Night Swim Reviews

Night Swim (2024) directed by Bryce McGuire, dives into the horror genre with the ambition of blending the mundane with the terrifying. However, despite a potentially compelling concept inspired by a 2014 short film, this feature presentation struggles to stay afloat in the vast and deep waters of today's horror genre.The premise holds promise as it introduces the character of Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell), a former baseball player facing the challenges of a serious illness. In an attempt to find solace and bring some normalcy to his life, he relocates to a new home that comes complete with a swimming pool. What begins as a hopeful idea for family enjoyment as well as Ray's therapy takes a sinister turn as the pool becomes a conduit for an evil force rooted in the house's dark and mysterious past. Despite the initial intrigue surrounding this concept, the film's execution falls short, leaving much to be desired in terms of narrative development and thematic exploration.The story, in essence, feels like a mishmash of disparate elements - baseball, swimming, sacrifice, and family values - that never blends into a coherent narrative. The attempt to infuse heartfelt moments into the horror narrative falls flat, rendering emotional beats shallow. The film follows a formulaic story structure, which is already a common pitfall in the horror genre, but Night Swim lacks any creative signature needed to distinguish it from the rest.The potential cleverness of the concept, the pool serving as the antagonist akin to iconic horror elements like a haunted VHS tape in The Ring, is squandered. The film takes itself too seriously, aiming for profound meaning but missing the mark. A more effective approach might have involved embracing comedy, allowing the film to poke fun at its own premise and offer a momentary respite from the tension.In terms of character development, Night Swim leaves much to be desired. The characters, particularly the Waller family, lack depth and fail to convincingly portray familial bonds. The acting, though competent on an individual level, seems to suffer from questionable directorial choices, leading to uncomfortable and less-than-authentic reactions. Perhaps it's worth noting that Night Swim marks the director's debut, and while the film has these shortcomings, it presents an opportunity for McGuire to learn and grow, potentially paving the way for more refined films in the future.Night Swim isn't a complete bellyflop. One of the film's few redeeming qualities lies in its cinematography and lighting. The visual elements actively engage the audience, making the pool a central, intriguing focal point. The clever use of lighting personifies the pool, transforming it from a mundane backyard feature to a source of horror and fear.However, even with commendable visual elements, Night Swim feels like a step backward for the horror genre. Despite an initially promising concept and visually appealing elements, the film falters in its execution, delivering a disjointed narrative and underdeveloped characters. In an era where horror films have evolved beyond cheap jump scares, this movie retreats to outdated stereotypes, lacking the nuance and sophistication that contemporary horror audiences have come to expect.