Night swim
The story centers around the Waller family, who have recently moved into a new home with a beautiful backyard pool. However, not everything is as it seems. As the family begins to use the pool, mysterious and increasingly frightening events begin to occur—especially during night swims. The pool appears to have a malevolent consciousness of its own, luring victims under the surface.
Night Swim is a 2024 thriller/horror film directed by Bryce McGuire, based on a 2014 short film of the same name. The movie explores a concept that is both simple and unsettling: a haunted swimming pool. What initially seems like a peaceful summer pastime hides a supernatural horror that emerges after dark.
Strengths
Atmosphere: The nighttime water setting is used effectively to build tension and suspense. The direction focuses heavily on unease and quiet dread.
Visual and sound effects: Impressive, particularly in underwater scenes that evoke a sense of claustrophobia and helplessness.
Psychological metaphor: Some viewers interpret the pool as a metaphor for trauma, loss, or guilt resurfacing—giving the film a deeper psychological dimension.
Weaknesses
Story development: Despite the intriguing premise, the plot follows some familiar horror tropes, making it predictable at times.
Characters: While the acting is solid, the characters are not especially memorable or deeply developed.
Pacing: Some may find the middle part slow, as tension builds without significant plot advancement.
Final Verdict
Night Swim is a horror film that makes the most of a visually compelling and original concept, even if it falls into a few genre clichés. It doesn't revolutionize horror cinema, but it still offers a chilling and well-crafted experience—perfect for a night of aquatic terror.