Film Review – Row (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 blood-soaked rowing boat. With fragmented memories of the events that transpired and all her crewmates missing, she must piece together what happened to clear her name. Row is a powerful and suspenseful psychological thriller that skillfully draws comparisons between the horrors of the wild Atlantic Ocean and the disturbing recesses of traumatic memory. The film keeps viewers guessing until the very end, providing a truly chilling journey across the waters.

      This tight, intense story follows a team of four on a quest to set a world record by rowing across the Atlantic in just twenty-eight days. However, upon reaching Orkney, only one person survives: Megan. Tired and half-conscious, Megan starts to recount the traumatic occurrences of the voyage as she recuperates.

      The adventure begins in Newfoundland. The crew includes the domineering captain, Dan (Akshay Khanna), Megan (Bella Dayne), and her friend Lexie (Sophie Skelton). Mike (Nick Skaugen) is added to the crew at the last minute after Lexie’s boyfriend, Adam, withdraws due to an injury.

      Tensions quickly rise as Dan becomes more controlling. When a stray hair tie damages the rudder, Megan is unjustly blamed. The crew struggles against treacherous seas, illness, and damage to their boat, with animosity building after each new hurdle. The situation grows increasingly dire, forcing the crew to take extreme measures in their fight for survival.

      Matthew Losasso’s impressive debut creates a heightened sense of claustrophobia on the open waters. Much of the film takes place on a small, fragile boat, emphasizing the harrowing experience and grim perspective on the dangers of both the ocean and competitive ambition. With only four main cast members, the authentic interactions between them intensify as conflicts escalate. This expertly crafted and tightly paced film, co-written by Losasso and Nick Skaugen (who also appears in the movie), showcases outstanding performances.

      Row excels in its engaging blend of genres. The struggle against the ocean’s fury is coupled with a “whodunnit” as Megan seeks to uncover the truth of what happened. This aspect allows the movie to evolve beyond its initial premise. It’s here that the film truly shines. As we learn more about the events, we begin to see different facets of the characters and their motivations, aiding us in discovering the truth alongside Megan.

      The exploration of memory is masterfully depicted with a technique that encourages us to question the reliability of Megan’s narrative, often contrasting it with videos of the crew. Notably, Lexie’s initial enthusiasm at the trip's beginning is poignantly juxtaposed with the dire crisis that unfolds later.

      In the end, Row is a dark and unsettling film, highly acclaimed for its unique vision and distinctive style. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, providing an experience akin to desperately clinging to a boat as reality capsizes.

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

      Robert W Monk