Rating: ★★☆☆½ (2.5/5 Stars)
Released 06-21-2024
Watched 10-12-2024
Reviewed 12-12-2024
Watch on Hulu
"If it does come back again, you need to punch him in the nose, or in the eyes, or the gills, okay? My dad always wanted us to be prepared."
The 2024 film Something in the Water dives into familiar waters but fails to make a significant splash. With a premise we've seen before in films like Open Water, The Shallows, and The Reef, the movie is centered around a group of friends stranded in shark-infested waters. While the shark-infested thriller genre is a proven formula for suspense, Something in the Water struggles to bring anything fresh to the table.
One of the film's major issues is its lack of character development. The ensemble cast starts with potential, but only a couple of the characters are fleshed out enough to make the audience care about their fates. When characters are picked off by the lurking menace, their deaths feel more like plot points rather than emotional turning points. Without sufficient backstory or emotional depth, it's hard to feel invested in their survival.
Another significant problem is the pacing, especially in the middle portion of the film. The beginning sets the stage decently, with rising tension as the group becomes stranded. However, once they're stuck in the water, the plot becomes sluggish. There are long stretches where the tension plateaus, and the film feels drawn out. This "long in the middle" pacing is a common pitfall in survival thrillers, and Something in the Water unfortunately doesn't escape it. The stakes feel high at first, but the middle of the movie drags on, losing the momentum needed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The shark attacks, when they do happen, are well executed with solid visual effects, but they aren’t enough to save the movie from feeling like a rehash of better films in the genre. Is Something in the Water better than its predecessors? That’s debatable. While it offers some moments of genuine suspense, it doesn’t elevate the genre or bring anything new that would make it stand out.
Overall, Something in the Water is a one-time watch for fans of shark thrillers. With weak character development and pacing that kills its tension, this film feels more like a missed opportunity.
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