Movie Review: The Drownsman (2014)

Synopsis: After she nearly drowns in a lake, Madison develops a paralyzing fear of water and even misses her friend's wedding because it is raining. Her friends, who have grown frustrated with her phobia and don't believe her when she claims a sinister figure is using water to stalk her, hold an intervention and unwittingly release the man Madison is afraid of.

Who's in it? The movie stars Michelle Mylett, Caroline Palmer, Ry Barrett, JoAnn Nordstrom and Gemma Bird Matheson.

Review: I came across this movie a couple days ago and, even though I did have some doubts about it (I always do when I don't recognize the movie or the people in it), decided to record it so my wife and I could watch it together. After finally finishing it last night, I have to say I was very disappointed by it.

This is a movie that I feel had a lot of potential. The Drownsman (Barrett) could strike from even a small puddle of water and this gave him the opportunity to be a terrifying villain as a result (especially when it was raining out). Unfortunately, the movie just never manages to capitalize on what I feel was a great horror movie concept.

Part of the reason for this is the film never really gives him an identity. We learn a little bit about his past (including the fact he was in his mother's womb for 19 months) but there just seemed to be pieces missing from his backstory.

One thing, in particular, I found puzzling was the belief he could be stopped with fire. Maybe I missed the explanation for this while getting a drink from the kitchen, but it just seemed illogical. If anything, I would think fire would be the last thing to stop a spirit that uses water as his weapon. Clumping cat litter, on the other hand, would make a lot more sense.

The other thing I found I didn't like about this movie was the fact Madison (Mylett) and her friends were actually kind of dull. Yes, they were pretty. But, they all seemed to lack a personality and, not counting the water-powered spirit chasing after them, there wasn't anything even remotely interesting about them.

Heck, even the big surprise twist at the end, explaining Madison's connection to the Drownsman, was lackluster at best. This is largely because the rest of the movie isn't strong enough to cause something like that to elicit any real response.

Final Opinion: As I said before, the movie had a great concept. However, the execution was weak, at best, and the movie just fails to realize its potential as a result. It's just not worth taking the time to watch it.

My Grade: F