Night Swim (2024) Review

It feels like ages ago now that we first shared detail info about Night Swim. Since then we have been counting the weeks to see what dark delights lucked beneath the immediately engaging trailer.

From the start, Bryce McGuire’s Night Swim promised to take viewers on a soggy journey into the depths of suburban horror. This supernatural thriller, which marks McGuire’s feature directorial debut, is based on the 2014 short film of the same name, co-conceived by McGuire and Rod Blackhurst. While it may not be a Stephen King creation, in some ways, Night Swim embodies the essence of King’s storytelling, blending ordinary middle-class Americans with the supernatural.

The film introduces the Waller family, led by Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell), a former baseball star battling multiple sclerosis. Seeking solace in a new home, the Wallers unknowingly acquire a property with a history of sinister happenings related to their backyard swimming pool. As Ray begins water therapy, his health inexplicably improves, but the pool’s eerie influence soon becomes apparent. McGuire expertly builds suspense, drawing viewers into a web of tension, leaving them on the edge of their seats.

The movie thrives on its suspenseful sequences. Ordinary activities like watermelon slicing or a teenage game of Marco Polo turn into nerve-wracking ordeals. McGuire’s tight pacing and effective use of suspenseful elements contribute to the film’s intensity. Wyatt Russell’s portrayal of Ray is compelling, and Kerry Condon delivers a convincing performance as Eve, Ray’s wife. Amélie Hoeferle shines as their daughter, Izzy, adding a layer of authenticity to the family dynamics.

Night Swim isn’t all sunshine and swimming trunks though... While it successfully taps into familiar horror tropes from classics like Poltergeist and Jaws, these borrowed elements, at times, seem overly emphasised. The film walks a fine line between homage and overplotting, occasionally causing the narrative to feel slightly cluttered. This overindulgence in certain plot points, while contributing to the suspense, could have benefited from a more streamlined approach. More seasoned horror lovers might feel that too much of the film relies on ‘tried and tested’ devices that have been (in some cases) over-used elsewhere.

The movie’s climax, while undeniably intense, suffers from a sense of hastiness. It concludes certain storylines abruptly, leaving viewers with unanswered questions that might have added depth to the overall narrative. Additionally, some characters, though competently portrayed, could have been more intricately developed. A deeper exploration of their backgrounds and motivations would have allowed the audience to better connect with their fates, enhancing the emotional investment in the story.

Despite these narrative missteps, Night Swim will still manage to captivate most audiences with its suspenseful storytelling and eerie atmosphere. While the film occasionally stumbles over its own ambitions, it remains a testament to Bryce McGuire’s talent for building tension and fear around an everyday setting, in this case, a backyard swimming pool.

What makes Night Swim even more intriguing is its position as the first film to be released following the merger of two prominent production companies in the horror genre: Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster. This collaboration between Jason Blum and James Wan signifies a new era in horror filmmaking, bringing together two visionary minds responsible for some of the most iconic horror films of recent years.

The union of these two powerhouses promises a wealth of creative possibilities for the horror genre. Night Swim is an early example of what this collaboration can achieve, blending elements of supernatural terror with the suspenseful storytelling that both companies are renowned for.

While not a flawless dive into the horror genre, Night Swim still leaves a lasting impression, promising potential for McGuire’s future endeavors in the world of supernatural thrillers.
It’s an exciting time for fans of horror, as the Blumhouse and Atomic Monster collaboration promises to keep us on the edge of our seats, waiting for the next dark tale to unfold.

Movie Rating:

Night Swim trailer