Night Swim (2024)
Former baseball player Ray Waller moves his family into a new suburban house, seeking physical therapy in its neglected backyard pool after an MS diagnosis. His condition rapidly improves, but his wife, Eve, realizes the pool is a cursed well of sacrifice. Soon, a malevolent presence surfaces, demanding a steep price for its miraculous healing powers, terrifying the family.
Length: 1h38m
Genre: Supernatural Horror
This Title is: Aquatic dread and generational curse.
Cast
Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle, Gavin Warren, Jodi Long
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: PG-13 – Terror, some violent content, and language.
FAQ
- Is Night Swim (2024) Based on a True Story?: No. It is based on a three-minute short production from 2014 by Bryce McGuire and Rod Blackhurst.
- Where was Night Swim (2024) filmed?: Principal photography took place in Altadena, California and the greater Los Angeles area.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: Mark Korven
Filmmaker Profile
Bryce McGuire, who wrote and directed this feature, expanded the story from his 2014 short production. He collaborates with production powerhouses James Wan and Jason Blum, bringing a high-concept approach to suburban horror, focusing on the dark secrets hidden in seemingly perfect domestic settings.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The picture offers a fresh take on a common domestic space—the backyard pool—turning a symbol of relaxation into a source of pure terror. The direction skillfully uses the fluid environment for suspense and unique visuals, making everyday actions like swimming feel deeply unsettling. It’s a gripping premise executed with tight pacing.
Main Character Deep Dive
Ray Waller’s struggle is central, driven by his forced retirement due to a degenerative illness. His fervent desire to recover makes him susceptible to the pool’s evil influence, turning the hope for healing into a terrifying internal conflict. Wyatt Russell delivers an intensely physical and emotionally raw performance as a man losing himself to the promise of health.
Unforgettable Quote
“The pool is the greatest thing that has happened to me.”
Trivia
- It is the first joint production released by the newly merged Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster companies.
- The feature expanded on a three-minute short of the same name from 2014, which was also directed by Bryce McGuire.
- The film’s composer, Mark Korven, is known for his work on other celebrated supernatural pictures, including The Witch and The Lighthouse.
Trailer
Streaming Link
Stream Night Swim (2024) on:
Our Review
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I found this picture to be an unexpectedly fun ride, particularly in how it manages to make a simple backyard pool feel like the most terrifying place on Earth. The visual language is spectacular, using the murky darkness and underwater light in ways that create genuine, stomach-churning tension. I especially appreciated the commitment of the cast, particularly Kerry Condon and Wyatt Russell, whose performances ground the supernatural events in genuine family concern. Russell perfectly portrays the hopeful desperation of a man confronting his own mortality. I was completely invested in the family’s struggle to put down roots and escape their recent misfortune, only to find a far greater horror awaiting them. The direction keeps the pace snappy, making for a lean, focused experience that maximizes its single-location setting. It’s a stylish and genuinely unsettling experience that succeeds as a fantastic entry into the genre.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you enjoy tight, stylish supernatural scares that turn a familiar domestic setting into a source of unique terror and appreciate a strong focus on family stakes.
