Movie Reviews

‘The Dive’ review: Surprisingly subtle survival thriller

Never comes together like it should.

August 24, 2023

The Dive is a survival thrill that takes a different approach. Sisters Drew (Sophie Lowe, Blow the Man Down) and May (Louisa Krause, Cryptozoo) have taken a deep-sea diving trip to one of the world’s most remote locations. While underwater, a catastrophic landslide leaves May trapped under the debris. Drew must now race against the clock to save her sister.

Director Maximilian Erlenwein (who also co-wrote the film) takes a subdued approach to just about everything that happens. The disaster is barely shown and there is little in the way of action. Even the most tension filled moments rely more on the music than anything else.

It is an interesting decision that leads to mixed results. Some things work, such as a frenzied attempt to obtain extra oxygen tanks. It pulls the audience in, but it is also one of the few times this type of emotion is seen. (That being said, the sense of urgency is always there.)

There are also a number of great looking shots in The Dive. But as beautiful as the underwater scenes are, they often feel out of place. Long and slow, these moments seem like something out of a documentary. Compounding matters is how the leads are not given much to work with. The siblings alternate between panicking and attempting to stay calm and little else. Ironically, both characters lack any depth.

The Dive is a good idea that never comes together. The premise has suspense organically built into it and there are some clever ideas. All of the diving shots are eye-catching and stand out from the rest of the film. Writing missteps prevent it from reaching its full potential, however.