Films About Drowning
Drowning is a potent metaphor in cinema, often representing the depths of despair, the struggle for survival, or the overwhelming weight of one's circumstances. Films that explore this theme frequently delve into psychological depths, portraying characters facing both literal and figurative drowning in their lives. These narratives can evoke deep emotional responses, highlighting the fragility of human life and the instinct to fight against the tide of adversity. Here’s a selection of films that center around the theme of drowning:
“The Abyss”, 1989
Director: James Cameron
A deep-sea drilling team encounters a mysterious underwater alien force while trying to rescue a submerged submarine. The film delves into themes of isolation and human resilience against the vastness of the ocean.
Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Captain Kidd Brewer Jr., George Robert Klek, Christopher Murphy, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins, Chris Elliott, Peter Ratray, Michael Beach, Brad Sullivan, Frank Lloyd, Phillip Darlington, Joe Farago, William Wisher, Marcus K. Mukai, Wendy Gordon, Paula Cross, Thomas F. Duffy, Chris Anastasio, Emily Yancy, Michael Chapman, Tom Isbell, Mike Cameron, Daren Dochterman, Candice Hill, Randy Robertson, Robert Searle;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Abyss” on the website imdb.com
“Open Water”, 2003
Director: Chris Kentis
Based on a true story, this thriller follows a couple who accidentally gets left behind in the ocean during a scuba diving trip. As they struggle to survive, the film explores fear, helplessness, and the vastness of the sea.
Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Michael E. Williamson, Cristina Zenarro, John Charles, Estelle Lau, Steve Lemme;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: horror, thriller, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 79 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Open Water” on the website imdb.com
“The Perfect Storm”, 2000
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
This film recounts the true story of a fishing boat caught in a monumental storm. The crew faces the overwhelming power of nature, illustrating the fight against drowning in both literal and metaphorical senses.
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, John Hawkes, Allen Payne, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Karen Allen, Cherry Jones, Bob Gunton, Christopher McDonald, Michael Ironside, Rusty Schwimmer, Janet Wright, Dash Mihok, Josh Hopkins, Todd Kimsey, Chris Palermo, Wiley M. Pickett, Hayden Tank, Merle Kennedy, Jennifer Sommerfield, Joseph D. Reitman, Sandy Ward, Melissa Samuels, Steven Barr, J. Scott Shonka, Patrick Foley, Lloyd Malone, Billy Mayo, Mark Adams, Tim Trotman, Barry Rutstein, Patrick Stinson, Terry Anzur, Katelyn C. Brown, Miles Schneider, James Lee, Jim Argenbright, Michael Spaseff, Walter Altman, Janet Borgman, Jeffrey Corazzini, Tim Cowgill, Elizabeth Duff, Matt Duggan, Shawn Fogarty, Tim Gato;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Perfect Storm” on the website imdb.com
“Adrift”, 2018
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Based on a true story, this survival drama follows a couple who set sail across the Pacific Ocean, only to be caught in a hurricane. Their struggle to survive amidst the vast ocean emphasizes both the beauty and danger of the sea.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Grace Palmer, Tami Ashcraft, Siale Tunoka, Kael Damlamian, Lei-Ming Caine, Neil Andrea, Apakuki Nalawa, Tim Solomon;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, melodrama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
“Life of Pi”, 2012
Director: Ang Lee
After a shipwreck, a young man finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The film explores themes of faith, survival, and the psychological depths of despair amidst the vastness of the ocean.
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan, Ayush Tandon, Gautam Belur, Adil Hussain, Tabu, Ayaan Khan, Mohd. Abbas Khaleeli, Vibish Sivakumar, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu, James Saito, Jun Naito, Andrea Di Stefano, Shravanthi Sainath, Elie Alouf, Padmini Ramachandran, T.M. Karthik Srinivasan, Amarendran Ramanan, Hari Mina Bala, Edison Wang, Ko Yicheng, Jag Huang, Ravi Natesan, Adyant Balaji, Chirag Agarwal, Ahan André Kamath, Om Kamath, Srilekh Katta, Swati Van Rijswijk, M. Keerthana, Indumohan Poornima, Josephine Nithya B., Samyuktha S., A. Deiva Sundari, G. Vasantakumary, A. Vithya, Mythili Prakash, Raj Patel, Hadiqa Hamid, Iswar Srikumar, Navi Dhanoa;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: fantasy, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Life of Pi” on the website imdb.com
“The Shallows”, 2016
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
A surfer finds herself stranded on a rock 200 yards from shore, while a great white shark circles her. The film is a tense thriller that explores survival instincts in the face of impending doom.
Starring: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, Joseph Salas, Brett Cullen, Sedona Legge, Pablo Calva, Diego Espejel, Janelle Bailey, Ava Dean, Chelsea Moody, Sully Seagull;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: horror, action, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “The Shallows” on the website imdb.com
“A Single Shot”, 2013
Director: David M. Rosenthal
While not primarily about drowning, the film features haunting scenes of a man struggling with guilt and despair, culminating in moments that evoke the feeling of being submerged in one's own consequences.
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs, Joe Anderson, Ophelia Lovibond, Ted Levine, William H. Macy, Amy Sloan, W. Earl Brown, Heather Lind, Christie Burke, Jenica Bergere, Lana Giacose, David Flannery, Duffy, Michael Eisner, A.C. Peterson;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,7;
More information about the film “A Single Shot” on the website imdb.com
“Soul Surfer”, 2011
Director: Sean McNamara
Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack, the film explores her journey to overcome fear and return to surfing, with themes of resilience against the backdrop of the ocean.
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo, Ross Thomas, Chris Brochu, Lorraine Nicholson, Jeremy Sumpter, Sonya Balmores, Craig T. Nelson, Cody Gomes, Branscombe Richmond, Titus Kinimaka, John Philbin, Tahini Bartolome, Bridget Tully, Tiffany Hofstetter, Kelly Crean, Dylan Slater, Annie Gerstenberger, Yasmin Dar, Christie Brooke, Cayla Moore, Moon Otteman, David Tice, Wesley Mann, Patrick Richwood, Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Kaleo Relator, Irie Driscoll, Faith Fay, David Chokachi, David Stanfield, Beau Hodge, Dutch Hofstetter, Michael Coots, Kaipo Guerrero, Rocky Canon, Mark Kubr, Kim Morgan Greene, Shelley Trotter, Arlene Newman-Van Asperen, Bailey Nagy, Leilani Gryde, Kristen Steiner, Alana Blanchard, Bethany Hamilton, Cherilyn Hamilton;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, sport, biography, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Soul Surfer” on the website imdb.com
“The Deep”, 1977
Director: Peter Yates
A couple's vacation in Bermuda turns into a thrilling adventure when they discover a sunken ship filled with treasure, leading to encounters with danger both above and below the surface of the water.
Starring: Jacqueline Bisset, Nick Nolte, Dick Anthony Williams, Robert Shaw, Earl Maynard, Bob Minor, Louis Gossett Jr., Eli Wallach, Teddy Tucker, Robert Tessier, Lee McClain, Mark Heenehan, Cameron Mitchell, Colin Shaw, Peter Wallach;
Production year: 1977;
Genre: thriller, detective, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “The Deep” on the website imdb.com
These films utilize the theme of drowning not only as a plot device but also as a means to explore deeper human emotions and the instinct to survive against overwhelming odds.
In the realm of cinema, films about drowning have the power to immerse us in a sea of emotions, captivating our senses with their raw intensity. From the harrowing struggles of survival to the metaphorical depths of despair, these films delve into the fragile nature of human existence and the overwhelming power of water. Through their poignant narratives, breathtaking visuals, and stellar performances, these films remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every breath. Whether exploring the physical or metaphorical aspects of drowning, these films leave an indelible mark, provoking introspection and stirring our deepest emotions long after the credits roll.
