By Seth Lukas Hynes
Underwater
Starring Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel and T.J. Miller
Rated M
Underwater is an outstandingly well-directed sci-fi horror film with shades of H.P. Lovecraft and Alien.
The crew of a deep-sea drilling station must fend off fearsome unknown creatures after a devastating earthquake.
Director William Eubank understands the importance of context and pacing in effective horror. The characters are simple but distinct and engaging, their goals and destination are clearly-established, and the threats they face, both from the elements and the creatures stalking them, steadily escalate.
Underwater generates an excruciating sense of anticipation through its unnerving sound design and gloomy, leaking locations, keeping us constantly on-guard. Calmer stretches heighten the suspense by creating the illusion of safety, which the film breaks with cathartic, unpredictable bursts of terror and violence. The monsters are rarely shown openly, thus preserving their mystery.
Kristen Stewart, as stolid but selfless Norah, continues to distinguish herself in these gritty, smaller genre roles, while T.J. Miller provides some wisecracking levity without going overboard. The plot has some clever foreshadowing, and the action beats are chaotic and stressful in a good way, save for one scene that is a little too hard to follow.
With compelling characters and taut, well-paced horror, Underwater is a deeply immersive experience (pun very much intended).
