Official Synopsis
Woven with references to Greek mythology, The Drowned follows three thieves who have just stolen a priceless painting and arrive at a secluded safe house by the sea, only to discover their fourth accomplice is missing. They must question whether one of them was responsible for her disappearance, or if the blame lies with a more sinister presence lurking in the deep water below.
Review
Writer/director Samuel Clemens’ U.K. chiller The Drowned (formerly titled The Waterhouse during its film festival run) boasts mesmerizing sound design, captivating visuals, and a satisfyingly eerie, enigmatic tone. Thieves Eric (Alan Calton), Matt (Dominic Vulliamy), and Paul (Michelangelo Fortuzzi) have stolen a painting, the profits from which could make them rich.
There’s a problem, though, as Matt’s mother Denice (Corrine Wicks), who helped with the heist, is missing, and when Eric finds blood and an object that could give rise to something going wrong, he keeps the information to himself. The trio is holed up in an isolated house on the beach and suspicion rises among them. Matters become more complicated when three women — Pixie (Lily Catalifo), Opal (Lara Lemon), and Noé (Sandrine Salyères) — turn up seeking help but wind up in a game of Two Truths and a Lie with the men, which leads to flirtation, strong sexual attraction, and eldritch proceedings. Painful sounds, missing time, and supernatural occurrences abound.
Clemens — son of screenwriter Brian Clemens (Hammer’s Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde, episodes of The Avengers TV series, and See No Evil, for just a few examples) and relative of Samuel “Mark Twain” Clemens — crafts an intriguing feature film directing debut rich with brooding, mysterious atmosphere that holds some of its secrets close but also offers tantalizing clues as to what unfolds. The ensemble cast members all give engaging performances, and the interplay between their characters — relationships are not what they seem, and deceptions are plentiful — is wonderfully imagined.
The Drowned releases via Sunrise Films on major digital platforms in North America on 7th October and in Australia and New Zealand on 8th October. Sister company Vertigo Releasing will release digitally on 6th October in the UK and Ireland.
This review was originally for the premiere of The Waterhouse at FrightFest Halloween.
