Open Water 3: Cage Dive – Sharks, Fear, and a Bit of Nostalgia

Okay, lads and lasses, let’s chat about “Open Water 3: Cage Dive”. Remember when you finally faced your primal fears head on? No, I’m not talking about finally calling the dentist. I’m talking about facing the open sea. This flick brings that fear back in a pretty intense way.

The third installment of the “Open Water” series, this time directed by Gerald Rascionato, takes us yet again to human vs. nature territory, but with a twist. Three friends, and not the cool kind you’d see in a Swedish dig for treasure, decide a shark cage dive is a fab way to audition for a reality show. You’ve got Megan Peta Hill, Joel Hogan, and Pete Valley riding the emotional roller coaster as they plunge into chaos. I remember thinking at one point, “blimey, are reality shows driving people nutty now?”

Many moons ago, I found myself in a similar spot, though thankfully not with sharks. I was with my mate Lars on a fishing trip off the coast near Gothenburg. The ocean was calm, like a lake on a warm summer day, until it wasn’t. Suddenly, we were tossed about, not unlike the trio in this shark infested situation. Our boat was small, the waves were like mountains, and for a moment, I thought I might meet a fjord’s cousin up close.

Now, if you’re expecting cinematic giants or explosive special effects, this ain’t the film. But maybe that’s part of its charm? The gritty realism, a bit like eating surströmming for the first time—unexpectedly raw and intense.

My cockamamie feelings on this one are mixed. The suspense packs a punch, but the documentary style gets a bit tiresome, like too much lingonberry at IKEA. If you’re one for a Friday night thrill, Open Water 3 might just give you a good dose of the chills. But maybe watch with a blanket. Or a boat.

Check the trailer below