Underwater Review

The sporadic moments of action and suspense scattered throughout the submerged creature-feature Underwater from director William Eubank manages to generate some effective thrills, but ultimately fails to find any uniqueness within its narrative. Formulaic and derivative sequences create scenes that are far too predictable, while the motives and arcs of each character feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional. The competent filmmaking, stylistic direction, and reliable performances keep much of the film a serviceable experience. Still, the positives of Underwater cannot make up for its blatantly generic story structure and its willingness to be unimaginative.

When a mysterious earthquake devastates an underwater drilling laboratory that sits on the seafloor 7 miles below surface level, the small crew aboard must rush to find a way to survive. Unfortunately, the team discovers that their best option is to venture across the seafloor to reach the main facility, a dangerous task that proves much deadlier when they find out that a strange and terrifying creature lurks in the depth amongst them.

Underwater hosts a collection of elements that work in the films favour, excellent production design and well-executed special effects help create a moody tone that’s consistently effective. The dark and menacing cinematography by Bojan Bazelli compliments the sub-aquatic atmosphere in ways that help it feel fittingly claustrophobic and tense. Eubanks direction has moments of brilliance that, when paired with convincing performances by Kirsten Stewart and Vincent Cassel, shows that Underwater can produce enough positives for an entertaining thriller, despite its lack of any lasting appeal.

However, the positives of the film are never able to embed the originality needed for the film to be successful in its execution. Many of the story beats feel like cheapened renditions of something seen out of Alien, emulating its structure with less extravagant and effective results. This unfortunate lack of drive in various sequences of action and suspense causes Underwater to lose a lot of its intensity long before its midway point, causing the film to feel waterlogged with a narrative that becomes generic due to an evident lack of creativity.

Overall, the competent filmmaking and compelling performances throughout Underwater are evident, but its consistent predictability is a constant letdown that spoils many of the film's more notable elements. The confined and deluged environment with impressive special effects will surely be enough to entertain some, but those expecting an authentic journey will be greatly disappointed.

Eubank's capable direction and the film's effective production design isn't enough to keep Underwater engaging due to its easily foreseeable plot.

Produced By: 20th Century Fox
Runtime: 95 minutes
Rating: PG-13