Every James Cameron Movie Ranked Worst To Best
7. The Abyss (1989)
Based on a short story James Cameron wrote in high school, The Abyss was filmed largely underwater (around 40% of it was shot this way, which required both cast and crew to undergo weeks of deep sea diving training), and finds the director in already familiar territory, crafting a zippy thriller around gutsy production.
The story of a US recovery team sent to investigate a sunken submarine, its biggest strength is its cramped sets and claustrophobic suspense, which brings Ed Harris and Michael Beihn face-to-face with the vast horror and unknowable secrets of the open ocean.
Its action lets it down, Cameron going for tension rather than explosive violence and high body counts, but The Abyss, simple story and predictability and all, is still Cameron crafting a competent thrill ride worth returning to. He's not pushing himself, but he's still getting the job done with plenty of flare.