‘Shark Girl’ VOD Review
Stars: Alexandra Corin Johnston, Sumayyah Ameerah, Nick Tag, Ryan Bertroche, Devon Odessa, John Griffin, Randolph Summiel, Brian Guest, Delaney Hogan | Written and Directed by Justin Shilton, Rob Zazzali
Despite its title, Shark Girl is not the aquatic creature feature you might be expecting. Outside of a fleeting glimpse of a shark, there’s very little in the way of actual shark action. Instead, the film plays more like a low-budget vampire story with a shark-themed twist.
The setup is pure B-movie pulp: an influencer is bitten during a Venice Beach photoshoot by a radioactive shark, mutated by nuclear waste. Much like a watery spin on Spider-Man’s origin, she begins transforming—not into a true shark hybrid, but into a bloodthirsty predator with sharp fangs and a growing taste for human flesh. As bodies start piling up, her friends reluctantly step into a Van Helsing-style role, attempting to stop their once-close companion before things spiral completely out of control.
What works best is the concept. While the budget is clearly minimal, the idea of a shark-inspired vampire film is at least unusual. Cinematography is surprisingly competent, with some well-composed shots and effective use of lighting, particularly in the final act where the title character lurks in shadow. Performances are uneven, but Alexandra Corin Johnston, who plays the titular Shark Girl brings a vampy, predatory energy that elevates the material. A secondary female lead also shines, unexpectedly stepping into protagonist territory and providing a likeable anchor.
Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t fully deliver on the fun premise. Effects are minimal – mostly prosthetic teeth and fake blood – leaving Shark Girl more like “Vampire Girl” with a dental gimmick. The script never explores the more shark-like traits that could have distinguished the character, such as aquatic compulsions or physical transformation. Continuity issues, underdeveloped side characters, and unresolved subplots only underline the lack of polish. The tone also wavers, never fully committing to campy schlock or serious horror, leaving it stuck in an awkward middle ground.
In the end, Shark Girl is a film with a premise stronger than its execution. It’s competently shot and occasionally fun, but its missed opportunities prevent it from sinking its teeth in. For those looking for a quirky, vampire-esque B-movie with a gimmick, it’s watchable. But as a shark movie? Don’t hold your breath.
**½ 2.5/5
Shark Girl is available to stream on digital platforms such as Tubi, Roku, Amazon and Apple, now.
