Shark Whisperer

Matt Roush says...

Sharks are everywhere on TV. With the hubbub over the 50th anniversary of Jaws (streaming on Peacock, coming to Netflix on July 15), and with National Geographic‘s SharkFest and Discovery’s Shark Week looming in July, this documentary co-directed by My Octopus Teacher Oscar winner James Reed hopes to demystify the creatures of the deep in a profile of shark and marine conservationist Ocean Ramsey. Viral underwater videos of Ramsey swimming with sharks, stroking and otherwise getting up close and personal with them are intended, she says, to “prove to the world that they’re not monsters.” And should her shark encounters end badly, “don’t blame the shark.” Her critics don’t, directing their cynicism at Ramsey, suggesting her antics are more for show than for science. You be the judge.

What's Worth Watching (Jun 30)