Blumhouse introduces the new year’s first horror film, Night Swim. The supernatural horror film directed by Bryce McGuire in his feature debut, is based on the 2014 short film of the same name by McGuire and Rod Blackhurst. Starring Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle, and Gavin Warren, it follows a family haunted by their backyard swimming pool. Historically, January sees lackluster cinema releases, often labeled as the “trash month.” While Blumhouse defied expectations last year with M3GAN, the anticipation for a repeat success with Night Swim seems uncertain based on widely negative early reviews. Anyways, since the film is now out, we have the full summary of the same, but beware that MAJOR SPOILERS follow below.
Night Swim Full Plot Summary and Recap
“Night Swim” unfolds a captivating narrative centered around the Waller family—Ray, Eve, Izzy, and Elliot—as they navigate the challenges of relocation in the suburbs. The family’s quest for a new beginning is spurred by Ray’s hiatus from his professional baseball career due to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The Wallers, accustomed to frequent moves dictated by Ray’s career, encounter a seemingly idyllic house with a pool that holds the promise of a fresh start. Ray’s commitment to muscular therapy through regular swimming, as recommended by his doctor, acts as a catalyst for unforeseen consequences. The initially inviting pool transforms into an ominous force, weaving a web of eerie and disturbing experiences for each family member.
Izzy, during a midnight game of Marco Polo with a friend, faces a near-drowning encounter with a mysterious creature. Eve, swimming alone, witnesses spectral figures on the pool’s edge that vanish when she surfaces for air. Meanwhile, Elliot is inexplicably lured into the deep end by an unseen entity. Despite the family’s growing unease, Ray remains enthralled by hallucinations promising a complete recovery and the revival of his baseball career. The restorative effects of the pool, however, take a dangerous turn, culminating in a harrowing incident at a neighborhood pool party where Ray nearly drowns alongside one of Elliot’s baseball teammates. Ray’s personality undergoes alarming changes, and his fixation on restoring his career overshadows familial responsibilities.
As the mysterious occurrences intensify, Eve begins to suspect that the pool itself may be cursed. Enigmatic figures are spotted by the water at night, dark liquids flow from the drains, and strange creatures appear to lurk beneath the surface. Ray’s midnight swims further unsettle the family, and the disappearance of their cat, Cider, suggests a malevolent force tied to the pool. The film’s opening sequence, set in the 1990s, introduces Rebecca, a young girl swimming in the pool who mysteriously disappears. As Elliot swims one day, he hears Rebecca’s voice from the drains, asking about her mother. The family, initially unaware of the pool’s history, learns from their realtor at a pool party that one of the previous owners, Kay, was Rebecca’s mother.
Night Swim continues as abandoned after Rebecca’s disappearance, the house is linked to a series of child disappearances attributed to the pool. Eve, after meeting with Kay, unravels the pool’s chilling demand for human sacrifice. The pool, under the sinister spell, compelled Kay to facilitate her daughter’s drowning, leading to the miraculous cure of Kay’s bed-bound son. Ray, unknowingly possessed by the pool’s malevolent force, puts the family in peril, driven by an obsession with regaining his mobility and restoring his baseball career. The narrative reaches its climax as Ray’s cognitive state deteriorates, and his physical form undergoes a terrifying transformation. A possessed Ray attacks Izzy, while Eve plunges into the otherworldly depths of the pool to save Elliot.
The ghost of Rebecca aids Eve, allowing them both to escape the pool alive. Ray, subdued by the family, seemingly freed from the demonic force, sacrifices himself to rid the pool of its evil entity. The film concludes with a poignant touch, featuring home video footage of Ray expressing his concerns about the family’s future. Despite filling the pool with dirt to suppress its powers, the Wallers decide to stay in their home to honor Ray’s sacrifice and prevent the reemergence of evil. While the film lacks a post-credit scene teasing a sequel, the lingering possibility of a possessed pool storyline presents franchise potential, especially in light of the collaboration between Blumhouse and Atomic Monster. The success of “Night Swim” could potentially birth a new series within the horror genre, adding another layer to the diverse offerings from the merged production companies.
Night Swim will release on January 5, 2024 in theatres worldwide.
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