PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Underwater is a science fiction thriller from January 10, 2020, and it’s a bit underrated and needlessly hated. In fact, Rotten Tomatoes does not hold back in its critique of the flick, saying Underwater‘s strong cast and stylish direction aren’t enough to distract from the strong sense of déjà vu provoked by this claustrophobic thriller’s derivative story.”
However, notably, the “Popcornmeter” on this one is considerably higher than the “Tomatometer,” which suggests this movie was made more for sc-fi thriller fans than for critics. That’s who I am mostly talking to.
Directed by William Eubank, the film stars Kristen Stewart in the lead role, along with Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie, and T.J. Miller. The story is heavily influenced by the survival-horror genre and has drawn comparisons to films like Alien for its atmosphere and themes, though I would say this film stands on its own pretty well. It never struck me as an “Alien” rip-off, or whatever some critics out there might say.
Plot of Underwater
[SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!]
The story follows a group of researchers and engineers working at a deep-sea drilling facility called Kepler 822, located seven miles below the surface of the ocean. When a catastrophic earthquake damages the station, the crew is forced to don pressurized suits and traverse the dangerous ocean floor to reach safety at another outpost. Along the way, they discover that the earthquake has unleashed deadly, mysterious creatures that threaten their survival.
The film explores themes of survival, the unknown dangers of deep-sea exploration, and human perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. Much of the action takes place in confined spaces or the pitch-black depths of the ocean, which creates a tense and claustrophobic mood and perhaps some butterflies in your stomach.
Also, as mentioned, the film features unique and eerie underwater creatures, with a notable reveal near the end involving a massive, Lovecraftian-style monster that has been interpreted as a nod to the fictional “indescribable” entity Cthulhu.
Kristen Stewart’s Performance: Actually Good!
Kristen Stewart gets crap for starring in the Twilight franchise, and you know what? I haven’t seen those movies, but I get it; her character is apparently not that emotive, and some people have made fun of that. However, here in this film, Stewart plays Norah Price, the film’s protagonist, delivering a strong performance that anchors the emotional and action-heavy elements of the movie. I have no critiques of significance, though I suppose I could rewatch it and pick apart and bully the movie if I really wanted to.
Practical Effects and Cinematography
The film is visually striking, with impressive underwater sequences and a reliance on practical effects to heighten realism. Due to its action, this is the type of story where designing practically every shot makes sense. That’s why it’s impressive how organically the scenes flow together. Granted, I am sure someone would watch this and find flaws I missed (or whatever), but I never really lost my place as the events unfolded — a sign that things are pretty well done, when things can move at a rapid pace.
Final Thoughts
Underwater received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics praised its tense atmosphere, strong performances, and commitment to its horror elements, but some found its plot derivative and criticized it for not fully exploring its deeper themes. However, I have to wonder just how groundbreaking a film must be for some of these critics to just say “It’s good enough!”
I think it’s more about a straightforward, action-driven approach to storytelling, and no movie is really designed for someone whose attitude is to sigh at every incoming trope imaginable.
The film had a production budget of approximately $50-80 million but underperformed at the box office, grossing around $41 million worldwide. Its release in January, a traditionally slow month for movies, and minimal marketing were factors that may have contributed to its lackluster financial performance. It’s also likely that, to some extent, the film was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though that wasn’t in full swing globally by January of 2020, news of COVID was spreading at the time, and it probably reduced the odds of some people heading out to theaters, even in those early stages.
If you’re a fan of tense, atmospheric thrillers with a sci-fi edge, Underwater is worth a watch!
