Netflix’s Thrash Cast And Characters Guide

As a B-horror fan, I genuinely liked director Tommy Wirkola’s daring mishmash entries like “Dead Snow”, “Violent Night” – which is why him subscribing to trite survival horror with shark gimmick feels such a downgrade of his craft. Keeping aside the perverse trope of villainizing majestic predators like sharks, with abysmal plotline and playing it safe approach, the narrative lacks serious bite. I wish I could say that the characterization is one of the silver linings of “Thrash”, but it really isn’t and the cast is provided with extremely underwritten, generic roles to keep the narrative going. 

Lisa Fields Played By Phoebe Dynevor 

English actor Phoebe Dynevor has been associated with British small screen ventures since a young age, and some of her notable performances include “Waterloo Road”, “Prisoners’ Wives”, “Dickensian”, “Snatch”, “Bridgerton”. Some of Phoebe’s acclaimed silver screen roles include “Inheritance”, “Fair Play”, etc. In “Thrash”, Phoebe plays the role of Lisa Fields, a pregnant employee of Annieville meat packing plant, who is nearing her term. She gets caught up in the absolute calamity when the category five hurricane ravages the town. Before viewers even learn anything about Lisa, she can be identified as a victim of seedy corporate ploys which doesn’t care about the ethical ramifications of mistreating its employees at all. Whatever suspense, tension the narrative manages to conjure up is driven by a pregnant Lisa trying to protect her soon to be born child in the midst of natural catastrophe and shark infested waters. Although it can be argued that her character already had plot armour as the narrative chose a much safer approach throughout anyway. A unique narrative  parallel exists between Lisa, and Nellie, the pregnant great white shark who ends up unwittingly protecting her from a near death situation by killing an aggressive bull shark – although it remains a half hearted attempt to form connection between  man and beast to show how natural disaster affects both equally. Having emerged as one of the survivors and experiencing  remarkable instances of kindness, bravery from fellow survivors, Lisa will grow as a character, and will have quite a story to tell to her child. 

Dale Edwards Played By Djimon Hounsou

Criminally underrated and under-utilized Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou has a prolific acting career spanning over four decades. Having gained global acclaim with his performances in “Amistad”, “Blood Diamond”, “In America”, “Gladiator”, Hounsou has been closely associated with pop culture media in recent years – acting in  both DC and Marvel live action movies which include “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume One”, “Shazam!”, “Constantine”, “Aquaman” etc. in “Thrash”, he plays the role of marine biologist Dale Edwards, who advice about shark behavioural traits prove crucial for his orphaned niece, Dakota, to save herself and protect Lisa. Dale’s childhood experience of animal encounter inspired him to choose his vocation as shark expert, and even though the narration of the experience is greatly exaggerated, his character feels relatable for viewers who have a knack for learning about all things nature. A courageous, determined and wise researcher, Dale knows how to keep one’s composure in distress and uses his presence of mind to rescue Annieville survivors in the end. It’s a shame that Hounsou’s character was given pretty limited screentime and barely enough meat. 

Dakota Edwards Played By Whitney Peak

Ugandan-Canadian actor Whitney Peak gained recognition thanks to her performance in HBO Max’s revival of “Gossip Girl”. Aside from that, she has acted in several popular small screen ventures like DC’s “Legends of Tomorrow”  “iZombie”, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” to name a few. In “Thrash” she plays the role of Dakota Edwards, Dale’s niece who has recently lost her mother, with whom she used to share a strong connection. Despite having the chance to leave before the cyclone hit the town, Dakota’s Agoraphobia made it impossible for her to do so. When things escalated at a rapid pace, with a pregnant Lisa trapped in front of her in shark infested floodwater, Dakota tapped into her inner courage to rise above her fears. Risking her life to protect Lisa and look for means to bring her to safety, Dakota showed her ingenuity, presence of mind and mental strength. By the end, Dakota’s experience, heroic actions helped her getting over her mental blockage, and emerge as an inspiring figure. 

Billy Olsen Played By Matt Nable

Australian director, actor and former rugby player, Matt Nable has previously acted in movies like “The Turning”, “Hacksaw Ridge”, “Riddick”, and in tv series such as “Arrow”, “Mr. Inbetween”, “Apple Cider Vinegar” to name a few. In “Thrash”, he plays the role of Billy Olsen, shrewd, greedy, abusive foster father of Dee, Will and Ron. Having no moral qualms, Billy doesn’t think twice to steal from the government allocated funding for his foster children, and mistreating them at the same time. Nable is a natural in playing villainous characters, and his portrayal of Billy Olsen is no exception. 

Miscellaneous Characters 

Aside from the main characters, “Thrash” features an ensemble of supporting cast who did their job well with the material they were given. Alyla Brown plays the role of Dee, the elder sister of Will and Ron. Stacy Clausen plays the role of Ron, the elder brother, and Dante Ubaldi plays Will. Andrew Lees plays the role of opportunistic news reporter, Joe Sprinkle, and Amy Mathews did well as Rachel, Bill’s wife. 

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