August 17th 2024.
Get ready to dive into a thrilling new film that has just hit streaming services in the UK! And it's not just any film, it has even received the stamp of approval from the 'master of horror' himself, Stephen King.
Directed by Bryce McGuire, Night Swim follows the story of Ray Waller, a former baseball player who is forced into retirement due to a degenerative illness. Ray moves into a new house with his wife Eve and their children Izzy and Elliot. He hopes that the swimming pool in the backyard will provide a perfect space for his physical therapy and also be a fun spot for the kids. Little does he know, a dark secret from the home's past will unleash a malevolent force in the pool.
Yes, you read that right, this film is about a haunted swimming pool! And it's now available to watch at home through a Now TV cinema and Sky Go subscription or for purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video.
Stephen King, the famed horror author known for works such as The Shining, It, and Carrie, had high praise for Night Swim. He described it as 'creepy' and compared it to a lost, low-budget Steven Spielberg film from his early days. However, he did mistakenly get the title wrong when he first shared his thoughts on X.
The film centers around a family who moves into a new home, unaware of the deadly secret that lurks within. While King may have loved it, not all viewers shared the same sentiment. After watching it on streaming platforms, many have taken to social media to share their mixed reactions. Some loved the concept, while others criticized how rushed it felt at certain points.
For example, Pete Tonkin compared it to an average episode of Antiques Road Trip, saying there were more scares in the latter. Meanwhile, Mike Franchina commented that Night Swim was enjoyable, with a great Stephen King-like setup, but it fell apart with some of the reveals. He also expressed surprise that they didn't use the song 'DyE-Fantasy' in the soundtrack, which he believes would have made it one of the top night swimming videos.
On the other hand, Sean Kenny didn't hold back, stating that he believed he could have made a more suspenseful film with just a cell phone. 5ulissa also shared her thoughts, saying that while the plot was interesting, it felt rushed and lacked backstory.
But not all reviews were negative. Orchid Chamblee praised the jump scares and felt that the film was getting back to the roots of horror, focusing on fear in our subconscious minds. However, Night Swim currently holds a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, with some saying the plot doesn't make sense.
MovieFreak.com even commented that it seemed like McGuire was making up the story as he went along, and the film lacked a lasting emotional impact. On the other hand, Bloody Disgusting felt that the lead actress, Condon, gave a fierce and heartfelt performance, and the underwater sequences were well done. However, they felt that the concept of the film wore out its welcome quickly for seasoned horror fans.
But don't let the mixed reviews stop you from giving Night Swim a chance. Empire gave it a positive review, saying that despite some letdowns in the last act, it's a confident and creepy horror film that showcases McGuire's talent as a filmmaker. They even joked that those who are easily scared should bring armbands for support.
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