Underwater (2020)

Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller
Director: William Eubank
Cast: Kristen Stewart (Norah Price), Vincent Cassel (Captain Lucien), Jessica Henwick (Emily), T.J. Miller (Paul), John Gallagher Jr. (Linh)

Plot Synopsis:

In the darkest, most uncharted depths of the Mariana Trench, a catastrophic earthquake strikes, collapsing an underwater drilling rig. The survivors are left stranded in the crushing pressure of the ocean floor, with only one chance at escape—a distant drilling station several miles away. What was supposed to be a scientific venture into the abyss quickly turns into a desperate struggle for survival against the unseen horrors of the deep.

Setting:

The movie takes place on a massive underwater drilling rig at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, a place where the pressure is intense, and the ocean’s mysteries are barely understood. The setting transitions from the rig’s claustrophobic, industrial corridors to the vast, pitch-black sea surrounding it. The tension is heightened by the constant threat of structural collapse and the oppressive silence of the ocean, broken only by the groans of the failing rig and the distant growls of something lurking just beyond the survivors’ reach.

Main Characters:

• Norah Price (Kristen Stewart): A mechanical engineer who is haunted by the recent loss of her fiancé. She becomes the reluctant leader of the survivors, using her ingenuity and determination to guide the team through the terrifying, unknown depths. Her journey is one of emotional and physical resilience, as she comes to terms with her grief while trying to protect the people around her.
• Captain Lucien (Vincent Cassel): The hardened leader of the crew who takes charge when the rig begins to collapse. He is a pragmatic figure, focused on survival, but also has a deep sense of responsibility toward his crew. Lucien is a character who struggles with authority and leadership but rises to the challenge as they face the unknown.
• Emily (Jessica Henwick): A resourceful and tough team member who proves invaluable in navigating the wreckage of the rig. Emily’s strength lies in her ability to think on her feet, quickly adapting to the threats they encounter and providing a much-needed sense of hope and camaraderie for the group.
• Paul (T.J. Miller): A comic relief character with an over-the-top personality, Paul’s humor serves as a coping mechanism as the crew faces impossible odds. His snarky commentary lightens the tension but also adds a layer of unpredictability to the group dynamics.
• Linh (John Gallagher Jr.): A quiet and thoughtful crew member who is skilled in repair and maintenance. Linh’s calm demeanor serves as a grounding force for the team in moments of extreme stress, though he is constantly grappling with fear of the unknown creatures hunting them.

Plot Development:

1. The Collapse: The film opens with the crew carrying out routine maintenance work on the rig, when suddenly a massive earthquake shakes the ocean floor. The resulting disaster causes severe damage, rupturing the rig’s core structure and sending the crew into a desperate scramble for survival. Norah, initially disoriented and trapped, must navigate the wreckage and pull together the fractured team.
2. The Journey Begins: With the rig sinking into the depths, the survivors have no choice but to begin their harrowing trek toward a nearby drilling station, the only known place where they could find safety. As they traverse the treacherous terrain, they encounter the first signs of danger: deep-sea creatures—mutated and hostile—lurk in the shadows, waiting to strike. The claustrophobic atmosphere intensifies as the crew faces not only the overwhelming physical danger of the deep ocean but also the creeping terror of being hunted.
3. The Ancient Terror: As the survivors descend into the darkness of the ocean, they begin to realize that the creatures stalking them are not ordinary predators. They are ancient beings, remnants of a forgotten world, evolved and adapted to the extreme conditions of the ocean floor. The crew faces not only the immediate threat of physical harm but also the growing realization that the forces they’re up against are beyond human understanding.
4. Character Struggles and Survival: The movie delves into the emotional and psychological toll of their situation. Norah, still grieving the death of her fiancé, begins to step into a leadership role, while the team must confront their personal demons, fears, and regrets. As each member of the crew faces their own struggles, the group must rely on their strengths and work together to navigate the perilous depths.
5. The Final Push: As they approach the drilling station, they must make a final, terrifying decision: continue on and risk encountering the monsters in the deep, or stay and wait for a rescue that may never come. But as the creatures grow more violent and aggressive, the survivors are forced into a terrifying confrontation with the ancient, unknowable forces beneath the ocean floor. Norah must summon every ounce of strength, both physical and emotional, to lead the remaining survivors to safety—and face the possibility that some things are better left undisturbed beneath the waves.

Themes:

• Survival and Resilience: The film explores the lengths to which the survivors will go to stay alive, both physically and emotionally. The horror of the deep is not just the creatures they encounter, but the unrelenting isolation and psychological toll of being trapped in an unforgiving environment.
• Fear of the Unknown: The unknown creatures represent humanity’s deepest fear—what lurks in the vast, unexplored depths of the ocean, where light never reaches and ancient forces stir in the darkness.
• Grief and Leadership: Norah’s emotional journey mirrors the overarching theme of the film—surviving the overwhelming odds while coming to terms with personal loss and stepping up to take control when there seems to be no hope.
• Human Endurance: The characters’ endurance, both mentally and physically, is put to the ultimate test. Their struggle is as much about fighting the creatures of the deep as it is about enduring the overwhelming terror of the unknown.

Visuals and Cinematography:

• The film’s cinematography emphasizes the claustrophobic, oppressive nature of the ocean depths. Dark, murky waters, tight corridors on the rig, and the eerie silence of the deep create a tense and terrifying atmosphere throughout.
• The creature designs are grotesque and alien, with hints of bioluminescence and strange evolutionary features that make them both beautiful and deadly.
• Action sequences, especially those in the tight spaces of the damaged rig or underwater caverns, are shot to maximize tension, leaving little room for escape or relief.