Night Swim is an intriguing premise and solid performances hold potential, but ultimately the film fails to deliver a truly compelling or terrifying experience. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
Night Swim releases in theaters across the United States tomorrow, January 5, 2023. The film stars Wyatt Russell (Ray Waller), Amélie Hoeferle (Izzy Waller), Gavin Warren (Elliot Waller), Kerry Condon (Eve Waller), Jodi Long (Kay), and Eddie Martinez (Coach E). It was produced by James Wan and Jason Blum, written by Rod Blackhurst, and directed by Bryce McGuire. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
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Night Swim Movie Quotes
Night Swim Parents Guide
In Night Swim: Forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness, former baseball player Ray Waller moves into a new house with his wife and two children. He hopes that the backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for himself. However, a dark secret from the home’s past soon unleashes a malevolent force that drags the family into the depths of inescapable terror.
Night Swim Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what concerned parents need to know about the age ratings of the series before letting their younger children watch Night Swim.
Language: Night Swim contains some strong language, with profanity used throughout. Stronger words include sh*t, once use of the word p*&&y, d*mn, and some milder language like barf bag and idiot.
Mature Content: The biggest lookout in the film, other than the stronger language, is the supernatural horror it contains. Characters are shown being possessed, haunted, injured, and murdered by an evil spirit. There is a missing young girl and cat that the film implied she drowned, which may be triggering for some viewers. A parent participates in the murder of one of her children, and another parent attempts to harm and murder their child. There is a scene showing the ghosts of drowning victims, and another scene depicts a teen boy almost drowning. There is some blood and gore, but not much. However, characters are possessed and are shown bleeding from the eyes and vomiting a dark substance.
Age Rating of the Movie Night Swim Age Rating: Universal Pictures Night Swim movie rating has a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America – MPAA ratings – for terror, some violent content and language, and the parental guidelines advisory recommends it for mature audiences, an older audience, an adult audience, young viewers, young adults, little kids, older kids, and teens aged 13 years and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or a legal guardian (adult guardian) for this restricted PG-13 category is highly suggested for young children, teenage children. and young kids under 13 years of age in this PG-13-rated motion picture for adult material. The minimum age recommendation is 13 years old. The film does not contain partial or brief nudity or drug use content or drug abuse.
Overall Thoughts
Blumhouse and Atomic Monster’s 2024 horror flick, Night Swim, has plunged into audiences and critics alike, leaving some breathless and others gasping for air. It stars Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and The Winter Soldier) and Academy Award nominee Kerry Condon for her supporting role in The Banshees of Inisherin. the duo deliver nuanced portrayals of a family fractured by grief and haunted by more than just water. Their desperation and vulnerability feel raw and genuine.
Night Swim isn’t afraid to play with familiar haunted house tropes, offering glimpses of something more layered and thought-provoking beneath the surface. This lends it a touch of originality. It masterfully builds an atmosphere of creeping dread, thanks to its eerie soundscapes and unsettling use of light and shadow. Every dip into the pool feels like a calculated risk, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Despite the ominous build-up, the actual scares often fall flat. Jump scares feel predictable, and the film relies heavily on tired genre conventions without fully utilizing their potential. The plot takes its time to unfold, sometimes meandering into uneventful territory. This can leave some viewers feeling impatient and unsatisfied with the eventual resolution.
All in all, Night Swim’s intriguing premise and solid performances hold potential, but ultimately the film fails to deliver a truly compelling or terrifying experience. Whether you find it worth a watch depends on your tolerance for familiar horror tropes and your desire for original chills. If you’re looking for a refreshingly unique and terrifying experience, you might want to dive into a different pool.
