Unveiling the Haunting Legacy of a Cult Classic Horror Movie: Unprecedented Insights by a Leading Cruise Ship Expert

Summary

Williams states that cruise ships in real-life situations have several backup communication systems and a smaller crew on the bridge to handle emergencies.

Despite its initial lackluster reception, Deep Rising has garnered a burgeoning fanbase over the years, thanks to its memorable monster design and overall tone which viewers appreciate.

Cruise ship expert Wendy Williams recently criticized the 25-year-old cult classic horror movie Deep Rising, directed by Stephen Sommers. The film follows a group of mercenaries who encounter a terrifying sea creature while aboard the Argonautica, a luxury ocean liner. Captain John Finnegan, played by Treat Williams, leads the cast, which also includes Famke Janssen, Anthony Heald, Kevin J. O'Connor, Jason Flemyng, and Djimon Hounsou. Deep Rising has gained a dedicated fan base over the years, with the monstrous antagonist, Octalus, being a standout element.

In a recent video for Insider, Williams analyzed an early scene from Deep Rising and discussed the accuracy of the ship's portrayal. She revealed that a real cruise ship would not experience the same chaotic disarray depicted in the film. Williams also stated that sonar is not typically required, and ships generally maintain a significant distance to prevent collisions. She rated the accuracy of the sequence as 0 out of 10. Here are Williams' comments on Deep Rising:

Radios, there are numerous backup options available. In the event that the radios fail, there are satellite phones and various other forms of satellite communication. Scrambling a ship like that would not be feasible. The bridge is typically occupied by a significant number of individuals, though their specific roles may vary depending on the cruise company. Generally, there are three conditions referred to as green, yellow, and red. Green indicates smooth sailing and would typically involve a navigation officer, an assistant or co-navigator, and one or two lookouts. In a full red condition, such as our bridges, the composition would consist of the captain, staff captain, chief mate or communicator, and two lookouts. That's a total of five individuals managing the situation on the bridge. This particular cruise ship is equipped with sonar, which seems unnecessary in this context. However, everything else on the ship is scrambled except for the sonar, which is detecting some sort of sea monster in this movie clip. While it is unfortunate to categorize whales or large mammals as sea monsters, accidents involving whale strikes do occur. Cruise ships make a conscious effort to maintain a safe distance and avoid whales at all costs. Considering the believability of the bridge scene, it is probably close to zero.

How Does Deep Rising Hold Up After 25 Years?

In a scene from Deep Rising, an unidentified intruder deliberately disrupted the ship's navigation system, causing a wave of panic. Williams pointed out the flawed manipulation, assuring that there were backup systems in place and a reduced number of personnel in charge. As communication and imaging capabilities faltered, a crew member disclosed the presence of a massive entity lurking beneath them. Upon contact, this encounter led to the gruesome demise of everyone aboard. This significant sequence offers audiences a glimpse into the horrors unleashed by Octalus, without explicitly unveiling its true form.

Upon its initial release in 1998, Deep Rising had a disappointing box office performance and garnered mostly negative reviews from critics. However, the fanbase has grown significantly since then, with many viewers praising the casting of Williams, who unfortunately passed away in June. While the special effects may not have aged well compared to other films, the monster's design and the overall tone of the movie are likely two of the main reasons why audiences still find Deep Rising enjoyable.

It is intriguing to hear insights from an actual cruise ship captain regarding the movie's lack of realism in certain elements, though considering the concept, audiences may not be particularly surprised. Deep Rising is often considered underrated in the genre of water-based horror films, but with its cult classic status, more viewers may be inclined to give it a chance, especially as we approach the Halloween season.

Source: Insider