“Night Swim” is a suburban horror movie that leaves the audience feeling a bit disappointed but without any hard feelings towards the filmmaker.
Watching it in the theater was a way to take a break from life’s worries, like debt and unpaid bills. It entertained me for 98 minutes with a genre I love—horror that doesn’t necessarily rely on a strong plot or writing but instead on decent pacing and stunning camerawork.
First, let’s introduce the movie. “Night Swim” is a 2024 horror film. It was written and directed by Bryce McGuire and produced by the well-known James Wan and Jason Blum.
The story revolves around Ray (played by Wyatt Russell), a baseball player, his wife Eve (played by Kerry Condon), and their two children. After Ray is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), they move into a new house with a big swimming pool. Initially, the pool seems like a wonderful addition, but they soon discover it has a dark history.
The pool, which comes from an underground spring, has been the site of sinister events. They learn that for the spring to keep functioning, human sacrifices are required—definitely not the kind of pool any family would want.
“Night Swim” explores the fear of the familiar. A swimming pool in the backyard seems harmless, but what dangers could it hide? Fear of drowning is real, even for great swimmers. Water can evoke various fears, from hurricanes and floods to being trapped in a submerged building.
Despite many buildup scenes leading nowhere and some laughable CGI creatures, the movie creates a haunting atmosphere around a house with a swimming pool—a dream for many middle-class families. There’s something both eerie and poetic about “Night Swim.” It taps into the fears associated with normal, everyday life.
However, the film’s biggest flaw lies in its missed opportunities. The director, Bryce McGuire, could have taken the story in a different direction by focusing more on Ray’s struggle with his illness. Ray, with his disabling neurological disease and a fading career, had a deep connection to the pool. He was the most interesting character, and the story could have been more compelling if it had centered around him.
Instead, the narrative shifts to his wife, Eve, who wasn’t given enough depth to make her interesting. The script didn’t take enough time developing her character, and this shift made the movie fall short of its potential. The story could have been about Ray coming to terms with his disease diagnosis, the loss of his career, and the haunting connection to the pool. If the writers wanted the audience to care about Eve, they should have given her a more substantial role in the horror elements of the story.
So, what’s the takeaway from “Night Swim”? It’s not the graphics, characters, or plot, but rather the fact that suburban horror is a fascinating genre worth exploring further. “Night Swim” is a decent PG-13 suburban horror film about the fear of and the secrets that large bodies of water can hold.
Grade: C+
Chandler is an avid automobile enthusiast who is passionate about all things on wheels. From the latest car models to classic vintage rides, I love exploring the automotive world’s intricate details and engineering marvels. With years of experience in test-driving, reviewing, and analyzing cars, I provide readers with comprehensive insights and honest opinions.