Review: ‘Night Swim’ doesn’t dive deep enough to make a big splash
“Night Swim” doesn’t bring anything new to the horror genre, leaving this film feeling like a pointless, empty belly flop
Ahhhh, January… here we are again. Known as the perennial dumping ground for studio films, any movie released in the first month of the year should come with a warning.
Horror movies released in January? Sound all the alarms.
After Universal, Blumhouse and Atomic Monster delivered one of the biggest surprises of the year last January in “M3GAN,” diving into the studios’ first 2024 horror flick, “Night Swim,” didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore.
Well… swim at your own risk.
“Night Swim” doesn’t bring anything new to the horror genre, instead rehashing the same tired storylines. However, its biggest sin comes just when things have the potential to become interesting, but instead of diving deeper, a rushed conclusion leaves this film feeling like a pointless, empty belly flop.
Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell) is a semi-retired MLB player, forced out of the game after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After spending years moving all around the country while bouncing between teams, Ray and his wife, Eve (Kerry Condon), decide to use the time away from baseball to allow their family to settle down in a new home and fight this battle together.
Ray, Eve and their children, the popular and social older sister Izzy (Amélie Hoeferle) and the scrawny, outcast younger brother Elliot (Gavin Warren), move into a new home with all the bells and whistles, including a swimming pool in the backyard – perfect for Ray’s hydrotherapy!
But while the pool – built atop a natural spring – works wonders for Ray, improving his physical and cognitive abilities and seemingly reversing his diagnosis, the other members of his family don’t have the same fondness for its magical waters. Hearing voices, seeing mysterious figures, and being dragged to the bottom of the deep end should be immediate red flags, but Ray’s family’s concerns fall to the wayside when he considers his own miraculous recovery – and what it means for a possible return to the major leagues.
“Night Swim” isn’t the worst movie ever by far, but it certainly isn’t making any waves in the realm of memorable horror. The initial two-thirds feel like a sluggish buildup, only for the final act to finish with no satisfying climax or resolution. Late in the film – too late – the story introduces an intriguing concept: the curse of the pool involves a willing participant, not just a mindless monster. Someone on the outside must be onboard with the pool claiming its victims in order to get something in return. This revelation, explored briefly with the film’s scariest sequence led by actress Jodi Long, is a promising twist that’s swiftly skimmed over, leaving the film’s most interesting aspect underdeveloped. Instead of diving deeper into the lore and history of the swimming pool and the natural spring below it – which the film certainly teases plenty to explore! – it feels like everything that’s brought up is simply used to add more “monsters,” but for nothing more. It’s a missed opportunity that could have added depth to the shallow plot.
The horror elements are also a bit lackluster. Surface-level scares and poorly executed makeup and prosthetics contribute to an underwhelming experience. The film opts for startles over scares, with a few jump scares that might elicit gasps, but fail to deliver genuine terror. Overall, “Night Swim” struggles to immerse its audience in a truly chilling atmosphere.
As for the performances, Russell and Condon deliver competent portrayals but don’t elevate the material. Russell brings an entertaining (but common) take to the creepy father role as he descends into madness, while Condon navigates the stereotypical scared mother persona without much to work with. The script doesn’t do the cast any favors, offering clichéd dialogue and serviceable but uninspired character dynamics.
The horror genre has been dominated by killer dolls, puppets, monsters and more, so the overall decision to make a killer swimming pool your villain is an interesting choice with plenty of potential for creativity, but “Night Swim” fails to make the premise worthwhile. The film leaves the intriguing potential of the killer pool largely unexplored, resulting in a lack of innovation for the genre. There’s nothing particularly memorable or fresh brought to the table.
After last year’s teaser, my faith in January films has once again evaporated with “Night Swim” serving as a reminder that even a promising concept can’t save a film that refuses to plunge into the depths of its own potential. Swim at your own risk – you might find yourself yearning for more substantial horror experiences by the time the credits roll.
Star Rating: 1.5 out of 5
“Night Swim” releases in theaters Friday, January 5, 2024.