Night Swim: A Dive into the Haunting World of Horror

The Premise of Night Swim

Night Swim, a new horror movie written and directed by Bryce McGuire, is making waves with its release just one day ahead of its official premiere. The film stars Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Am\u00e9lie Hoeferle, and Gavin Warren as the Wallers, a family that moves into a new home with a haunted pool. Based on McGuire's 2014 short film of the same name, the movie is set to captivate audiences with its eerie and chilling storyline. Adding to the anticipation, the film features producers James Wan and Jason Blum, known for their work on the viral horror hit M3GAN.

Eve Waller falls into the pool to rescue Elliot in Night Swim

What the Critics Are Saying

Reviews for Night Swim have surfaced just one day before its much-anticipated premiere, offering a glimpse into the critics' thoughts on the spine-tingling film. The reception has been mixed, with many critics expressing a negative sentiment towards the movie. Deadline's Pete Hammond remarks that 'four minutes was the right length for the idea' and notes 'a good deal of unintentional laughter' at the press screening. Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck describes the movie as 'just as silly as it sounds.'

The Night Swim trailer failed to generate the same viral buzz as its predecessor, M3GAN, leading critics to draw comparisons that lean unfavorably towards Night Swim. Variety's Owen Gleiberman quips that the movie 'restores a certain order to the cinematic universe by being as tepid and unscary as a proper early-in-January movie should be.' This sentiment is echoed by Benjamin Lee of The Guardian, who labels it 'an immediate return to the ho-hum norm of before.'

While the movie itself has faced criticism, the Night Swim cast has garnered praise from some quarters. Russell, in particular, has been lauded for his portrayal, with Bill Bria of Slash Film describing him as 'a magnetic actor' and IndieWire's Alison Foreman acknowledging his performance. Condon's acting has also been recognized positively by Ben Travis of Empire, who commends her for bringing 'considerable empathy' to the film. However, Foreman offers a dissenting view, stating that Russell and Condon 'have all the chemistry of a wet mop.'

The Verdict on Scariness

Opinions on Night Swim's scariness have been a point of contention among critics, with varied assessments contributing to the discourse. AV Club's Matthew Jackson praises director McGuire for his ability to transform a family swimming pool into 'a genuinely terrifying prospect,' signaling a positive perspective on the movie's fright factor. However, Screen Rant's Mae Abdulbaki takes a different stance, asserting that the film 'barely registered' with its jump scares, a sentiment shared by multiple critics.

In addition to Russell and Condon, the Night Swim cast includes Nancy Lenehan, Jodi Long, Rahnuma Panthaky, Eddie Martinez, and Elijah J. Roberts, each contributing to the eerie atmosphere of the movie.