Diving into “The Reef” – A Swedish Take on Aussie Horror

Let’s be honest, I didn’t expect much when I sat down with a cup of kaffe for “The Reef.” I mean, the whole thing about bloodthirsty sharks – it’s been kinda done before. But hey, who doesn’t love a little saltwater trepidation with their Wednesday night?

So this flick is directed by Andrew Traucki, a bloke who’s no stranger to nailing that “natural horror” vibe. Much like when I tried surströmming for the first time – you gotta experience it to really get what all the fuss is about. There’s this raw edge to his storytelling. Anyway, the cast… Zoe Naylor, I reckon! She’s got this authentic vibe. You really feel she’s got more grit than a well-traveled E4. But the star here is the ocean, a massive, moody character itself that keeps you on a knife’s edge – reminds me of those Swedish autumn seas, endless and unpredictable.

Speaking of water, I was nine when I first went out on our family’s little träbåt, driftin’ around on Lake Vättern. Dad thought it’d be fun to tell shark tales. In hindsight, bad idea. I still remember feeling like a snack over a fancy dinner plate. This film, while about a thousand oceans away, hooks into that childhood fear. It’s the hoppa-lotta guesswork about what lurks below.

And yet, I can’t help but feel it lacks a bit somewhere – maybe it’s too neat? It’s like IKEA furniture: functional, sure, but misses the soul of something hand-carved. Maybe it’s just me wanting a tad more depth to the characters.

But hey, if you’re game for some edge-of-the-seat stress and a reminder of why staying dry land is lovely, give it a shot. Just keep your fötter out of shark-infested dreams!

Check the trailer below