Review
SHARK WHISPERER – Review
By Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson
“I want to meet more sharks and explore this beautiful planet. While I’d like to be able to continue that, you never know when you’re gonna go. But if it happens from a shark, I’m putting myself in these extreme situations. So definitely don’t blame the shark.” – Ocean Ramsey
As filmgoers everywhere are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s JAWS, there’s another film about these magnificent creatures that’s airing on Netflix.
From the Academy Award®-winning director of My Octopus Teacher comes SHARK WHISPERER, a provocative and visually arresting documentary that dives into the murky waters of modern conservation, where science, activism, and spectacle collide.
At its center is marine conservationist and social media lightning rod Ocean Ramsey, whose viral videos of swimming freely with sharks have sparked global fascination—and fierce debate. Driven by a desire to leave the cage and decode shark language up close, Ocean strives to connect with these predators on an unprecedented level— hoping to challenge the negative perception of sharks. To her supporters, she’s a fearless advocate giving a voice to misunderstood predators. To her critics, her mission blurs the line between saving the planet and seeking the spotlight.
Through intimate character study and breathtaking underwater cinematography, the film explores the tensions between advocacy and ethics, media influence and ecological integrity. With insight from marine biologists, indigenous knowledge holders, and fellow conservationists—both supportive and dissenting—it paints a nuanced portrait of a polarizing figure and the broader questions she provokes.
One of the best documentaries of 2025, this incredible story is not just a story about sharks. It’s a story about how we choose to tell stories—about nature, ourselves, and what we’re willing to risk to be heard. The film is balanced with the pros and cons of going into the oceans with the sharks, including the account of a 25-year old surfer, Colin Cook, surfing off of Oahu’s North Shore, who was attacked by a tiger shark and lost his left leg. He was rescued by another surfer, Keoni Bowthorpe, who is credited as one of the cinematographers of the documentary.
Wanting to prove they’re not monsters, Ocean, who can hold her breath for 6 ½ minutes while free-diving, was instrumental in getting the law passed in Hawaii making it illegal to kill sharks. Attacks are rare and most sharks swim right past swimmers, divers and surfers all the time.
Two of the big highlights that will leave the viewer in awe, along with grabbing for a kleenex, is Roxy the shark, who has the saddest of stories and the 20 ft. great white that Ocean encounters and catches a ride with, as if it’s a pet dog. Even two dolphins make a visit acting as escorts.
One of the most endearing parts of what Ramsey and husband Juan do is give the sharks they interact with names. Whether it’s their intention or not, the names draw viewers in and it gets us invested in what happens to not only these sharks, but all sharks. From Roxy to Kahili, Nikki and Tank, we now are emotionally attached.
Director of the underwater photography is Keoni Tetawa Bowthorpe, edited by Sam Rogers, and filled with a lovely score by Roger Goula and Sam Thompson, SHARK WHISPERER is a brilliant documentary about what we need most in the world today – HEROES.
Directed by J.P. Stiles, Harrison Macks and James Reed, this is a must-see for everyone. Even the end credits are filled with joy, from the beautiful cinematography of the sharks, an update on Colin Cook and his journey back to the water, to Ocean’s and Juan’s wedding surrounded by their “friends.” SHARK WHISPERER is extraordinary.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81639669
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
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