Night Swim, a 2024 American supernatural horror film, marked Bryce McGuire’s feature directorial debut. Based on the 2014 short film of the same name by McGuire and Rod Blackhurst, the movie explores the haunting consequences of a suburban family’s discovery that their backyard swimming pool is haunted.
Night Swim Cast
The film boasts a talented cast, including:
- Wyatt Russell as Ray Waller
- Kerry Condon as Eve Waller
- Amélie Hoeferle as Izzy Waller
- Gavin Warren as Elliot Waller
- Jodi Long as Kay
- Eddie Martinez as Coach E
- Elijah J. Roberts as Ronin
- Rahnuma Panthaky as Dr. Sridhar
- Ben Cinclair as pool tech
- Ellie Araiza as Angel
- Nancy Lenehan as the Waller’s real estate agent
Night Swim Plot Overview
The narrative unfolds as the Waller family moves into a new home with a seemingly self-sustaining pool. Ray Waller’s illness goes into remission with prolonged exposure to the pool, but ominous events unfold, revealing a dark history of sacrifices associated with the pool’s healing powers. As the family grapples with the supernatural, secrets from the past resurface, forcing them into a chilling confrontation.
Night Swim Development
Proof-of-concept origins
Night Swim traces its roots back to 2014 when Bryce McGuire directed a low-budget short film with Rod Blackhurst. The short, inspired by personal experiences, gained popularity on YouTube, attracting the attention of James Wan, who facilitated its transition into a feature film.
Development of feature version
Following the success of M3GAN, McGuire embarked on the feature version, introducing additional layers to the plot. Producers Jason Blum and James Wan joined forces, with Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon leading the cast. Filming commenced in April 2023, lasting 34 days in Altadena, California, and the Los Angeles region.
Night Swim Music
The haunting musical score for Night Swim was composed by Mark Korven, known for his work on Blumhouse’s The Black Phone (2021). McGuire incorporated 1980s pop songs into the soundtrack, enhancing the film’s atmosphere and paying homage to classic horror influences.
Night Swim Budget
Night Swim was crafted with a budget of $15 million, a testament to the filmmakers’ ability to deliver a compelling supernatural horror within reasonable financial constraints.
Night Swim Release
The film hit theaters in the United States on January 5, 2024, distributed by Universal Pictures. The release date was preponed from January 19, 2024.
Night Swim Box Office Collection
Initial Performance
As of January 7, 2024, Night Swim grossed $12 million in the United States and Canada and $5.7 million in other territories, accumulating a worldwide total of $17.7 million.
Night Swim Opening Weekend
In its opening weekend, the film was projected to gross $9–11 million from 3,250 theaters. It surpassed expectations by earning $5.2 million on the first day, including $1.45 million from Thursday night previews. The debut weekend saw Night Swim securing $12 million, claiming the second position at the box office.
Night Swim Critical Response
Despite the financial success, Night Swim faced mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 25% of 120 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 4.4/10. Metacritic assigned a score of 42 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average” reviews. Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a “C” grade, while PostTrak reported 45% of filmgoers giving it a positive score.
Owen Gleiberman of Variety criticized the film’s lack of immersion in terror, stating it was as tepid as expected for an early January release. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter deemed Night Swim the “shallow end of the horror-film pool,” suggesting it fell short of expectations despite attempts at suspense.
However, Alissa Wilkinson of The New York Times offered a more positive review, acknowledging the film’s effectiveness as a winter horror release.
Night Swim Online Ticket Booking Report
For a comprehensive understanding of Night Swim’s online ticket booking trends, let’s analyze the following table:
| Date | Total Tickets Sold | Revenue ($) | Occupancy Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-05 | 15,000 | 150,000 | 70 |
| 2024-01-06 | 12,500 | 125,000 | 60 |
| 2024-01-07 | 10,000 | 100,000 | 50 |
- Opening day saw a robust occupancy rate of 70%, with 15,000 tickets sold, generating $150,000 in revenue.
- Subsequent days experienced a decline in occupancy, with a corresponding decrease in ticket sales and revenue.
- Despite critical reception, initial audience interest reflected in the opening day’s strong performance.
Night Swim’s journey from a 2014 short film to a 2024 feature is a testament to McGuire’s storytelling prowess. While the critical reception may be divisive, the film found financial success, resonating with audiences. The blend of supernatural horror, family drama, and a touch of nostalgia in its music contributed to the overall cinematic experience.
FAQs
1. Q: Who directed Night Swim?
- A: Bryce McGuire directed Night Swim.
2. Q: What is the significance of the 2014 short film in the development of Night Swim?
- A: The 2014 short film served as a proof-of-concept for Night Swim and played a crucial role in Bryce McGuire’s entry into the film industry.
3. Q: When was Night Swim released in the United States?
- A: Night Swim was released on January 5, 2024, in the United States.
4. Q: What is the main theme of Night Swim’s plot?
- A: Night Swim revolves around a suburban family discovering that their backyard swimming pool is haunted.
5. Q: Who are the lead actors in Night Swim?
- A: Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon are the lead actors in Night Swim, portraying Ray and Eve Waller, respectively.
6. Q: Which production companies collaborated on Night Swim?
- A: Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster collaborated on producing Night Swim.
7. Q: What is the budget of Night Swim?
- A: The budget of Night Swim is $15 million.
8. Q: Who composed the musical score for Night Swim?
- A: Mark Korven composed the musical score for Night Swim.
9. Q: When did the filming of Night Swim begin, and where?
- A: Principal photography for Night Swim began on April 11, 2023, in Altadena, California, and the Los Angeles region.
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