Dead Calm from 1989 is a highly entertaining thriller. It offers plenty of tension and scares and thrills without the need for a crazy, maniacal monster. I was lucky enough to catch it on AMC a couple of days ago. I had heard of this movie but had never gotten the chance to see it. And I'm glad I did. I love films like this. You don't need a lot of blood and gore and crazy monsters or zombies to get scared. I think just normal people with mental issues make the best villains. Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman play John and Rae, a married couple who have just been in a tragic car accident that claimed the life of their only son and critically injured Rae. Once she is recovered, John and Rae decide to take a vacation on their new boat. They come across a ship in the middle of the ocean and it's only surviving passenger, Hughie Warner, played by Billy Zane, is swimming towards John and Rae's boat on a lifeboat. John and Rae pull him to safety and after Hughie explains to them what happened, John decides to go check out the ship himself. And leaves his wife Rae alone on the boat with this stranger Hughie. Once John leaves, another side of Hughie is revealed and he kidnaps Rae and steals their boat, leaving John on the other ship to fend for himself.
The movie becomes highly entertaining once Hughie kidnaps Rae. I love the scenes where she thinks Hughie is knocked out or asleep and he appears unexpectedly. I love the scenes where she's trying to get away from him as he's attempting to kill her and there aren't many places to go and hide since they're on a boat! That's one of the main reasons why this movie is so exciting and thrilling. It's taking place on a boat on the middle of the ocean and there's a crazed killer on the loose! On a boat! And jumping off the boat isn't an option because you'll drown, obviously. And you most certainly don't' want to kill yourself! Billy Zane was excellent as the psychotic killer. He has those piercing eyes that make you know that he's capable of doing harm to someone and he showed up just when you think he's done away with. Certainly not a bad performance from one of his early film roles. Nicole Kidman, also in one of her early film roles, was pleasant as Rae, who was willing to do anything for or with Hughie to stay alive and save herself and her beloved husband. She was a true heroine and her character was likable. And Sam Neill is always a brilliant actor as John, who went to great lengths to find his beloved wife and make sure she's alive and well.
Dead Calm had plenty of thrilling moments and it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. There's plenty of tension in between all the characters and fans of the genre will not be disappointed. Certainly an unknown little gem that should be viewed by any thriller fans. I'm glad I was able to see it. Thanks for reading my review!
The movie becomes highly entertaining once Hughie kidnaps Rae. I love the scenes where she thinks Hughie is knocked out or asleep and he appears unexpectedly. I love the scenes where she's trying to get away from him as he's attempting to kill her and there aren't many places to go and hide since they're on a boat! That's one of the main reasons why this movie is so exciting and thrilling. It's taking place on a boat on the middle of the ocean and there's a crazed killer on the loose! On a boat! And jumping off the boat isn't an option because you'll drown, obviously. And you most certainly don't' want to kill yourself! Billy Zane was excellent as the psychotic killer. He has those piercing eyes that make you know that he's capable of doing harm to someone and he showed up just when you think he's done away with. Certainly not a bad performance from one of his early film roles. Nicole Kidman, also in one of her early film roles, was pleasant as Rae, who was willing to do anything for or with Hughie to stay alive and save herself and her beloved husband. She was a true heroine and her character was likable. And Sam Neill is always a brilliant actor as John, who went to great lengths to find his beloved wife and make sure she's alive and well.
Dead Calm had plenty of thrilling moments and it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. There's plenty of tension in between all the characters and fans of the genre will not be disappointed. Certainly an unknown little gem that should be viewed by any thriller fans. I'm glad I was able to see it. Thanks for reading my review!