"There's got to be a morning after...it's waiting right outside the storm..."
synopsis
On New Year’s Eve, the luxury ocean liner Poseidon is overturned by a massive rogue wave. Trapped upside down, a small group of survivors led by Reverend Scott attempts to climb toward the hull — now the only possible escape point. As fires ignite and flooding intensifies, the group must navigate collapsing interiors and conflicting personalities.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
This film thrives on spatial inversion. The upside-down setting forces inventive staging and heightens tension. Gene Hackman’s driven, morally complex performance anchors the story, while the ensemble format allows for sacrifice and disagreement. It’s earnest, high-stakes, and physically convincing thanks to large practical sets. The film captures the era’s disaster ethos: courage amid systemic failure.
Classic film appreciation. Stormy weather outside. Group viewing.
Absurdist's Corner
A formal New Year’s party transitions seamlessly into an upside-down survival expedition.
fun facts
Won Academy Awards for song and special effects.
The inverted ballroom set was fully constructed for filming.
Sparked a wave of 1970s disaster epics.