Despite being a $40 million box office flop, Kristen Stewart’s 2020 filmUnderwaterwas able to save itself due to its fantastically done final twist. On the surface,Underwater’ssci-fi horror premiseseems to mirror many other staples of the genre, including the iconicAlienfranchise, due to its claustrophobic conditions and cast of intrepid characters.The story of a group of workers at a drilling facility being accosted by monsters is not new, but the execution of it in 2020 is what truly set it apart.
Underwater,even with its disappointing numbers upon release, was able to become one of themost underrated horror movies of 2020.This may partly be due to the fact that many of the actors, including Kristen Stewart herself, starred in successful projects after the film’s release, drawing audiences in who wanted to see more of their work. However, one other major reason has to do with the movie’s ending twist, which introduced an iconic monster with both an expansive history and fanbase that dates back to the late 1920s.
Underwater’s Cthulu Ending Twist Elevated The Kristen Stewart Movie Above Mediocrity
Underwater Would Otherwise Be An Alien Copycat
Theending ofUnderwaterfeatured the classic monster from H.P. Lovecraft’s works, elevating the film beyond the mediocrity of its premise while adapting a difficult horror staple.Underwater’spremise shares many similarities toAlien,as the story follows a group trapped in dangerous circumstances who are being chased by unknown creatures.Underwatersimply switches outer space to the depths of the Mariana Trench.Underwater’smovie ending, though, reworked that premise by adding the Lovecraftian god Cthuluin a welcome twist.
Underwater: The Lovecraft Movie Monster’s Origins Explained
The monster in Underwater is terrifying - and there’s a reason Kristen Stewart’s nightmarish foe looks a bit like Cthulhu.
H. P. Lovecraft’s work contains many problematic elements, but the stories have also stood the test of time as works of horror due to the atmosphere and unique creatures he features.By adding in Cthulu,Underwaterwas able to save itself as it successfully adapted the creature in a way most other films and shows could not, giving itself a distinctive advantage over other films in the genre. Even so, the movie did not find conventional success upon release, and it took three years for it to reach the cult classic status it now enjoys.
Why Underwater Wasn’t More Popular With Audiences & Critics
Underwater’s January Release Hurt Its Numbers
Underwater’sJanuary 2020 premiere date handicapped its theatrical release, but the Cthulu reveal allowed the film to become more popular later.January is historically a bad month for new filmsin any genre, andUnderwatersuffered for it. Film critics also tookUnderwaterto task for its lack of new contributions to the genre, stating onRotten Tomatoeshow the characters and style of the film were not enough to boost the narrative.
Cthulu’s presence essentially savedUnderwater.
The COVID-19 pandemic andUnderwater’s arrival to streaming, though, shifted its public perception, especially after director William Eubank confirmed Cthulu’s presence in the finale. Audiences who had not seen the film during its theatrical run enjoyed its tension and tight cinematography, with the presence of the Lovecraftian monster allowingUnderwaterto become a 2020 sleeper hit.Cthulu’s presence essentially savedUnderwater, with a monstrous twist that’s surprising, satisfying, and intriguing.
Underwater
Cast
After a massive earthquake damages an oceanic research company’s station, the crew must travel across the ocean floor to the safety of another base. The only catch is that the unknown waters are home to dangerous aquatic monsters. Underwater stars Kristen Stewart in the lead role alongside Vincent Cassel, Mamoudou Athie, and TJ Miller.
