The spooky pool movie. A novel concept, truly, but one that gets dumber and dumber as the plot progresses. The most egregious aspect being Wyatt Russell’s character. Starring as a former major league ball player diagnosed with a debilitating diseases, his friendly dad disposition quickly turns into a vindictive possessed creature and sacrificial lamb.
He’s established as a good dad that cares, but his ambition overshadows his parenting. It’s a nonsensical approach to the antagonist and its executed terribly. Certain visual effects shots work well in the pool, but majority are overdone pool shots taken from countless other films. The evil pool creature also looks vaguely like Danny Devito’s Penguin in Batman Returns (1985). Conversely, I was happy to see Kerry Condon in a role post Banshees of Inisherin (my top pick of 2022), but holy wow, is she wasted in this type of role. Let’s put clamps on her and force her into one expression.
On James Wan’s producing history
The direction is wonky from McGuire and the concept is so shallow. Moreover, starting to hate pretty much everything James Wan produces or directs. His taste in horror is what’s wrong with modern horror today. Artistic integrity goes out the window when you try and sell me this concept based product. Easy marketing sell but a hollow shell. Scares were predictable and lacked continuity.
Review: ☆ (30)
Verdict: genre weird
Weird Cinema 