If you’re a regular visitor of Mother of Movies, you’ll know we love a shark movie or two. The bar is low but the expectation is always high when it comes to new shark films and the release of writer and director Justin Lee’s Maneater (Badland 2019) was no exception. Without further ado, I have to say, that this shark movie title could very well be my least favorite horror movie for 2022.
To start with, what let Maneater down the most was the spectacularly cheesy and rubbish dialogue. Closely followed by award-winning idiotic decision-making on behalf of the characters. And lastly, some of the cinematography outcomes were what you would expect while watching anything by The Asylum. The transitions from one scene to the next reminded me of when I use a publishing site called Canva and you can choose what sort of change you want between footage.
From giant sharks manipulating time and space by speed swimming in shallow water to oversized fins coming out of close-to-shore scenes, there was little to be impressed by. Some people who like movies love a schlock fest title and sometimes I do too (Velocipastor is a favorite of mine.) But sometimes when it comes to shark movies, I just want a little bit of tension, some well-executed scenes, and a good story.
Maneater Trailer 2022
“My daughter was eaten alive by a fucking fish.”
Quote from the movie Maneater (Trace Harkins)
Movies With Shark Attacks
The story follows Jessie (Nicky Whelan) and she’s just gone through the breakup from hell. To ease her pain, her buddies decide she should take the trip that was planned for her and her ex-lover. So Jessie does exactly that. While we watch Jessie and her overacting bestie Breanna sail away with the people she likes best, they talk about sharks. We are treated to the Great White doing its best bite work as it takes out surfers and people with gusto. To be fair in this shark movie, even though it isn’t the best, the kill scenes are not too bad. Filmmakers opted to use what looks like dummies and some shark graphics. I didn’t hate it.
To finish things off when the young frolicking friends are taken out one by one, Harlan (Trace Adkins, country music singer) does take the loss of his daughter as far as he can. If closing scenes are anything to judge from, I suspect a sequel might be anticipated. In saying that though, the end of Maneater is ripped straight from the script of Jaws. The title concludes with a reference to needing a bigger boat. And I’m not sure I want any more of that type of thing.
Maneater Lyrics
Just in case you watched this shark attack feature film and wondered why they didn’t use the Maneater song (either Nelly Furtado or Daryl Hall & John Oates would have done nicely. Here are a few of the lyrics to tide you over.
Maneater, make you work hard Make you spend hard, make you want all of her love She's a maneater, make you buy cars Make you cut cards, make you fall real hard in love
“The Shark Movies” You Should Watch
Sick of shark movies that suck? Well, I can’t help you with that, but here are a few of the better shark attack films that will show you a better time than Maneater.
Where to Watch the Maneater Shark Movie
Maneater is available on digital and VOD from Saban Films. For more options on where to watch Maneater, check JustWatch.com.
When is Shark Week?
Shark Week finishes at the end of July.
