Movie Review: Underwater (2020)

Underwater

Director: William Eubanks

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Jessica Henwick, Vincent Cassel, T.J. Miller, John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 95 minutes

From the opening of the shot, Underwater brings the viewers to the deep depth of the ocean with its fast-pace sequence of events. Frantic and tense, this claustrophobic thriller film includes cold and isolated feeling, but its mediocre premise and maximum use of plot-driven characterization makes it bland and remains a huge missed opportunity. Underwater is a unique film as it hits the right marks but somehow does not get exciting as the film reminds us of the significance of a build-up in a story to craft a suspenseful masterpiece.

When an unknown disaster strikes the facility center to breakdown, Noah (Kristen Stewart) and a crew of researchers try to get to safety but become overwhelmed by a lack of oxygen and an unknown creature, lurking beneath the dark waters. Sticking together with her crew members, including Emily (Jessica Henwick), Paul (TJ Miller), Liam (John Gallagher Jr.), Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie), and Lucien (Vincent Cassell), they try to find a safe place to get to an evacuation pod.

Many critics have said that this movie is similar to the Alien series and has some Ridley Scott vibes infused all over. While it does get its inspiration from Aliens, Kristen Stewart brings out a strong female role that is slightly different from Sigourney Weaver in the Alien series. She brings out her trademark acting style of remaining nervous and uncomfortable, bringing out a more subdued heroine, working well in the film. But what makes this film different from its predecessor is the collaboration of the crew members and that there are no bad-ass scenes in Underwater. Somehow, the greenish, murky tone of the film feels appropriate with the restrained action sequences and scares compared to other Sci-fi or thriller movies.

I have always had a fascination with the depths of the sea. In fact, it surprises me to think that most of the sci-fi movies take place in space when there are so many untapped resources and so much biodiversity at the bottom of the ocean. However, after watching Underwater, I realized why many directors prefer to go with the space setting because visually, your eyes get too tired of looking at the constant shade of green and teal color. The film takes place deep down in the ocean, so it makes sense that it has to be dark and murky. But looking at the same thing for a long time can tire viewers.

What’s more, Underwater tries to be a little bit of everything and loses its central message. One may think that by adding another detail or shade to the film, it will provide more depth to the story. But sometimes, it can also turn out to be a side effect and the amalgamation of all the different subjects and messages that the director is trying to throw at us makes it forced and unnatural. To be honest, it would have been much better if the film went with the sci-fi and thriller elements instead of tapping into the message about pro-environment issues. There were very brief dialogues in the middle of the film indicating that the industry has exhausted too many resources and entered unwelcome territory. But because this film lacks character development, inserting ocean creatures, environment, nature, girl power, and science becomes too cluttered.

Overall, Underwater somewhat maintains an exhilarating, claustrophobic atmosphere that is marred with dull visuals. The film starts out great, but it gets lost with its own narrative as it delves deeper into its own story. But Underwater serves its purpose by trying to entertain viewers instead of trying to be something new.