Review of Underwater (2020) by Tarekali — 09 Apr 2022

I recently rewatched this underrated underwater horror movie, pun intended. Folks dispute the acting abilities of Kristen Stewart, but in this role I found her to be focused and action-oriented, showing caring and sacrifice for the well-being of others, and gritty determination under pressure.

The premise of the movie is certainly compelling, the pitch-black depths of the ocean remain unpierced to humanity as we obsess upwards to space, driven by billionaire egos. There are secrets below which we may never uncover, and some we certainly should not.

There are also accusations of riffing off Alien, and some are valid, especially along the lines of embryo design, ship/suit aesthetics etc. But similarities stop there, the movie stands unique. Lovecraft left behind a deeply disturbing mythos of the sleeping old one Cthulhu, and this is perhaps the only movie to bring that to life in an appropriate scale and majesty.

My fear of the deep dark is renewed.