Poster for Open Water

Open Water

2003, Mystery & thriller, 1h 19m

195 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

A low budget thriller with some intense moments. Read critic reviews

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Open Water Photos

Open Water photo 1

Open Water photo 2

Open Water photo 3

Open Water photo 4

Director Chris Kentis on the set of Open Water. photo 5

Director Chris Kentis on the set of Open Water. photo 6

Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis in Open Water. photo 7

Daniel Travis & Blanchard Ryan in Open Water. photo 8

Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis in Open Water. photo 9

Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis in Open Water. photo 10

Director Chris Kentis and Producer Laura Lau on the set of Open Water. photo 11

Director Chris Kentis on the set of Open Water. photo 12

Director Chris Kentis on the set of Open Water. photo 13

Director Chris Kentis & Producer Laura Lau on the set of Open Water. photo 14

Director Chris Kentis on the set of Open Water. photo 15

Shark-on set of Open Water. photo 16

Producer Laura Lau on the set of Open Water. photo 17

Open Water photo 18

Open Water photo 19

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Movie Info

Daniel (Daniel Travis) and Susan (Blanchard Ryan) embark on a tropical vacation with their scuba-diving certifications in tow. During a group dive, the two separate themselves from the others to dive a little deeper. An incorrect head-count suggests the entire group has returned, so the boat departs. When the pair surfaces, they make out a vessel in the distance, but it does not immediately set in that they have been left behind. With sharks lurking beneath, their survival chances grow smaller.

Rating:

R (Some Nudity|Language)
Genre:

Mystery & thriller
Original Language:

English
Director:

Chris Kentis
Producer:

Laura Lau
Writer:

Chris Kentis
Release Date (Theaters):

Oct 26, 2003 original
Release Date (Streaming):

Dec 28, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA):

$30.5M
Runtime:

1h 19m
Distributor:

Lionsgate Films
Sound Mix:

Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio:

Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Blanchard Ryan
Susan

Daniel Travis
Daniel

Saul Stein
Seth

Estelle Lau
Estelle

Michael E. Williamson

Michael E. Williamson
Davis

Cristina Zenaro

Cristina Zenaro
Linda

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Open Water

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

Critic Reviews for Open Water

All Critics (195) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (139) | Rotten (56)

Full Review… Will Self London Evening Standard

Full Review… Dan Jolin Empire Magazine

Full Review… Jeannette Catsoulis Las Vegas Mercury

Full Review… Peter Howell Toronto Star

Full Review… Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel

Full Review… Liam Lacey Globe and Mail

Full Review… Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault

Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia)

Full Review… Beth Pratt Common Sense Media

Full Review… Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed

Full Review… Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound

Full Review… Stefan Ulstein Christianity Today

View All Critic Reviews (195)

Audience Reviews for Open Water

Oct 15, 2020

Based on a real story, a diver's worst nightmare.

Mark B Super Reviewer
Sep 11, 2019

If you like Extreme EXTREME Close Ups filmed on an iPod Shuffle, then oo boy do I have the film for you.

Super Reviewer
Jul 22, 2017

Open water made a big splash (Ha ha) on the film circuit in 2004, and it's other simplicity allows it to retain it's progressively deepening feelings of dread and terror. The setting couldn't be more sparse - aryoung couple take a scuba diving vacation, only to find that their boat and all of its other passengers have disappeared when they resurface. They are uncertain that they're in the right spot, and to make matters worse, Night is approaching and a study current is pushing them out to sea where sharks are lurking beneath the waves ...... This is not a found footage film (thankfully) but the Internet close-ups and having the camera frequently bobbing in the water creates the same effect of putting you right there in their flippers, heightening the growing sense of dread. The two principal actors do an admirable job under very difficult conditions, even getting to drop a few lines of droll gallows humor. This is a horror film that attacks the psyche over the eyeballs.

Doctor S Super Reviewer
Jun 10, 2017

Surprisingly freaky for such a simple concept. Well executed!

Ed K Super Reviewer

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