Jan. 19, 2024

Night Swim

Night Swim dives into the horror genre with a spine-tingling twist on aquatic fears as they weave sinister levity with a conventional supernatural narrative. By: Wee Yan Ling

Genres: Horror, Mystery & thriller

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Length: 1h 38m

Producers: James Wan, Jason Blum 

Production company(s):  Atomic Monster, Blumhouse Productions

Description

Night Swim dives into the horror genre with a spine-tingling twist on aquatic fears as they weave sinister levity with a conventional supernatural narrative.

Despite the film’s potential for a unique morality play, it had confirmed itself to clichéd elements as viewers are left yearning for a deeper dive into its uncanny underwater world. 

Producers Jason Blum and James Wan are famous for their elite contributions to the world of horror films and hence once again delivered a new spine-chilling narrative with tones of dark humour in their recent Night Swim. The film takes a departure from the conventional haunted objects as they utilise the seemingly tranquil pool to execute their horror narrative.

Their choice of pool, featuring an average, rectangular pool as their vessel of terror helps to amplify the eerie atmosphere. The menacing aura from the pool is nconveniently portrayed during the real-estate showing, unravels in classic horror fashion as the Wallers, the unsuspecting new residents encounter strange apparitions and uncover unsettling voices from the waters.

As the unravels, it is made known to us that their home sits atop a natural spring with wish-granting powers. A narrative thread that introduces the potential for a fascinating morality play akin to Tales from the Crypt. However, the narratives steer another path as the water responds to Ray Waller’s call for healing.

The film taps into our primal aquatic fears, however the potential for creative underwater cinematography has not been explored and utilised fully.

The film also incorporates clichéd film elements from other horror classics which drowns itself in its own potential sea of unoriginality.

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