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The Abyss
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by James Cameron. With Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn.
7.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.
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7.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTA civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular o…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for The Abyss.
MoviHero lists August 9, 1989 as the release date for The Abyss. James Cameron is the listed director. The listed cast includes Ed Harris as Virgil 'Bud' Brigman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Lindsey Brigman, Michael Biehn as Lieutenant Hiram Coffey, Leo Burmester as Catton ‘Catfish’ De Vries. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateAugust 9, 1989
GenresAdventure · Science Fiction · Thriller
Runtime2h 20m
DirectorJames Cameron
CastEd Harris as Virgil 'Bud' Brigman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Lindsey Brigman, Michael Biehn as Lieutenant Hiram Coffey, Leo Burmester as Catton ‘Catfish’ De Vries
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is The Abyss right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
The Abyss runs 2h 20m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 7/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 9/10. Consider saving this for a night when you can concentrate.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 4/10, suggesting a lighter emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with The Abyss. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.4/10 from 3,658 votes. Updated Nov 6, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing7/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary2/10
Violence3/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required9/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about The Abyss
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Cameron's Marvellous Close Encounters Of The Sea Kind.”
Viewer reaction
“When a nuclear-powered submarine goes missing, scientists-cum-salvagers “Bud” (Ed Harris) and his estranged wife “Lindsey” (Mary Elizabeth Mastroantonio) are drafted in to find out what’s…”
Viewer reaction
“A fantastic movie ruined by the studio's shortsightedness.”
More reactions (1)
Viewer reaction
“"The Abyss" features a random assortment of sequences which look suspiciously altered to accommodate the course of the film and one of the most obvious…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“When it comes to the safety of these people, there's me and then there's God, understand?”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherVirgil 'Bud' BrigmanVirgil 'Bud' Brigman in The Abyss (1989), played by Ed Harris.Open character guide otherLindsey BrigmanLindsey Brigman in The Abyss (1989), played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.Open character guide otherLieutenant Hiram CoffeyLieutenant Hiram Coffey in The Abyss (1989), played by Michael Biehn.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Cryonicist
2026·Science Fiction · Crime · Thriller
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEIdling
2026·Thriller
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATESafe
2026·Thriller