Suspense-filled Waters
Movie Review – Dangerous Waters
Review by Ray Schillaci
Brainstorm Media releases a nail-biter with Dangerous Waters. You would not think that from the first ten minutes or so, but as this movie slowly builds tension amongst the three leads, including Odeya Rush as Rose the troubled teen, and Eric Dane as Derek Stipes, the mysterious boyfriend of Rose’s mother Alma, played by Saffron Burrows, a pleasant excursion turns into the worst nightmare since Nicole Kidman’s Dead Calm. Director/co-writer John Barr and co-writer Mark Jackson deliver so many twists and turns, it’s as if we are actually riding the high seas in a virtual raucous storm with no end in sight. Going into this film knowing very little about it will make you appreciate it all the more. Which is why I will not get into too much detail.
19 year-old Rose has been living a rough life in a small town in Florida with her single mom, Alma. They’re like two ships passing in the night with Alma working days at a diner and Rose working nights at a hotel. Alma is flighty and fun unlike her daughter. Rose is more grounded, but also troubled with the dead end life they lead (and she still loves her mother immensely). Alma is well aware of her daughter’s feelings and that’s why she takes a big leap of faith with a new boyfriend, Derek, who offers the both of them a weekend sailing trip to Bermuda.
Rose immediately does not trust Derek. He’s too accommodating to her and he’s an ex-cop. He has that macho bravado that comes with a man that went too far with authority. On the other hand, Alma sees nothing but a nice, good looking guy that showers her with love and care. She even sees how he tries to reach out to Rose and she’s none too happy with her daughter’s display of distrust.
Once out in the open sea, tensions build, especially when Alma gets knocked off the boat by accident and Derek tells her to get the first aid kit while he rescues her. While searching for the first aid kit, Rose finds under one of the seats an AR-15-style rifle. Rose grabs the first aid for her mom and her distrust grows further. So much so, she decides to be blunt and flat out asks Derek why he has the rifle on the ship.
Derek simply explains for emergency use only since one never knows what they may encounter on the open sea. He’s an ex-cop, he wants to prepare for anything. Rose asks if she can try shooting it. Alma is uncomfortable with all of it. But, Derek hands her over the rifle and tells her how to use it. She’s surprisingly good.
Eventually, they run into a storm and the tension builds up a notch. But, that’s not the only rough sea they will face. Soon they come face to face with a storm of violence that is as ugly as it gets. What happens next is pulse-pounding and director John Barr never lets up as the film becomes a hair-raising survivalist story that is relentless until the very end. To give anymore details would spoil the fun of having you on the edge of your seat.
Sadly, this was Ray Liotta’s (Goodfellas, Narc) last film. He passed away while in mid-production. Yet his small part is so intense he leaves us begging for more. His presence has never been so menacing. You can only imagine what he could have done with the role had he been able to complete filming. We can thank director Barr for keeping his role in the film.
Dangerous Waters is a top-notch thriller that keeps you guessing practically the whole way through. All three leads are wonderful. Odeya Rush is a stand out as Rose. Her multi-layered performance is so impressive that we cannot help but anticipate the next film she will be in. This young woman has star power. Director John Barr starts off by taking us on a pleasant journey with people we care about and then upends it like a boat capsized in a voracious storm. His journey is well worth the ride.
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
Directed by: John Barr
Release Date: October 13, 2023
Run Time: 101 Minutes
Country: U.S.
Distributor: Brainstorm Media
