Underwater tanked at the box office but, thanks to the larger following it has gained since its release, the aquatic horror movie has turned into something of a sleeper hit. Movies gaining recognition after a disappointing box office performance is a common, yet unexplained phenomenon in the cinematic world. Let's take a look at how Underwater got there.
The movie follows a team of researchers and engineers working at a drilling site at the bottom of the ocean floor. When they accidentally drill too deep, their station is destroyed and the team unknowingly awakens a mysterious and deadly creature. Their only shot at survival is to walk along the ocean floor to a neighboring station and dodge the creature intent on killing them.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what has led to Underwater gaining a larger fanbase after its January 2020 release. Whether it is the lack of new content for audiences while they quarantine during the Coronavirus pandemic, or simply the fact that Underwater was a victim of the historically poor-performing month of January, something about the film has started to resonate with audiences. Here's a look at what led to Underwater's new status as a sleeper hit.
Why Underwater Gained A Fan Base Months After Its Release
Cult classic movies typically take years after their release to gain a following — Underwater found a new following in a matter of months. Underwater will likely never reach cult classic status, as movies in that category often tend to fall under the label of "so bad, they're good". Still, there's something to be said for Underwater going from a film that is generally panned by critics to one considered to be fun and capable of luring audiences in for a second viewing later down the road. It will never be totally clear why the mood shifted, but the Coronavirus pandemic likely played a part in that.
During its theatrical run, Underwater was a victim of circumstances beyond its control. With a January release, its fate was sealed before it even hit theaters. The first month of the year is historically a slow time at the movies. Critics and audiences are coming off the high of the prestigious Christmas releases, so a January release needs to be outstanding to catch their attention. Underwater is a fine movie, but it is by no means outstanding. In an unexpected turn of events, the Coronavirus pandemic helped to give the movie a second chance. Also, fans of H.P. Lovecraft were drawn to the movie after the director announced that the mysterious sea monster was, in fact, Cthulhu. This undoubtedly added to its initial appeal, as a well-known monster often trumps an original creation because there's a built-in fanbase.
With audiences around the world quarantined in the spring of 2020, they were desperate for new content to watch from the safety and comfort of their own homes. Underwater became available for at-home rental during this time period. Even if it wasn't the best thing available, it was something new. Despite those initial negative reviews, there are fun elements to the film. Underwater builds solid tension through a cat-and-mouse game with the crew and the Lovecraftian monster and the film is littered with some impressive shots. It was enough to bring Underwater the fans that it never had before.