QuickSand 2023, Watch It On Shudder

Shudder, the ultimate streaming service for horror, thrillers, and all things supernatural, just unleashed a survival thriller called “Quicksand”. A film straight out of Colombia and delivered in English released exclusively on Shudder starting on Friday, July 14. You can also catch it on AMC+. Written by the brilliant mind of Matt Pitts (the genius from Westworld) and directed by Andrés Beltrán (the guy behind Tarumama.)

Let’s dive into “Quicksand”. Picture this: a couple teetering on the edge of divorce heads to Colombia for a work conference. Josh (Allan Hawco) and Sofia (Carolina Gaitan) are clearly at odds. They’ve been separated for three months, but both are invited to speak at a seminar so they end up together in Bogota. On top of this, the hotel allocates the pair a twin hotel room, and with dinner plans on the first night, their mutual friend Marcos (Sebastian Eslavanot) doesn’t know they broke up.

Excited about an impending hike with Marco, Josh is surprised when Sofia eagerly jumps at the opportunity to take his place when he can’t make it. The hike is pleasant for both, but with a large storm approaching, Josh suggests they head back early. When they arrive at their car, they encounter a mean-looking Columbian who clearly means to rob them. In a tense showdown, the once-married duo escapes into the surrounding forest without much of their hiking gear.

Will Quicksand Bury Their Relationship?

The threat of impending death can often bring people closer together, and in the case of Sofia and Josh in the movie Quicksand, it is no different. As Sofia finds herself immersed in quicksand, fighting for her life, Josh jumps in to save her. In this 2023 thriller, the focus shifts from the typical portrayal of quicksand to a deeper exploration of human emotions and relationships. As Sofia and Josh navigate the dangerous situation they find themselves in, they are forced to communicate their true feelings and ultimately rely on each other for survival. But while this is going on, most of us are probably reminiscing about a certain horse in a certain Never Ending Story.

The surrounding forest exerts its power to ensnare any living being in its muddy grasp. There are plenty of things to bite Josh and Sofia. As I watched their struggle, I couldn’t help but wonder who would survive. “Quicksand” as a film fails to deliver the intense, heart-pounding experience I had anticipated. In reality, quicksand is not as treacherous as it is often portrayed. A quick online search reveals that the scientific evidence does not support the notion that quicksand pulls you down uncontrollably.

Sofia and Josh find themselves grappling with a mix of sentimental thoughts and a lack of resources. They brainstorm various rescue strategies, but many of them prove to be futile, thanks in part to Sofia’s irrational suggestions. Just when all hope seems lost, a sudden, dramatic twist occurs: a massive snake slithers into view. Sofia, a recent convert to vegetarianism, immediately empathizes with the creature’s protective instincts. She quickly deduces that the snake is guarding an accidental interloper – an egg that has somehow found its way into their proximity.

“I refuse to eat anything that had a mother”

Quote from Quciksand movie 2023

Watch the Trailer for the Quicksand Movie

Despite the desperate pleas of Josh and Sofia, the snake remains undeterred, acutely aware of the threat posed by the trapped pair. Realizing that time is running out, the formidable serpent takes decisive action.

The film “Quicksand” attempts to portray a rekindled romance between the characters Josh and Sofia in its final act. However, the lack of effective development of their relationship and the portrayal of their personalities make it difficult for this aspect to resonate. Additionally, the representation of the deadly quicksand bog as relatively small undermines the intended sense of relief.

Directed by: Andrés Beltrán

Starring: Carolina Gaitàn, Allan Hawco, Sebastian Eslava, Andrés Castañeda

Quicksand is rated

2.5 Not a lasso but close enough out of 5