Open Water

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Open Water

R,

2003,

1h 19m,

Mystery & Thriller/

Adventure/

Drama/

Horror

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Watchlist

Watchlist

71%

195 Reviews

Tomatometer

33%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

195 Reviews

33%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Daniel (Daniel Travis) and Susan (Blanchard Ryan) embark on a tropical vacation with their scuba-diving certifications in tow. During a group dive, the two separate themselves from the others to dive a little deeper. An incorrect head-count suggests the entire group has returned, so the boat departs. When the pair surfaces, they make out a vessel in the distance, but it does not immediately set in that they have been left behind. With sharks lurking beneath, their survival chances grow smaller.

Critics Consensus

A low budget thriller with some intense moments.

Read Critics Reviews

Will Self

London Evening Standard

Jan 9, 2018

Open Water is being touted as one of the most frightening films to chomp into your psyche for a long time, but either I'm secretly being fed sedatives or this is a case of good old hype meets collective hysteria.

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Dan Jolin

Empire Magazine

Sep 11, 2004

3/5

As it dawns on the couple that they've slipped several links down the food chain, you're right there with them.

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Jeannette Catsoulis

Las Vegas Mercury

Sep 8, 2004

4/5

Open Water is terrifying on a purely primal level. In a fear-of-the-dark, monsters-under-the-bed way, it twangs nerves forgotten since childhood.

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Joe Lipsett

Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting

Jul 15, 2025

3/5

A minimalist shark film with only a few characters, real sharks, and a horrifying real life event. Points for how grim the film is willing to get, and a horrifying shark frenzy sequence that follows a night out in the ocean during a storm.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Jul 6, 2023

4/5

Inspired by similar events in Australia in 1998, director Kentis' film is a triumph of understatement.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 15, 2023

3/4

An uneasy watch.

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Poe P

Jan 30, 2019

71%!? Youï¿ 1/2(TM)ve got to be kidding me. I completely wasted 79 minutes of my life that I wish I could have back. Itï¿ 1/2(TM)s movies like these that you guys rate high that gives yï¿ 1/2(TM)all a bad name.

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Anakin W

Nov 12, 2018

Open Water is shot in an almost documentary style and with two part-time actors. Do not let these facts deter you from catching this movie wherever you can. The film is based on a true story about two scuba divers(couple) who happen to get left behind by their tour boats in shark infested waters. You know the ending of the story but the lead up to it is an exercise in creating and maintaining tension. The film is also great for budding filmmakers on how to make a cheap but good film- this was made for a mere 120,000 dollars. Do not miss it, even if you have a fear of sharks. (A great low budget horror on the waters).

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Leia S

Oct 19, 2018

Open Water is shot in an almost documentary style and with two part-time actors. Do not let these facts deter you from catching this movie wherever you can. The film is based on a true story about two scuba divers(couple) who happen to get left behind by their tour boats in shark infested waters. You know the ending of the story but the lead up to it is an exercise in creating and maintaining tension. The film is also great for budding filmmakers on how to make a cheap but good film- this was made for a mere 120,000 dollars. Do not miss it, even if you have a fear of sharks.

See more

George S

Oct 14, 2018

Open Water is shot in an almost documentary style and with two part-time actors. Do not let these facts deter you from catching this movie wherever you can. The film is based on a true story about two scuba divers(couple) who happen to get left behind by their tour boats in shark infested waters. You know the ending of the story but the lead up to it is an exercise in creating and maintaining tension. The film is also great for budding filmmakers on how to make a cheap but good film- this was made for a mere 120,000 dollars. Do not miss it, even if you have a fear of sharks.

See more

Harry S

Sep 27, 2018

Open Water is shot in an almost documentary style and with two part-time actors. Do not let these facts deter you from catching this movie wherever you can. The film is based on a true story about two scuba divers(couple) who happen to get left behind by their tour boats in shark infested waters. You know the ending of the story but the lead up to it is an exercise in creating and maintaining tension. The film is also great for budding filmmakers on how to make a cheap but good film- this was made for a mere 120,000 dollars. Do not miss it, even if you have a fear of sharks.

See more

Han S

Sep 27, 2018

Open Water is shot in an almost documentary style and with two part-time actors. Do not let these facts deter you from catching this movie wherever you can. The film is based on a true story about two scuba divers(couple) who happen to get left behind by their tour boats in shark infested waters. You know the ending of the story but the lead up to it is an exercise in creating and maintaining tension. The film is also great for budding filmmakers on how to make a cheap but good film- this was made for a mere 120,000 dollars. Do not miss it, even if you have a fear of sharks.

See more

Read all reviews

Chris Kentis

Director

Blanchard Ryan

Susan

Daniel Travis

Daniel

Saul Stein

Seth

Estelle Lau

Estelle

Michael E. Williamson

Davis

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Synopsis

Daniel (Daniel Travis) and Susan (Blanchard Ryan) embark on a tropical vacation with their scuba-diving certifications in tow. During a group dive, the two separate themselves from the others to dive a little deeper. An incorrect head-count suggests the entire group has returned, so the boat departs. When the pair surfaces, they make out a vessel in the distance, but it does not immediately set in that they have been left behind. With sharks lurking beneath, their survival chances grow smaller.

Director: Chris Kentis
Producer: Laura Lau
Screenwriter: Chris Kentis
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Plunge Pictures LLC
Rating: R (Some Nudity|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Adventure, Drama, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.5M
Runtime: 1h 19m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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