The River (2012)
A supernatural found-footage thriller that plunges a desperate family into the darkest, most dangerous corners of the Amazon jungle.
The River - Series Information
- Original Title: The River
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Created by: Michael R. Perry, Oren Peli
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 43 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: February 7, 2012 (United States - TV-MA), February 7, 2012 (Germany - 18), February 7, 2012 (Spain - 12)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: La rivière (FR)
- Production Companies: Haunted Movies, ABC Studios, Amblin Television, J. A. Green Construction
- Production Countries: United States of America
The River - Plot
Wildlife expert and TV personality Emmet Cole sets course around the world with his wife, Tess, and son, Lincoln, while filming what would become one of the most popular shows in television. After he goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him.
The River - Trailer
See what awaits in the uncharted depths of the Amazon:
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The River - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Michael R. Perry
- Oren Peli
Main Cast
- Bruce Greenwood
- Joe Anderson
- Leslie Hope
- Eloise Mumford
- Paul Blackthorne
- Thomas Kretschmann
- Daniel Zacapa
- Shaun Parkes
- Paulina Gaitán
- Scott Michael Foster
Writers
- Michael Green
- Zack Estrin
- Michael R. Perry
- Aron Eli Coleite
- Wendy Battles
Executive Producers
- Michael Green
- Steven Spielberg
- Darryl Frank
- Justin Falvey
- Steven Schneider
The River - FAQs
Is The River based on a true story?
The River is not based on a true story. It's an original supernatural thriller conceived by Michael R. Perry and Oren Peli — the latter known for creating Paranormal Activity. The show draws on found-footage horror conventions and jungle mythology to craft its fictional narrative, rather than any real-life events.
Why was The River cancelled after one season?
ABC cancelled The River in May 2012 after its debut season drew disappointing ratings. Despite strong early buzz and a high-profile executive producer in Steven Spielberg, viewership declined steadily across the eight-episode run. The network opted not to renew, leaving the story unresolved and fans without a proper conclusion.
What is The River about?
The River follows the family and crew of renowned wildlife explorer Emmet Cole as they venture deep into the Amazon to find him after he vanishes. Shot in a found-footage style, the series blends supernatural horror with jungle adventure, uncovering dark, otherworldly forces lurking in the uncharted wilderness.
Where can you watch The River?
The River is available to purchase digitally. You can buy episodes or the full season on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. There is currently no subscription streaming option, so a digital purchase is the most straightforward way to watch the series.
Who created The River TV series?
The River was created by Michael R. Perry, a veteran TV writer known for his work on Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, and Oren Peli, the filmmaker behind the original Paranormal Activity. Their shared background in found-footage horror shaped the series' distinctive visual style and unsettling atmosphere.
What is the found-footage style used in The River?
The River uses a found-footage format, presenting events through recovered camera footage — handheld cameras, surveillance feeds, and documentary-style recordings. This technique, popularized by the Paranormal Activity franchise, creates an immersive, claustrophobic tension and blurs the line between reality and horror, making the Amazon feel genuinely threatening.
How was The River received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Reviewers praised the show's atmospheric tension, inventive found-footage approach, and strong production values backed by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television. However, many felt the characters were underdeveloped and the pacing uneven. The series earned a modest following among horror enthusiasts but never broke through to mainstream audiences.
What shows are similar to The River?
If The River's blend of supernatural mystery and isolation gripped you, try FROM, Wayward Pines, or The Leftovers for similarly eerie, mythology-driven storytelling. The Walking Dead shares its survival-horror intensity, while The Changeling offers a more recent take on dark, folklore-infused dread. Lazarus is another recent pick for fans of the genre.
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