Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- dread-filled
- claustrophobic
- visceral
- late night horror
- survival thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an intense and effective minimalist thriller, though some felt its sparse characterization limited emotional investment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Susan and Daniel are stranded in open water with no immediate shelter, rescue, or reliable sense of distance.
Sharks, exhaustion, panic, and exposure create the threat within an otherwise recognizable scuba-diving excursion.
The low-budget production and extended focus on two divers adrift emphasize endurance, bodily discomfort, and uncertainty.
A Caribbean holiday and recreational dive become a life-threatening ordeal after the boat crew miscounts the divers.
Films like Open Water, and why
The Shallows
shared survival horror, primal fear, and minimalist escalation in an unforgiving natural environment
All Is Lost
shared maritime isolation, psychological distress, and stripped-down survival thriller structure
Jaws
shared natural horror, oceanic vulnerability, and intense human panic under minimalist filmmaking
Force Majeure
shared relationship tension, survival pressure, and dread arising from an apparently ordinary vacation
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Kentis
- Release Date
- 2004-08-06
- Runtime
- 79 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (1166)
Cast
- Blanchard Ryan
- Daniel Travis
- Saul Stein
- Michael E. Williamson
- Cristina Zenato
- John Charles
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Open Water about?
- A recreational scuba outing becomes a harrowing fight for survival when a couple is accidentally abandoned in shark-infested Caribbean waters.
- What is Open Water like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Open Water as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Open Water violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Open Water as moderate.
- What did critics think of Open Water?
- Critics generally found the film an intense and effective minimalist thriller, though some felt its sparse characterization limited emotional investment.
- Which films are like Open Water?
- Films with a similar feel include The Shallows, All Is Lost, Jaws, and Force Majeure.
- How long is Open Water?
- Open Water runs 79 minutes.
- Where can I watch Open Water?
- In United States, Open Water streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
