The streaming giant Netflix has confirmed that production is underway on Under Paris 2, with crews now working in the south of France. The follow-up reunites several members of the original ensemble and brings a new creative leader on board, signaling a clear ambition to expand the film that surprised audiences worldwide. This announcement builds on the first movie’s momentum and frames the sequel as both a continuation of the original story and an opportunity to explore fresh tensions in a familiar, submerged urban landscape. The move to shoot on location speaks to the project’s scale and the desire for visual authenticity.
Where the story picks up
Set three years after the chaotic triathlon that turned Paris into a disaster zone, the sequel revisits a capital transformed by rising waters and relentless danger. The plot centers on Sophia and Adil, who must return to the River Seine to pursue the creature known as Lilith. The screenplay’s logline hints that what appears to be a straightforward hunt for a top predator will reveal a more unexpected truth about the ecosystem and the human response to it. Viewers can expect the sequel to expand the world-building around the original incident while intensifying the immediate stakes for its returning characters.
Creative team and production credits
Horror specialist Alexandre Aja has stepped in to direct the new chapter, taking over directorial duties while joining a writing team that includes the original filmmaker. Xavier Gens, who wrote and directed the first movie, remains deeply involved as a co-writer and associate producer, collaborating with a group of screenwriters to reshape the narrative. Gregory Levasseur, Frédéric Garcia, William Laboury and Fanny Talmone are credited alongside Aja and Gens, and producer Vincent Roget is attached to the project. The credits emphasize a blend of continuity and new creative perspectives intended to evolve the franchise’s tone and ambition.
Returning cast and characters
The sequel brings back the principal players from the original, including Bérénice Bejo and Nassim Lyes, who reprise their central roles as Sophia and Adil. They are joined by Guillaume Gouix, Philippe Bas, Manon Bresch and Anne Marivin, reinforcing the film’s ensemble dynamic. The casting choice underlines the filmmakers’ intent to preserve emotional threads from the first film while putting characters into fresh, higher-stakes circumstances. As the team tracks Lilith and navigates the submerged city, character relationships and survival strategies will be core drivers of tension alongside the film’s creature-based threats.
Filming logistics and visual approach
Shooting in the south of France allows production to stage extensive water-bound sequences and controlled environments to replicate a submerged Paris. The sequel will likely balance practical effects with visual effects to depict the film’s mutated sharks and the flooded urban terrain convincingly. Crews face the dual challenge of crafting convincing aquatic sequences and maintaining the grounded human drama that made the first installment resonate. Production sources indicate a focus on atmospheric, practical set pieces that keep audiences close to the characters while delivering the visceral thrills expected from this kind of genre filmmaking.
Legacy and audience impact
The original film achieved remarkable streaming reach, registering more than 102 million views since its 2026 release, and became the most-watched French title on Netflix. It also ranks as the platform’s second most popular non-English language film, an impressive position that helped justify a sequel despite early industry skepticism. The first movie overcame initial financing hurdles in its home market, and its success on streaming platforms transformed it into a global talking point. That unexpected momentum has now translated into a clear plan to build a franchise with broader creative input.
Critical response and expectations
Critics noted that the original reinvigorated a genre that had grown predictable, with at least one review drawing a favorable comparison to the benchmark shark thriller Jaws. Such responses framed the movie as a refreshing, crowd-pleasing entry that combined suspense with spectacle. With Alexandre Aja taking over directorial duties, expectations are for a bolder, perhaps darker approach that leans into both horror mechanics and character-driven stakes. Audiences and industry watchers will be watching how the sequel balances homage, innovation and the logistical demands of a water-centric actioner.
As production continues, details about release timing remain to be announced, but the continuation of cast and creative involvement suggests the team aims to honor what worked while pushing the story into new territory. The decision to bring back familiar faces, pair them with a new director, and commit to sizable on-location shoots signals that the makers view Under Paris 2 as more than an isolated follow-up — it is being positioned as a significant step forward for a franchise that started as a surprise streaming phenomenon. Fans of high-concept creature features should expect a mix of suspense, practical thrills and narrative surprises.