If you’ve seen one shark movie where people are stranded at sea, you’ve seen them all. Something in the Water is set up in a similar way to creature features like The Reef and Shark Bait.
Hayley Easton Street’s feature directorial debut starts with a prologue that introduces us to the firm union of Meg (Hiftu Quasem) and Kayla. As they walk hand in hand through the city streets of London a group of street-smart ladies immediately take offense at the sight of them and when Kayla retorts with a two-handed middle finger salute, they attack.
Grabbing Meg by the back of the head, they pull her down the stairs and proceed to stomp and kick her while holding Kayla (Natalie Mitson) back.
The wedding takes a back seat to the friends getting back together to heal old wounds and mend broken fences. It’s been a year since they were all together after Kayla and Meg broke up. When they first see each other, they exchange awkward platitudes and a belated apology.
The trailer performs well in a convincing montage featuring five young ladies about to take a short vacay in the lead-up to one of them getting married.
Filmmakers make use of Meg’s anxiety disorder which also features heavily in the Something in the Water movie trailer. The trailer is what I would consider a decent glimpse into the mood and atmosphere of the creature feature.
More shark movies? Watch The Last Breath, No Way Up, or Maneater, or Under Paris next.
Something in the Water Film
With a day to go, the wild child of the group, Cam (Nicole Rieko Setsuko) takes their adventure-making into her own hands. Complete with a rickety boat and some directions to a secluded island, they ditch the two estranged lovers so they have an opportunity to make up.
The group relaxes amidst the stunning backdrop and local advice.
The bride is the first one to point out that the water is shark-infested as one victim begins to bleed convincingly in the water and subsequently onto the sand.
Like all good shark movies, an emergency is usually where the ill-prepared come undone. As soon as they put Ruth into the boat Cam borrowed for their excursion, and try calling for help, they realise abandoning their phones and not telling anyone where they are might have been a mistake. On top of that, they let the only person who can’t swim drive and find themselves stranded at sea with one life jacket.
Plausibility is cited amongst viewer criticism but if you’ve never been unprepared somewhere you shouldn’t be then you’re better than I. However, Cat Clarke’s writing undermines the friendships between the girls by making it a surprise that Lizzie can’t drown. Fortunately, performances from all in the cast manage the situations without too much pandering dialogue and this small annoyance is quickly forgiven.
Something in the Water quickly descends into a battle of wills with Kayla overcoming her panic-ridden state left over from her brutal attack. Aside from being very familiar considering films like The Shallows (especially in the final act) this is a shark movie that doesn’t disappoint too much. Each of the remaining survivors tries to make amends depending on what they think their part was in the dilemma. The drama eats into the tension leaving a feeling of sadness rather than terror.
On the upside, the final act sinks into a final girl showdown, that is nicely executed.
Female Survival Thrillers
The cinematography is a mix of superb underwater shots, aerial footage and balmy weather.
Special effects are used sparingly and well for the pesky shark as it circles and takes out the dwindling friendships one by one. Ultimately, There’s Something in the Water is about how we deal with trauma rather than making the shark the main star of the film. In this instance, it works nicely
Something in the Water is rated
3 Double weddings out of 5
Fear finds new depths
Director: Hayley Easton Street
Writer: Cat Clarke
Stars: Lauren Lyle, Hiftu Quasem, Nicole Rieko Setsuko, Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart, and, Natalie Mitson
Something in the Water was released on VOD on May 3-5th, 2024 in the USA and UK.
“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 official website for “Something in the Water” written by Cat Clarke (Good Omens TV Show.)
There's Something in the Water
Director: Hayley Easton Street
Date Created: 2024-03-22 16:50
3.5
