Review: The horror film NIGHT SWIMMING drowns in missed opportunities

Night swim, a horror film that promised to bring a chilling story of a supernatural presence in a backyard pool, unfortunately, fails to deliver the spine-chilling experience that the filmmakers had anticipated. Directed by Bryce McGuire and produced by renowned horror directors such as James Wan AND Jason Blumthe film hosts a strong cast, including Wyatt Russell AND Kerry Condon. Yet it sinks under the weight of unexplored potential and clichéd storytelling.

The premise of the film, based on the 2014 short film by Rod Blackhurst AND Bryce McGuire, centers on Ray Waller (Russell), a former major league baseball player, and his family, who move to a new house only to encounter a malevolent force residing in their swimming pool. This setup promised an intriguing exploration of a unique horror tradition but, unfortunately, the film merely skims the surface of its concept.

The plot of Night swim it had all the ingredients to deviate from the beaten path of horror films. However, she chose to go down a very predictable and clichéd path. There was potential to delve into the more endearing aspects of the lore, but the film opts for a safer, less inventive approach. The end result feels like a missed opportunity to offer something fresh and engaging to the horror genre.

There are also some creative choices made in the film that don’t make any sense. Some plot developments often feel forced and unnecessary, lacking the depth or logic to make them compelling or meaningful. There is a clear underestimation of the audience’s intelligence, with the film often giving away information and relying on overused horror clichés.

The third act of Night swim this is where the narrative truly unfolds. The pacing, which is already uneven throughout, completely collapses, leading to an ending that feels both rushed and unsatisfying. It’s a disappointing conclusion to a storyline that had the potential to be so much more.

Character development, or lack thereof, is another glaring issue. Most of the characters in the film are not intelligent and make the worst decisions. This is a common frustration I have with horror films. This lack of sound judgment not only makes it difficult to empathize with the characters, but it also pulls me out of the story that’s trying to be told and I find myself laughing at the situation instead of being absorbed by it.

Night swim is a horror film that had the potential to be a unique and exciting addition to the horror genre, but ends up being a classic case of unfulfilled potential. The short film that inspired the film is much better than the feature film that came out.