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Open Water

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Open Water (2004)

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Reviews Counted:37

Fresh:29

Rotten:8

Average Rating:7/10

Consensus: A low budget thriller with some intense moments.

Runtime: 81 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Theatrical Release:Aug 6, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $30,500,882

Synopsis: Proving that the power of imagination is much more terrifying than what meets the eye, OPEN WATER is Chris Kentis's intensely realistic deep-sea drama, "based on true events." The film's leering... Proving that the power of imagination is much more terrifying than what meets the eye, OPEN WATER is Chris Kentis's intensely realistic deep-sea drama, "based on true events." The film's leering digital video camera allows viewers to float like shark-bait, stranded in the middle of the ocean with Susan and Daniel (Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis), a bickering married couple who have just been abandoned by their scuba-diving boat in the Caribbean. As the tension escalates between the troubled twosome--who are cold, tired, dehydrated, and more than a little scared--the tragedy of the situation is exacerbated by a series of very unfortunate conditions. While a current sweeps them far from where the boat left them, and deep dark clouds pass menacingly overhead, the sea-life just below the surface is clearly not of the friendly variety. Yes, those are real sharks, folks. Meanwhile, Daniel, who watched Shark Week on television, is no stranger to the perils at hand, and finds himself battling shock. Minutes pass like hours, with the light shifting on the water and the constant motion of the waves adding to this unfathomable nightmare. The shimmering blues of wide expanses of sea are offset by dazzling underwater photography, yet the mood remains bleak. And while no special effects, abrupt developments, or abrasive gore are present here, the film instills such fear that viewers will be frozen awaiting the surprising conclusion. A day at the beach will never be quite the same again. [More]

Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Estelle Lau

Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Estelle Lau, Michael E. Willimson, Christina Zenarro, Jon Charles

Director: Chris Kentis

Director: Chris Kentis
Producer: Laura Lau
Studio: Lions Gate Films

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Nov 30, 1999

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Reviews for Open Water

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Ronnie Scheib
Ronnie Scheib
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There are no Hollywood heroes in these waters, only two regular people ... plus you and me, huddling in the dark.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
08/20/04
Peter Howell
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Considered in its ham-handed entirety, Open Water feels more of an exercise in cinematic sadism.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
08/20/04
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
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Terrifying precisely because it doesn't go in for cheesy shock tactics and special effects.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
08/15/04
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine
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The unforgiving power of nature are all on display to amazing, and frightening, effect.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
08/13/04
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
CNN.com
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Becomes a slow and steady descent into pure fear.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
08/11/04
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
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We, the audience, shuffle out of the theater, feeling drained and punished.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
08/07/04
Stephanie Zacharek
Stephanie Zacharek
Salon.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As the clock ticks on, the sharks thresh and the dialogue continues to stagnate, you might just catch yourself wickedly thinking: Come on sharks, let's do this.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
08/06/04
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
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A taut, riveting, uncommonly well-made film.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
08/06/04
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
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The nagging desire to help these people underscores the involvement of the audience in this superbly told story. You can almost taste the saltwater, and the fear.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
08/06/04
Carla Meyer
Carla Meyer
San Francisco Chronicle
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It should make you think hard about assuming only a big, effects-driven adventure can really give you your money's worth.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
08/06/04
Stephen Whitty
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger
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Kentis keeps it simple and direct, and the effect is devastating.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
08/06/04
Jami Bernard
Jami Bernard
New York Daily News
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A low-budget indie film whose tension and realism are augmented by unknown actors who fully inhabit their roles.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
08/06/04
Bruce Westbrook
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle
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If you want to be consumed by special effects, go to any of the many formulaic thrillers in theaters these days. If you want to feel the real chill of fear, go for a swim.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
08/06/04
Tom Long
Tom Long
Detroit News
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It's ridiculously cheap and terrifying at the same time.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
08/06/04
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
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The real achievement here belongs to a director who understands that economy (in storytelling as well as in budget) can work in his favor.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
08/06/04
Robert Denerstein
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Although the movie was produced with few frills, Kentis keeps you watching. He adds to the tension gradually, and by the end, you're gripping the arms of your seat, wondering whether this pair will be rescued before, um, lunchtime.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
08/06/04
Bill Muller
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I'm here to tell you that Jaws is nothing. Jaws is now merely Flipper: Episode 127.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
08/06/04
Michael Booth
Michael Booth
Denver Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

What differentiates Open Water from similar stories recounted endlessly on cable television's Shark Weeks is its scrupulous avoidance of anything remotely contrived.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
08/06/04
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Wrings every possible drop of tension out of a simple premise and a micro budget.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
08/06/04
Megan Lehmann
Megan Lehmann
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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