Netflix series becomes most-watched
Since its release on Netflix on October 8, the mini-series Below has become the most-watched program on the platform, reaching the top of the viewership rankings in more than 80 countries.Plot combines genres and mystery
Blending emotion, mystery, and horror, it centers on the existence of a sea monster whose presence terrifies a small island off the coast of Canada. The series has raised questions about whether such a creature could really exist.Giant squid inspires fiction
A very real animal, the giant squid, has been the source of many fantasies in fiction. Made famous by the literary masterpiece Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas by Jules Verne, the giant squid has gradually become one of the most common marine creatures in fiction.Myth and reality intertwine
Often, its origins and characteristics have crossed with those of the mythical kraken, making the giant squid one of the most recurring and intimidating animals in maritime fiction. If this creature does indeed exist, the danger it represents is very different from what fiction suggests.Scientific perspective on giant squid
Directly questioned by Netflix for its site Tudum, Dr. Annie Mercier, a marine biologist at the Ocean Sciences Centre of Memorial University of Newfoundland, elaborated at length on the scientific reality surrounding the giant squid. If this species does indeed exist, capable of reaching very impressive sizes (up to 10 meters in length), the doctor judges it "very unlikely" that the squid would be aggressive towards humans.Behavior and biology of giant squid
"Their skeleton is not robust enough to injure anyone on the surface, she explains. Most of the time, they are peaceful, they will be afraid and quickly move away." This scientific approach ultimately aligns with the conclusion of Below, since if the huge squid that lives near the island sometimes shows danger, it is only to protect its eggs.Parenting behavior of cephalopods
"Cephalopods have parenting strategies that fascinate us, explains Annie Mercier. They protect their eggs until they wither, because while waiting, they do not eat." According to her, squids have indeed suffered from a threatening image, but this is mainly due to "a part of mystery, which allows the imagination to run free."Portrayal in the series
A reality that Below tried to approach as best as possible, without demonizing the creature and instead trying to present it as a simple wild animal protecting its offspring rather than a monstrous and bloodthirsty creature.
