The James Cameron sci-fi film The Abyss has been taken down from Disney Plus UK, following the inclusion of a controversial scene involving animal mistreatment that violated longstanding British content regulations. The scene’s history and renewed attention ultimately led the streaming platform to withdraw the movie in response to recent concerns.
Controversial Scene Prompts Removal from Disney Plus
Released in 1989, The Abyss features a memorable moment where a rat is submerged in fluorocarbon liquid during a key sequence. This act, filmed with a live animal, sparked immediate backlash from animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA. Despite assurances that the rat was unharmed, organizations protested the ethics of the scene, and its inclusion led to it being cut from all UK releases since the late 1980s.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) formally banned the sequence under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. That restriction meant the scene could not be screened in UK theaters or included in any physical home media, due to further enforcement through the Video Recordings Act 1984. Over the years, this resulted in every local release omitting the controversial footage.
Early 2024 Release Sparks Renewed Scrutiny
Despite these established restrictions, earlier this year a version containing the original rat scene was made available through Disney Plus to UK subscribers. This oversight quickly drew criticism from animal rights campaigners and film industry observers. The RSPCA publicly advocated once again for the film’s removal until it complied with British laws and ethical standards on animal welfare.
“This isn’t about cancel culture – we’d welcome Disney Plus reinstating the film to their platform, just with this troubling scene removed – as is already the case in cinemas, on TV, and on DVD,”
—RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs
Representatives from the RSPCA emphasized their focus was on consistency and the removal of unacceptable content, not a broader attempt to suppress the film itself.
“This was instead about highlighting a loophole that currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes – and protecting the public from having to see this animal abuse content.”
—RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs
The Abyss and Its Legacy
Starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn, The Abyss tells the story of a search and recovery team exploring the depths of the ocean near the Caribbean in pursuit of a sunken submarine, only to encounter unexpected and mysterious forces. While James Cameron is renowned for breakthrough films, this title has faced persistent challenges in the UK due to its intersection with animal rights concerns and classification law.
Disney Plus UK has now responded to the latest campaign by removing The Abyss from its streaming service, underscoring the continued influence of groups like the RSPCA and the regulatory power of the BBFC. As of now, UK audiences cannot access the film via Disney Plus, but there are suggestions it could return once a compliant version is made available. Meanwhile, other major films and shows remain accessible on the platform, offering viewing alternatives amid this ongoing controversy.
