’12 Feet Deep’ (2017) Movie Review

Summer is here, and with it, some summer horror flicks that will make you never want to go in the water ever again. I had the opportunity to review Matt Eskandari’s (Victim, Game of Assassins) new film 12 Feet Deep. When I saw the trailer for the film, I was drawn in. At first I didn’t believe that someone could get trapped underneath a pool cover but after watching the film and seeing news reports, I can now see that this could happen in real life. 12 Feet Deep takes your fear of water and being trapped to the next level. So dive in with us as I take a look at this underwater horror.

https://youtu.be/HsNp9bx7Wqs

Official Synopsis: 

Inspired by true events, two sisters are trapped under the fiberglass cover of an Olympic sized public pool and must brave the cold and each other to survive the harrowing night.

What Works?

The story works, even with it being based on true events. Before seeing the film, I thought, “How stupid could you possibly be to get stuck in a pool?” but the events that transpired to getting the sisters trapped was completely believable. Also, the relationship between the sisters was written beautifully. When in a situation where you are probably going to die, you have an epiphany of your life. Bree (Nora-Jane Noone) and Jonna (Alexandra Park)  have had a hard childhood with an abusive father, but more is explored as Jonna has had some problems with drugs while Bree has had a better life with her fairy-tale fiancé. Now, it could get really boring just in one location throughout the film, but Eskandari keeps the audience entertained when the girl’s salvation night janitor, Clara (Diane Farr), turns out to be their torturer.

What Doesn’t Work?

The only qualm I have about the film is that Tobin Bell as McGradey is barely in the film. I think he is probably in it for a total of 10 minutes. The trailer misled me to think that Bell had had a bigger part, but in reality, he didn’t.

Final Thoughts

If you like underwater, claustrophobic horror thrillers, then this is your film. If you saw the trailer and are expecting Tobin Bell to pull off a Jigsaw spin-off, then you are going to be sadly mistaken. This film, for me, was a thrill ride; it takes a look at what would it be like to have to not only fight for your life but fight to stay alive. 12 Feet Deep will be available to view on Vudu, Amazon and Apple on June 20th.