Quicksand is an interesting premise that takes place in the Colombian rainforest. Sofia (Carolina Gaitan, Encanto) and Josh (Allan Hawco, The Breach) are a married couple who are separating. While attending a conference, the two decide to go hiking. They soon find themselves trapped in quicksand battling angry ants, a venomous snake, and each other.
Quicksand is not seen as often in movies as it used to be. Even during its peak, it was usually just in one scene as an obstacle or trap to be dealt with. It was never the main villain and for good reason. After all, how much of a story can be told? The answer is not much at all, so Quicksand tries to skirt the issue by introducing different dangers. The expected issues brought by nature are here, but it is only a few scenes and never all that tense or interesting. There is also a subplot involving a friend and a criminal that ends up going nowhere.
But the biggest enemy they have is each other. From the first time they are introduced, there is a deep rooted tension between the two. The film explains why, but it does not help matters. As Quicksand escalates, the arguments become louder and more frequent. They barely attempt to be civil towards each other.
It makes for an annoying watch. No matter the situation, the pair end up yelling at each other. This takes away from what little suspense there is. How dangerous can the situation be if there is time to tear apart remarks or take jabs at each other? It would make sense if their attitudes were a result of the situation they are in. Quicksand could have been a character study examining how people react under the worst conditions. Instead, it becomes a film about watching two people bicker.
Quicksand premieres on Shudder July 14
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