Some horror films, even without reinventing the wheel, at least manage to unsettle. Night Swim tries to play in that league but falls short. The premise is promising: a suburban pool with dark secrets. The problem is that beyond that initial idea, the script doesn’t know how to sustain the tension and ends up relying on predictable twists and scares that never truly land.
Visually, there are a few strong moments: the underwater sequences convey unease and manage to trap the viewer in that sense of invisible danger. However, the editing leans too heavily on familiar tricks of the genre, and most jump scares are far too easy to anticipate, which robs them of impact.
The cast does what it can, especially Kerry Condon, who brings credibility to a script that doesn’t give her much to work with. Wyatt Russell is solid as well, but the real issue isn’t the performances — it’s the lack of a more consistent and daring development.
The second half feels deflated, as if the film drowns in its own clichés. There was room to take risks, but instead the film chooses a safe and predictable path.
In the end, Night Swim entertains here and there but doesn’t stand out in a genre that increasingly demands more creativity. It’s the kind of movie you can watch without effort, but just as easily forget. A missed opportunity that feels more like shallow splashing than genuine horror.
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