A One Mann’s Movies review of “Something in the Water” (2024).
There’s “Something in the Water”. No, it’s not the Liberal Democrat’s Election Manifesto, LOL, but a new shark-attack movie set in the Dominican Republic.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
After lesbian couple Meg (Hiftu Quasem) and Kayla (Natalie Mitson) split following a traumatic homophobic incident, their three friends are intent on mending the rift during the wedding of Lizzie (Lauren Lyle) at a paradise resort. But a pre-wedding boat excursion turns to disaster and the wedding breakfast is likely to be the five girls!
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong bloody images, threat, language, infrequent sex references”.)
Talent:
Starring: Hiftu Quasem, Natalie Mitson, Lauren Lyle, Nicole Rieko Setsuko, Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart.
Directed by: Hayley Easton Street.
Written by: Cat Clarke.
Twitter Handle: #SomethingInTheWater.
Running Time: 1h 26m.
“Something in the Water” Summary:
Positives:
- Good, gutsy (no pun intended) performances from the young cast, especially Hiftu Quasem and Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart.
- The locations look fantastic.
Negatives:
- The story borrows heavily from other “girls in peril” films.
- The CGI sharks never once felt real.
Review of “Something in the Water”:
A film that borrows from multiple others.
Girl power is on show here, which is a good thing: an almost entirely female cast, a female director and a female writer. Of these, for me, the writing is the weakest element, since we borrow from a number of similar “Girls in Peril” films like the splendid “Fall“, “47 Meters Down” and (particularly) “The Shallows“. In fact, one scene, featuring a rock and a rising tide, is lifted straight from that latter film.
The script is a bit crass. Some of the dialogue seems designed to appeal to an ‘up-for-tittilation’ teenage audience, referencing both anal and oral sex.
CGI sharks fail to thrill
The film is obviously relatively low-budget, despite its exotic location, and they do pretty well with their money. A visit to the fake blood shop results in one of the deaths being particularly memorable. But I’m afraid one of the elements that didn’t convince for me were the shark effects, particularly in the finale. The on-surface fins were spooky and made me tense. But, as in Spielberg’s masterpiece “Jaws”, the sharks might have been better left largely unseen throughout.
An energetic cast
Those flaws aside, there’s no denying that the young cast give it their all. Hiftu Quasem, who has mostly done TV work – this is only her second feature – makes a strong impression as the traumatised Meg who has to face her fears and then some. Also very good is Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart as the luckless Ruth, and hats off to some excellent work from the make-up/special effects teams! Lauren Lyle should also be praised for creating one of the most hyper-annoying girls in cinema history: if the shark wasn’t going to get her, I was prepared to swim out there and hold her head under the water!
Sponsored by the Dominican Republic tourist board
One of the stars of the show is the Dominican Republic. The wedding is set at a drop-dead gorgeous beach resort that just makes you want to stay there. (I actually missed the exact hotel as it scrolled up in the end titles!)
A decent score
A final mention to the score, composed by Nainita Desai and Harry Peat, which sets a good tense tone.
Summary Thoughts on “Something in the Water”
It’s OK. It doesn’t have the armchair gripping tension of “Fall“. Neither does it have the style of Blake Lively (or her orange bikini!) in “The Shallows“. But it is a watchable little shark movie that keeps you guessing about who will and who won’t make it through.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “There’s Something in the Water”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvlXkX0xYP8.
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