UNDERWATER (2020)
As a famous sci-fi film character once said, “In space, there is no one to hear you scream”. It could be argued that you could also say, “At the bottom of the ocean, there is no one to see your bubbles”.
For decades, we have been given films that have been set in the far reaches of space, where we are paralyzed in fear as we are shown that anything that can go wrong, does, alien life forms terrorize the crew, and time is of the essence. In William Eubank’s, Underwater, we are treated to some of the same elements but the fear strikes closer to home. Taking place on our very own blue planet, terror rules the fathoms below.
Set at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, a team of oceanic researchers are suddenly thrust into a race for their lives, when an earthquake severely damages the rig. What follows is a pedal to the metal thriller that is sure to entertain and horrify all at once. To give any further details about the plot would do the viewer an injustice because it is the journey through the unknown that makes this film such a treat to view.
Being submerged miles below the surface may seem terrifying to any normal person but imagine being miles below the surface and something goes terribly wrong. The film wastes no time in throwing us directly into the action, which is one of its strongest points. We are not given a half hour of exposition because it isn’t needed, this is a story of the aftermath of a catastrophic event and how a group of people must battle against all odds to find a way back to the surface or die trying.
Deep water has always been a fear for most people and it can, most likely, be attributed to the darkness that it is comprised of. You never know what might be dwelling beneath the surface. Hence why Underwater is so effective. We are forced to reckon with the fact that anything could be lurking just beyond the glow of the headlamps attached to the team’s underwater suits, in a dark and murky world. This is where Eubank has crafted a masterful thriller, that harkens back to the days where suspense and fear of the unknown is what sparks fear within us. It isn’t just the unknown of the deepest part of our planet, it is the realization that our protagonists are in the most hostile part of the world with only their will to survive driving them onwards.
It is hard to find a sci-fi flick that appeals to all fans but Underwater may be the rare exception. It combines the drive of a badass female lead, a seemingly unneeded voice over playing in the station and a lot of great thrills and scares to get the blood pumping.
Hold your breath, count to ten and hold on tight because this is may be one dive you will want to take again and again.
