (7.5/10): The critic finds The Meg uneven but ultimately a rollicking creature-feature success. The giant-shark action and Jason Statham’s fearless performance are singled out for praise, while the dramatic scenes drag. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/560189/the-meg-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, Rosie Fletcher (3/5): Fletcher finds The Meg shamelessly stupid but exuberantly entertaining, calling it the best worst movie of the summer. She praises its bonkers creature-feature set pieces, while criticizing the romance and attempts at emotional nuance. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-meg-review-its-exactly-what-you-think-it-is/)
- **Paste**, Tim Grierson (5.5): Grierson finds the film passable but forgettable, criticizing its lazy execution and lack of lasting impact. He praises its brisk pacing and occasional diverting shark attacks, while faulting the hokey dialogue and strained emotional moments. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-meg/the-meg)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (40/100, inferred): The review is broadly unimpressed, finding the film’s familiar CGI shocks and repetitive storytelling uninspiring. It gives Jason Statham credit for helping the film deliver the entertainment it promises. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-meg-2018-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **The Wrap** (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining in bursts but weighed down by dull characters and slack pacing. The realistic visual effects and the Meg itself provide the strongest scares. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/the-meg-film-review-jason-statham-li-bingbing/)
- **NME** (30/100, inferred): The critic sees The Meg as a missed opportunity: too silly to be scary and too unimaginative to sustain interest. They single out the frequent, oversized shark appearances as quickly dulling the threat. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-review-meg-big-fun-fin-flick-makes-deep-blue-sea-look-positively-cerebral-2364828)
- **The Ringer**, Adam Nayman (20/100, inferred): Nayman finds the film so dull and lifeless that even Jason Statham cannot make it engaging. He particularly criticizes its bland visual style and lack of gore or tension. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2018/08/10/movies/the-meg-review-jason-statham)

## Details

- **Director:** Jon Turteltaub
- **Director:** Jon Turteltaub
- **Screenplay:** Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber, Dean Georgaris
- **Novel:** Steve Alten
- **Cinematography:** Tom Stern
- **Editor:** Steven Kemper
- **Music:** Harry Gregson-Williams
- **Production design:** Grant Major
- **Costume design:** Amanda Neale, Natalija Kucija
- **Producer:** Belle Avery, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Colin Wilson
- **Cast:** Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor; Li Bingbing as Suyin; Rainn Wilson as Morris; Cliff Curtis as James 'Mac' Mackreides; Ruby Rose as Jaxx; Jessica McNamee as Lori; Masi Oka as Toshi; Winston Chao as Zhang
- **Runtime:** 1h 53m
- **Certificate (ΓΓΤΕ):** K12
- **Release (Greece):** 23 August 2018
- **Genres:** Action, Science Fiction, Horror
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $531 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_4uXy2Y1SQ

## Where to watch in Greece

- Apple TV: buy €3.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Jaws* (1975), Fi1m 93: For patient suspense that makes a stretch of water feel unsafe. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/jaws.md)
- *Tremors* (1990), Fi1m 82: For capable comic performers taking an absurd creature problem seriously. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/tremors.md)
- *The Host* (2006): For a creature feature whose human relationships deserve the time they take.
- *Rogue* (2007): For leaner waterside suspense and a firmer sense of physical danger.
- *Crawl* (2019), Fi1m 76: For close quarters, rising water and a welcome shortage of idle conversation. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/crawl.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-meg