As we dive into the new year, 20th Century Fox deliver their first big screen film, Underwater, but this also becomes the last film released under the label, as Disney purchased the rights, and renamed the film company to 20th Century Studios.
With Underwater, the title doesn’t leave much to the imagination, as the film starts off well… underwater. We see an exhausted Kristen Stewart with a shaved head, as she brushes her teeth in a facility bathroom on her own. While the surroundings remain silence, with a few vibrations and the occasional flickering of the lights, it isn’t not long into the film where Norah (Kristen Stewart) is sent into a panic rush, as high-pressured water bursts through the walls. Leaving everything behind, Norah bolts down the halls, banging on doors to alarm crew of the danger. With no time to slow down, Norah bumps into crew member Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie) and the two find themselves shutting themselves off from the possibility of drowning.
As the two surviving members recollect their focus and thoughts, survival instincts kick in and the two squeeze their way through tight gaps to gather with fellow survivors along with the Captain (Vincent Cassel). The small group of survivors form together, and head towards a control room as they try their luck at contacting above water for help but receive an unsuccessful response. With oxygen running low, the Captain takes authority in attempt to rescue his crew, but to get to the crew to safety, they must dive lower where they discover that they’re not alone out in the deep blue sea.
Where Underwater lacks is in backstory to where and why these people are deep down underwater. The film makes up for it with some suspenseful scenes and impressive looking graphics. However, I felt it was hard to build any connection to the characters, as we don’t really learn much about them to grow any attachment to.
I know I’m going to sound like a broken record here, as this has been quoted so many times prior, but Kristen Stewart struggles so hard to show more than one expression. The tone in her voice remained the same whether she was scared, angry, or happy, it was all the same. Her whole performance wasn’t bad, however with Stewart being the lead role in this film, she needed to deliver more as I struggled to feel the emotions she was going through.
Ultimately T.J. Miller who plays the character Paul, becomes the glue to the film with his hilarious sense of humour, his love for his rabbit plushie and strong presence on-screen.
Overall, despite my criticism, I really enjoyed this film and highly recommend Underwater to fans of horror and sci-fi.
Underwater is now playing in cinemas across Australia.