Row - Review of the Raindance Film Festival 2025

      Row, 2025.

      Directed by Matthew Losasso.

      Featuring Bella Dayne, Sophie Skelton, Akshay Khanna, Mark Strephan, Nick Staugen, and Jenna Quinn.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A woman washes up on a bloody rowing boat, struggling with fragmented memories of the incident and the disappearance of her crewmates. She must recall what transpired to establish her innocence.

      Row is a powerful and captivating psychological thriller that effectively compares the fear of the turbulent Atlantic Ocean with the unsettling depths of traumatic recollections. The film keeps audiences guessing right up to the conclusion, providing a genuinely chilling journey across the waves.

      The story follows a tense, intense narrative centered on a crew of four aiming to set a world record by rowing across the Atlantic in just twenty-eight days. However, once they arrive in Orkney, only one person survives: Megan. Weakened and partially unconscious, Megan starts to relive the terrifying experiences of the voyage as she receives care to recover.

      The adventure begins in Newfoundland, with the crew consisting of the domineering skipper, Dan (Akshay Khanna), Megan (Bella Dayne), and her friend Lexie (Sophie Skelton). Mike (Nick Skaugen) is a last-minute addition after Lexie’s boyfriend, Adam, withdraws due to an injury.

      Tensions rise quickly as Dan becomes more controlling. When a stray hairband damages the rudder, Megan is wrongly accused. As the crew faces turbulent seas, illness, and damage to their boat, hostility escalates with each new challenge. The desperate circumstances push the crew members towards extreme actions in their fight for survival.

      Matthew Losasso’s impressive debut generates a heightened sense of claustrophobia upon the open waters. Much of the film takes place on a small, fragile boat, intensifying the brutal experiences and grim outlook on the perils of both the ocean and competitive ambition. With only four main characters, the believable dynamics among them grow increasingly intense as conflicts become more severe. This expertly crafted and tightly paced film, written by Losasso and Nick Skaugen (who also acts in the film), showcases outstanding performances.

      Row excels in its intriguing blend of genres. The struggle against the ocean's fury intertwines with a “whodunnit” as Megan seeks to piece together the mystery of the events. This allows the film to transcend its initial appearance. It is in this aspect that the movie truly shines. As we uncover more about the happenings, we gain insight into the characters and their motivations, aiding us in revealing the truth alongside Megan.

      The exploration of memory is skillfully highlighted through a technique that prompts us to question the reliability of Megan’s narrative, often contrasted against video footage of the crew. Notably, the initial excitement of her friend Lexie at the start of the journey contrasts sharply with the terrible crisis that ensues later.

      In the end, Row is a dark and unsettling film, widely acclaimed for its unique vision and distinctive style. It will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, providing an experience reminiscent of desperately clinging to a boat as reality capsizes.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert W Monk