Open Water

Cast: Daniel Travis, Blanchard Ryan and Saul Stein

Director: Chris Kentis

Release Date: 2003

Running Time: 1hr 16 minutes

Genre: Independent Thriller

Rating: 15

Format: Amazon Prime UK

Synopsis:

Two scuba divers are accidentally stranded in shark infested waters when their tour boat leaves without them. 

Susan and Daniel are looking forward to their much needed holiday in the Caribbean. Looking forward to doing a little bit of diving on their holiday they head out on a charter boat one morning, only to find they have been left behind after their guide miscounted. The thought of being stranded anywhere for some will be frightening alone, let alone stranded at sea. Based on the true story on Tom and Eileen Lonergan who in 1998, found themselves stranded on The Great Barrier Reef , when their boat failed to make an accurate headcount.

It doesn't take long for Susan and Daniel to realise that their boat isn't coming back for them. Praying that each and every boat that passes by will see them. Cold and frightened, they find themselves surrounded by sharks. Daniel Travis and Blanchard Ryan both deliver very real and genuine performances. Filmed in the style of a home movie, financed by Director Chris Kentis and his wife Laura Lau who are both passionate about scuba diving. Considering it's an independant movie that had a budget of $120,000 and went onto make millions is quite an achievement on it's own. It soon went onto have very positives reviews at the Sundance Film Festival.

Audiences should not go in expecting to see "Jaws", it is simply more a psychological thriller. How would you react if you had been stranded in shark infested waters. No food, no water. Stuck in the middle of nowhere, miles from land. It's refreshing to see a film use real sharks, not only that but show their real behaviour. Sharks won't intentionally attack humans. Although the storyline for some will appear rather predictable there are certainly a few intense moments that audiences won't see coming.

A refreshing take on an independent thriller. Surprising and intense!

3.5/5 stars