Let's envision a situation: If you were granted one wish in exchange for a favor, would you still make the request? Mind you, this favor is a fatal one. And this, reader, is precisely what the story in hand deals with.
When contemplating possessions by demonic entities, a swimming pool is likely the last thing to cross anyone's mind. To challenge this misconception, writer and director Bryce McGuire presents "Night Swim," a film based on his and Rod Blackhurst's 2014 short film of the same name.
The narrative kicks off in 1992, with a young Rebecca Summers attempting to retrieve her terminally ill brother Tommy's toy boat from the pool. During her struggle, she is inexplicably pulled underwater. Despite glimpsing her mother beneath the surface, Rebecca resurfaces only to find nothing, being pulled back under. Rebecca drowns without a trace, leaving a mysterious aura in the pool.
Fast-forward to the present day, where the Waller family—Ray, Eve, and their children Izzy and Elliot—are in search of a new home. Ray, a former baseball star battling multiple sclerosis, is advised by his doctor to engage in swimming for his health. They purchase a house with a backyard pool, unaware of its dark history. The pool is a self-sustaining pool, meaning it takes its water from an underground spring in the area. What follows are bizarre and eerie events: Ray's unexpected recovery, the disappearance of the family cat, and attacks on the children in the pool from the water beneath.
A conversation with their realtor Kay reveals that the Summers family’s daughter (Rebecca) drowned in this pool. Concerned after learning about the long list of disappearances in the house before their occupancy, Eve decides to visit a now-wealthy Summers family to inquire more about the pool. Mrs. Summers discloses the pool's sinister reality. With this chilling narrative of the pool, Eve also learns about Rebecca's fate and a dark truth about Mrs Summers. She now realizes that her family is the next prey to this haunted pool. Will they endure the presence of the ominous entity or become victims to the supernatural forces lurking beneath?
While "Night Swim" initially keeps viewers on edge and definitely gives some solid jump scares, after a while the plot loses its grip, feeling unnecessarily prolonged. The background setup and the sound score do manage to create an unearthly atmosphere. Sure the concept is new and peculiar, however, the pool's backstory seems to be borrowed from a children's fairy tale. In a cinematic landscape where films like "The Conjuring", "Annabel" and "The Nun" evoke breathless anticipation, "Night Swim" falls short. The plot definitely had a lot to offer the viewers but unfortunately doesn't deliver the same.
Despite this, Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon deliver compelling performances as the Waller couple, navigate life's challenges. Amelie Hoeferle and Gavin Warren also shine in their roles as Izzy and Elliot. Overall. If you are seeking a moderately chilling experience without lingering haunting, "Night Swim" may be a suitable choice for your weekend movie night.
Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times