“Night Swim” (2024)

Horror

Running Time: 83 minutes

Written and directed by: Bryce McGuire

Featuring: Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon

Pool Tech: “It’s funny, isn’t it, though. I mean, we evolved out of the water, and some part of our reptilian brain knows we’re not supposed to be there anymore. But… I guess that’s why we try to tame it so hard. It’s like trying to conquer death…”

Night Swim, the new haunted pool thriller from director Andrew McGuire, plunges us into a simmering pot of family drama, psychological unease, and the primal fear of water’s depths. It’s a film that promises goose bumps and existential chills, but like the murky shadows dancing on the bottom of its titular pool, it delivers a mixed bag of thrills and frustrations.

The story follows the Turner family as they relocate to a sprawling Arizona vacation home, eager for a fresh start after a tragedy. But their idyllic poolside dreams are quickly shattered by ominous occurrences. Flickering lights dance on the water’s surface, distorted figures seem to lurk beneath, and a chilling undercurrent of danger lurks just out of sight.

McGuire crafts a masterful atmosphere of unease. The camera lingers on the pool’s rippling surface, creating a sense of claustrophobic anticipation. Distorted sounds muffle conversations, and shadows play tricks on the characters and audience alike. This careful attention to detail builds a world where every splash and ripple feels portentous.

The cast delivers solid performances. Mckenna Grace is captivating as the troubled teen, Lily, whose connection to the pool seems deeper and more disturbing than anyone else’s. Rob Lowe and Kerry Russell are believable as the concerned parents, struggling to hold their family together amid the escalating strangeness. And Tony Revolori steals the show with his quirky, scene-stealing performance as the eccentric pool boy, offering bursts of humour amidst the mounting tension.

However, Night Swim suffers from some significant pacing issues. The first act takes its time establishing the characters and setting, but then rushes through some key plot points in the second half. This leaves some character motivations feeling undercooked and the resolution slightly rushed. Additionally, while the film expertly builds suspense, it doesn’t quite deliver on the payoff. The reveal of the pool’s secrets, while intriguing, lacks the punch it needs to truly satisfy.

Diving into the symbolism of “Night Swim” unlocks hidden layers of meaning that enrich the film’s psychological depths. Let’s explore some key symbols and their potential interpretations:

Water: The most potent symbol, naturally. Water can represent rebirth, cleansing, and new beginnings. Yet, here it also embodies hidden danger, unmasking past traumas, and the suffocating weight of secrets. The pool transforms from a place of leisure to a portal to the subconscious, reflecting the characters’ inner turmoil.

Broken Glass: Shards appear throughout the film, symbolizing shattered lives, fractured relationships, and the sharp edges of grief. The broken pool tiles mirror the family’s brokenness, while Lily’s fear of walking on glass could represent her fragility and need for emotional healing.

Light and Shadow: The flickering pool lights and distorted shadows create a sense of disorientation and uncertainty. Light struggles to penetrate the murky depths, suggesting hidden truths and the opaqueness of human emotions. This play of light and shadow also reflects the characters’ internal battles between truth and denial.

The Diving Board: A symbol of vulnerability and bravery. Stepping onto it requires facing one’s fears, venturing into the unknown. Lily’s hesitation and eventual plunge signify her journey of confronting her trauma and emerging stronger.

Colours: The film’s muted palette, dominated by blues and greens, reinforces the coldness and isolation of the family’s emotional state. Occasional flashes of red, like Lily’s hair and the flickering lights, could represent anger, danger, or the pulse of hidden memories.

The Labyrinth of Memory: The film often feels like a descent into a labyrinthine memory palace. The recurring shots of Lily exploring the abandoned house, the fragmented flashbacks, and the distorted reflections in the pool water all contribute to this sense of navigating a tangled past. Could this labyrinthine structure represent the characters’ struggle to piece together their family’s fractured history and confront their own buried memories?

The Haunting Presence of Absence: The film subtly portrays the family’s trauma through the conspicuous absence of the deceased daughter, Sarah. Her name is rarely mentioned, her belongings remain untouched, and her death lingers as a specter in every conversation. This constant reminder of what’s lost adds another layer of complexity to the symbol of the pool, which could be seen as a physical manifestation of their grief and unprocessed emotion.

The Duality of Water: As you mentioned, water holds a complex duality in the film. While it embodies danger and hidden secrets, it also possesses the potential for cleansing and rebirth. Lily’s transformative experience at the bottom of the pool, where she confronts her fear and connects with Sarah’s memory, could represent this redemptive potential. Could the film be suggesting that facing the depths of our pain is necessary for true healing and emergence?

The Language of Silence: Beyond visual symbols, “Night Swim” utilizes silence as a powerful tool for storytelling. The unspoken words, the hesitant conversations, and the pregnant pauses between characters reveal deep-seated emotions and unspoken truths. By paying attention to the silences, we can gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ internal landscapes and the unspoken dynamics within the family.

Ultimately, Night Swim is a film with undeniable atmosphere and strong performances, but one that falters in its execution. It tantalizes with the promise of psychological chills and supernatural mysteries, but leaves you feeling like you’ve only dipped your toes into the darkest depths of its potential.

Night Swim is a worthy watch for fans of atmospheric thrillers and slow-burning mysteries. However, those seeking a truly terrifying experience or a fully satisfying resolution may be left wanting more. It’s a film that leaves you intrigued, but questioning whether it could have taken a deeper dive.