Film Review – Water Rites (2025)

      Water Rites, 2025.

      Directed by Dean Jacobs.

      Starring Katy Bentz, Dean Jacobs, Dee Wallace, Lynn Lowry, Michael Berryman, Evan Sloan, and Denis Record.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A couple decides to escape their daily grind by spending the summer at a remote lakeside community. However, as they discover the townsfolk's hidden truths, their once-perfect getaway transforms into an inescapable nightmare.

      Drawing inspiration from the urbania sub-genre, which explores the city dweller's fear of small towns and secluded areas, Water Rites delves into the sinister realities that lurk beneath the surface of what initially seems like a serene retreat from everyday chaos. The movie aims high from the beginning, starting with a cinematic overhead shot reminiscent of The Shining as our protagonists, James and Katie, journey across the highway to the quaint lakeside town where they plan to spend their summer painting, working on their property, and indulging in a considerable amount of wine.

      The peculiar nature of the location is subtly suggested in the leisurely-paced opening scenes. It is particularly slow at times, especially during a dinner dance the couple shares to a tune by a local artist. While the music is enjoyable, the scene feels unnecessarily prolonged.

      Nevertheless, the drawn-out sequences have their merits, as they build an unsettling atmosphere through eerie gestures from the strange waiter (Denis Record) and Michael Berryman's boatman, creating a sense of mounting tension that hints at underlying darkness.

      There is a notable charm in the local eccentricities, and the film's first half captures this well, showcasing Dean Jacobs' character encountering various oddities. He is pleased to escape the city, yet soon realizes that the small town has its own set of challenges, many of which are quite unpleasant. Much of his time is spent in the local bar owned by another outsider, Chris (Evan Sloan), who, along with his partner, becomes a new friend and ally for James and Katie.

      As the film progresses, the town's more unsettling aspects, featuring horror icons like Dee Wallace and Lynn Lowry, complicate matters for those who resist their specific ways. While I appreciated the film's exploration of small-town peculiarities and its gradual buildup of tension, I felt that the final reveal lacked sufficient groundwork, rendering it somewhat underwhelming.

      The last act contains genuine horror moments, but following such a prolonged buildup, they appear somewhat forced. Additionally, the contemporary desire to seek authenticity through closer connections with nature is intriguing; however, it clashes with the main narrative at times, resulting in a discordant blend of themes.

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

      Robert W Monk