Netflix has released Shark Whisperer, a new documentary that centers on the polarizing figure of Ocean Ramsey, a marine conservationist and social media personality whose work has sparked both global fascination and fierce debate. Directed by James Reed, known for the Academy Award-winning My Octopus Teacher, alongside J.P. Stiles and Harrison Macks, the documentary moves beyond the traditional nature film format to present an unflinching look at one of the most contentious topics in modern environmentalism. The project, produced by Boardwalk Pictures and Underdog Films, leverages the prestige of Reed’s previous work to draw audiences into a much more complex and morally ambiguous examination of the relationship between humans and animals.
At the center of the spectacle: a mission to decode predators
The documentary’s narrative is anchored in Ocean Ramsey and her stated mission to fundamentally alter the public perception of sharks. The film portrays her as driven by a desire to “get out of the cage,” both literally and metaphorically, to interact directly with apex predators like great white and tiger sharks in their natural habitat. Her goal, as articulated in the film, is to decode the language and behavior of sharks through close, unprotected interaction, hoping to dismantle the culturally ingrained image of sharks as mindless monsters. This mission is rooted in her background as a Hawaii-born conservationist and co-founder of the diving company One Ocean Diving. The film’s visual core is built around stunning underwater cinematography capturing these encounters, which Ramsey has used to build a massive global following, turning her into what the documentary calls a “social media lightning rod.” Her work is presented as a direct confrontation with a cultural narrative largely shaped by Hollywood. The spectacle of a woman swimming freely alongside a great white shark serves as a powerful form of cultural counter-programming, an image designed to overwrite decades of fear-based media. The documentary focuses on how her viral videos are a conscious tool in a battle of narratives, where powerful, shareable images are the primary weapon against a deeply rooted phobia. Ramsey’s perspective, as presented in the film, is that humanity must learn to adapt to the predatory role of sharks rather than continue to fear and vilify them.
The fault line of modern conservation: advocate or ‘influencer’?
The documentary’s central tension is built around a single, polarizing question: Is Ocean Ramsey a fearless advocate or a reckless “influencer”? The film meticulously breaks down this duality, presenting the arguments from both sides without taking a definitive stance. To her supporters, she is a “conservation queen,” a passionate voice for misunderstood animals whose work produces tangible results. The film highlights her role as a “powerful agent of change,” specifically noting her successful legislative efforts, which were instrumental in passing a ban on shark killing in the state of Hawaii. Ramsey herself defends her methods by pointing to this achievement, along with her educational outreach and environmental cleanup initiatives, as proof that her mission is not driven by a quest for “influence” or “likes.”
Conversely, the documentary gives equal weight to her critics, who see her as the embodiment of a troubling trend: “self-promotion disguised as environmentalism.” This perspective, voiced in the film by marine biologists and other concerned conservationists, suggests that she blurs the line between saving the planet and seeking the spotlight. The criticism is rooted in the idea that her high-risk, cage-free interactions are a form of spectacle that could endanger both her and the animals, all while feeding social media’s demand for increasingly dramatic content. The film suggests this conflict is not unique to Ramsey but is an emerging crisis for the entire field of conservation in the digital age. The very mechanisms of the “influencer” economy that provide her with a global platform—viral content, personal branding, and media attention—are the same ones that expose her to accusations of egocentric self-promotion. The documentary posits that her influence and legislative successes are inextricably linked to the controversial methods she employs, presenting a “new form of conservation where science, activism, and self-promotion intersect.” It forces the viewer to confront the uncomfortable possibility that, in the 21st century, effective advocacy may require tools that are inherently ethically complex.
Shark Whisperer distinguishes itself by functioning not as a simple biography or hagiography, but as a nuanced, polyphonic character study. The directors weave a complex tapestry of perspectives, ensuring Ramsey’s narrative is constantly contextualized, challenged, and enriched by a chorus of other voices. The film supplements intimate footage of Ramsey’s dives with candid interviews from a wide range of stakeholders, including marine biologists, indigenous knowledge holders, and other conservationists, whose opinions are both supportive and dissenting. This structural choice is central to the film’s objective tone, moving the discussion beyond one individual to frame a broader conversation about the ethics of wildlife interaction, the integrity of ecological science, and the powerful role of media in shaping public perception.
The inclusion of “fellow conservationists” allows the film to explore different models of activism within the human-shark interaction field. The work of specialists like Cristina Zenato, known for her own unique, hands-on relationship with Caribbean reef sharks and who was instrumental in the campaign to make the Bahamas a shark sanctuary, provides a wider context for the community in which Ramsey operates. By placing the empirical data of scientists and the ancestral wisdom of indigenous leaders alongside Ramsey’s charismatic media narrative, the documentary creates a microcosm of the very ecosystem it is analyzing. It forces different forms of knowledge and authority into direct conversation, prompting the audience to actively weigh the validity of each narrator’s perspective. The film’s construction is therefore as significant as its content; it does not merely report on a debate but immerses the viewer within it.
Beyond one woman: the big questions about nature
Ultimately, Shark Whisperer widens its focus from one woman’s story to the urgent, universal questions her work provokes. The documentary concludes that this is not just a story about sharks, but a profound examination of “how we choose to tell stories—about nature, about ourselves, and about what we’re willing to risk to be heard.” It challenges viewers to critically consider who is given the power to shape public perception of the natural world and what the real-world consequences of those narratives are. To ground this philosophical inquiry, the film presents a stark, sobering statistic: humans are responsible for killing an estimated 100 million sharks each year, while sharks kill fewer than 10 people annually. This fact transforms the central conflict from an academic debate to a matter of pressing ecological importance, underscoring the high stakes of the conservation movement. The film offers no easy answers, instead leaving the audience to grapple with the complex, vital questions it raises about the future of environmental advocacy in a media-saturated world.
Shark Whisperer premiered globally on Netflix on June 30.
