Open Water

Open Water (2003)

  • 72% of critics liked it
    (191 reviews)

  • 32% of users liked it
    (54,582 ratings)

Independent filmmaker Chris Kentis directs the dramatic thriller Open Water, based on a true story. Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis) are a busy married couple on an island vacation. They board a vessel called the Reef Explorer with a group of other scuba divers, traveling 15 miles… More

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R,
Directed By
Written By
Chris Kentis
Genres
Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
Aug 20, 2004 Wide
Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    There are no Hollywood heroes in these waters, only two regular people ... plus you and me, huddling in the dark.

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    An unnerving 'What if?' scenario that you won't be able to shake -- from either your dreams or your waking thoughts.

  • Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

    Sharks are nature's most efficient killing machines. Open Water, which co-stars sharks, is the summer cinema's most efficient scaring machine.

  • Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

    Considered in its ham-handed entirety, Open Water feels more of an exercise in cinematic sadism.

  • Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

    Terrifying precisely because it doesn't go in for cheesy shock tactics and special effects.

Read all 17 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Candy R


    True story about a couple who got left behind on a diving trip in the open water.

  • Ken S


    A really interesting concept that's HORRIBLY executed. There's no plot. Only a lot of bickering, the occasional scream, and a situation that runs out of gas about half way through the film. Thank god they all died.

  • Mike S


    How unsettling of a thought that this has all happened for real. I can't imagine a situation more terrifying than being alone and helpless in shark-infested waters. Filming it with handheld cameras, using only unknown actors, added even more to the realism. Most of the suspense… More

  • Lorenzo v


    <i>"Other people go on vacation and spend their days just laying around. We have a story we're going to be telling for the rest of our lives."</i> Based on the true story of two scuba divers accidentally stranded in shark infested waters after their tour… More

  • Dan S


    A well-acted, expertly shot drama concerning a busy couple (Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis) who elect to take a vacation south of the border in hopes of growing closer together. However, after the ship that takes them scuba diving leaves them behind by accident, they are forced to… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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