Not being one to go swimming (I really can’t swim, even though I was in the Navy), I’m always up for a movie that will make me question if it’s safe to back in the water. Well, "Night Swim" didn’t have me questioning it, but it did make me say that I’d never go in a pool alone.
The story circles around a medically retired baseball player played by the phenomenal Wyatt Russel as Ray Waller. Going through depression is something that we all deal with regularly, and because of his injury, Ray deals with it more than others as he longs for playing baseball again. The film has a bit of mysticism to it when you are wondering exactly what is happening in the pool. The real key is if this is real or just in the Waller family’s imagination.
Throughout the movie, you are given subtle hints as to something happening and making changes in everyone involved. But there are signs that show that there are really threats out there that the family is unaware of. As it goes on, you are wondering what is bound to happen next and who will be affected. The jump scares are few, but the movie is more intended to have you vested in the story itself. It’s not the scare, but the moments leading up to them that carries the weight of the film.
Overall, I’d give this movie 3 out of 5 stars. It’s not horrible, but it’s not the greatest movie I’ve ever seen. With the way that horror movies are getting more and more gory, it’s harder for us to get the scares that we used to from older movies.
"Night Swim" is now playing in theater and is available to rent or buy on various streaming services such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Rated PG-13.
Stars: Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amelie Hoeferle & Gavin Warren.