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12 Feet Deep
12 Feet Deep
12 Feet Deep
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12 Feet Deep
Promotional poster
Directed byMatt Eskandari
Written byMatt Eskandari
Michael Hultquist
Produced byMark Myers
StarringAlexandra Park
Nora-Jane Noone
Tobin Bell
Diane Farr
CinematographyByron Werner
Edited byRyan Cooper
Music byTodd Haberman
Distributed byMar Vista Entertainment
Release date
  • June 20, 2017 (2017-06-20)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$6,158[1]

12 Feet Deep (originally titled The Deep End)[2] is a 2017 American psychological horror-thriller film written and directed by Matt Eskandari. It stars Alexandra Park and Nora-Jane Noone as sisters who find themselves trapped inside a public swimming pool when the manager activates the pool cover and leaves for the holidays.[3][4] Released by Mar Vista Entertainment on June 20, 2017,[5][6] it received generally positive reviews.

Plot

[edit]

Bree goes for a swim at the Ketea Aquatic Center and is joined in the Olympic-sized pool by her sister, Jonna, a recovering drug addict who is three months clean. When the pool manager, McGradey, catches the janitor, Clara, who is an ex-convict on parole, attempting to steal from the lost and found, he fires her and tells her to clean up. He then asks the customers to leave as the pool is closing for the holiday. While packing up, Bree notices her engagement ring is missing. Jonna sees the ring, stuck in the metal grille at the bottom of the pool and both dive in to retrieve it. McGradey, unaware the women are in the deep end, engages the fiberglass pool cover and leaves.

Terrified, the siblings attempt to push the pool cover up or break through it, unsuccessfully. They find only one small hole. Jonna confesses she threw the ring into the pool because she is envious of Bree's successful lifestyle and recent engagement. Bree is angry at first, but then opens up about their abusive, alcoholic, drug-addicted father and the fire that led to his death. She reveals she is diabetic and requires insulin or she may fall into a diabetic coma.

Clara, preparing to leave, sees the sisters. She steals Bree's cash, smartphone and credit card and says she will release them if Bree reveals her phone password and credit card PIN. Bree does so, but Clara turns the water heater off and leaves the sisters trapped for the whole night. Next morning, Clara returns to taunt them again. Jonna, angry, leads Clara to place her ear onto the small hole in the pool cover and stabs her in the ear with a shard of tile. In retaliation, Clara turns on the automatic pool cleaning system, causing the girls to begin suffocating in chlorine, but she turns it off again when she realises the possible consequences. She leaves.

Bree reveals to Jonna that during the accident that killed their father, she purposely prevented their father from escaping, calling him a monster as he had been sexually abusing the girls during their adolescence. Meanwhile Clara returns, having realized the error of her ways. She tries to open the pool cover but her passcode no longer works. She tells the sisters they are on their own and leaves again.

Bree grows weak. Jonna succeeds in ripping the metal grill off the bottom of the pool, something Bree had previously tried and failed to do. She smashes the pool cover and they escape. Jonna gives Bree her insulin shot. Clara returns with a gun, threatening to kill the sisters as she does not want to go to prison again. However, she feels sympathetic, puts the gun down, and returns their belongings. Jonna calls the police and Clara awaits her fate, but Jonna tells her to leave and the two exchange smiles. Paramedics arrive and Jonna returns Bree's engagement ring, which Clara had taken. When Bree asks how she got it back, Jonna replies, "We killed the monster", echoing what Bree said about killing their father, and implying that the monster that was inside Clara died when Jonna showed her sympathy and forgiveness.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

12 Feet Deep received generally positive reviews from critics. JoBlo.com called it a "well crafted-entertaining thriller" and gave it 8/10 stars.[7] That Moment In gave it 3.5/5 stars and said it was "well-directed and engrossing... less a shocker than an intense human drama".[8]

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

12 Feet Deep

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
12 Feet Deep is a 2017 American mystery thriller film inspired by true events, directed by and written by Eskandari and Michael Hultquist. The film stars Alexandra Park as Jonna and as Bree, two estranged sisters who become trapped under the fiberglass cover of an Olympic-sized public after closing time, forcing them to confront their past while fighting for survival against the rising water and an opportunistic night janitor. Supporting roles include as the janitor Clara and as the pool manager McGradey. Produced by Citizen Skull Productions and distributed directly to video by , the film runs for 85 minutes and explores themes of family tension and resilience in a confined, high-stakes setting. Filmed in , , 12 Feet Deep was released on video-on-demand and digital platforms in the United States on June 20, 2017. It later received a limited theatrical release in on November 8, 2018, grossing $6,158 at the . Upon release, 12 Feet Deep received mixed to positive audience feedback, earning an 86% approval rating from over 100 users on , who praised its tense atmosphere and strong performances despite a modest budget. On , it holds a 5.2 out of 10 rating from more than 18,000 users, with viewers noting its engaging premise but critiquing some plot conveniences.

Plot and cast

Plot

12 Feet Deep follows two estranged sisters, Bree and Jonna, who decide to spend time together at a public swimming pool. After the facility closes for the night, an unfortunate mishap leaves them trapped beneath the heavy fiberglass cover, submerged in the Olympic-sized pool with no immediate way to escape. This dire situation forces the sisters to rely on their wits and each other as they battle the encroaching cold of the water, potential injuries from their struggle, and the gradual onset of hypothermia. The night janitor, Clara, discovers their predicament and exploits it, adding further danger to their survival efforts. The narrative unfolds in real time over the course of a single harrowing night, heightening the tension through the sisters' desperate survival efforts. The chilling temperature of the pool water and repeated attempts to from above underscore the physical perils they face, while their isolation amplifies the emotional strain. Jonna, portrayed as the more rebellious and impulsive of the two, clashes with Bree's differing approach, revealing layers of unresolved rooted in their shared family history. As the hours pass, the plot delves into the psychological toll of their predicament, with past traumas surfacing amid the growing desperation. The confined underwater setting intensifies the sisters' interactions, building a centered on , attempts, and the raw dynamics of familial bonds under extreme duress.

Cast

The principal cast of 12 Feet Deep features Alexandra Park as Jonna, the younger sister struggling with recovery from addiction and displaying impulsive tendencies, and as Bree, the older, more responsible sister who is recently engaged. The sisters' contrasting personalities fuel the central tension as they confront their predicament together. Supporting roles include as McGradey, the pool manager, and as Clara, the night janitor who discovers the sisters and escalates the danger.
ActorRoleDescription
Alexandra ParkJonnaYounger sister, recovering addict
BreeOlder sister, engaged and responsible
McGradeyPool manager
ClaraNight janitor, antagonistic figure
Casting announcements began in early 2016, with Alexandra Park, known from the TV series The Royals, attached to star on January 11. , who had prior experience in horror films such as , joined shortly after as her co-lead. , renowned for his role in the Saw franchise, was added on January 16 to play the manager.

Production

Development

The script for 12 Feet Deep was co-written by director Matt Eskandari and Michael Hultquist, drawing from Eskandari's personal phobia of large public pools and inability to swim, which fueled the concept of a claustrophobic thriller set in a confined aquatic environment. The project was announced in December 2015 under the working title The Deep End, with principal photography slated to begin the following month in Los Angeles under Citizen Skull Productions. Eskandari envisioned the film as a low-budget, single-location survival story emphasizing psychological tension and character dynamics, inspired by contained thrillers such as Open Water and Hitchcock's Lifeboat. Financing was secured from , positioning the production as a release targeted at genre audiences. Pre-production concluded swiftly ahead of the January 2016 shoot, during which key cast including leads Alexandra Park and were attached. The title was later changed to 12 Feet Deep to better reflect the story's premise.

Filming

Principal photography for 12 Feet Deep took place primarily in , , utilizing indoor pool facilities at a public in the Crenshaw neighborhood to simulate the confined, trapped environment of the story. The production faced significant challenges due to its micro-budget and the demands of filming almost entirely in water, which slowed the pace and introduced logistical hurdles such as water leaking into camera equipment and actors rapidly becoming cold during extended takes. To address actor safety and the physical toll of immersion, the crew employed scuba gear, body doubles for certain underwater sequences, and practical effects, while limiting the number of takes to minimize risks. Innovative techniques, including a controlled visual progression from above-water shots to tighter underwater framing, helped create a claustrophobic atmosphere without relying on handheld cameras, despite the single-location constraints. Shooting occurred over 14 days in 2016, allowing for a rapid turnaround with completed swiftly to meet the film's 2017 release schedule.

Release

Distribution

12 Feet Deep adopted a distribution strategy, premiering exclusively via video-on-demand (VOD) and digital platforms on June 20, 2017, under the distribution of . This approach emphasized accessibility for home viewers rather than a wide theatrical rollout in the United States. A limited international theatrical release followed in on November 8, 2018. Marketing efforts centered on online trailers produced by , which spotlighted the high-concept premise of two estranged sisters trapped beneath a pool cover, positioning the film as a claustrophobic thriller inspired by true events. These promotional materials, released in early June 2017, built anticipation through and genre-specific outlets, while the VOD focus meant the film bypassed traditional screenings. The initial availability targeted summer audiences interested in horror, with the film rolling out on major digital platforms including , Amazon Video, and various cable VOD services. This strategy capitalized on the post-production timeline to deliver timely seasonal content for streaming viewers.

Home media

The home video release of 12 Feet Deep occurred on June 20, 2017, distributed by in the United States, initially through digital platforms with subsequent physical formats including DVD editions often bundled with bonus films such as The Longest Swim and Keepsake. Following its theatrical and VOD debut, the film became available for streaming and digital purchase on various platforms, including for subscription viewing, for free ad-supported access, and rental options on Apple TV, , and ; it was initially offered on but has since rotated off, with no major re-releases or special editions announced as of 2025. Internationally, limited home media editions were issued, such as a Korean DVD version released on June 26, 2019, following the film's theatrical run in South Korea, and a German Blu-ray titled Gefangen im Wasser on February 7, 2019.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, 12 Feet Deep garnered mixed reception from audiences but limited attention from professional critics. On IMDb, it holds a user rating of 5.2 out of 10, based on over 18,000 votes. Rotten Tomatoes reports an audience score of 86% from more than 100 ratings, though no Tomatometer critic score is available due to the scarcity of reviews. Critics who covered the film often praised its claustrophobic tension within the single-location setting and the compelling performances by leads Alexandra Park and , who portray the strained effectively. lauded it as a "well-crafted, entertaining thriller" that builds through psychological elements rather than relying on gore, emphasizing the emotional stakes of the sisters' struggle. Similarly, PopHorror highlighted the film's thrill-ride quality, focusing on the realistic portrayal of desperation and interpersonal conflict over nightmarish horror tropes. Criticisms centered on the story's predictable twists and formulaic survival thriller structure, with some reviewers finding the supporting characters underdeveloped and the overall narrative intense yet ultimately forgettable. noted minor annoyances, such as one character's grating vocal delivery, which occasionally undermined the tension. These elements led to perceptions of the film as engaging in the moment but lacking lasting originality.

Box office

The film earned a worldwide total of $6,158, derived almost entirely from its limited theatrical release in . There was no wide domestic release in the United States, where it premiered directly on (VOD) platforms on June 20, 2017, followed by home media availability. Exact earnings from VOD and home media sales remain unavailable, though as a low-budget independent production, the film's commercial returns were modest and primarily platform-driven rather than theater-based.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5143226/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/12_feet_deep
  3. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/12-Feet-Deep
  4. https://pophorror.com/12-feet-deep-movie-review/
  5. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/12_Feet_Deep
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5143226/plotsummary/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5143226/fullcredits/
  8. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/Bree_%2812_Feet_Deep%29
  9. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/Jonna
  10. https://variety.com/2016/film/news/tobin-bell-thriller-the-deep-end-1201681522/
  11. https://deadline.com/2016/01/alexandra-park-the-royals-deep-end-movie-1201678543/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni59383702/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni61296193/
  14. https://www.screendaily.com/production/citizen-skull-productions-eyes-january-start-on-the-deep-end/5097260.article
  15. https://www.spoilerfreemoviesleuth.com/2017/08/movie-sleuth-exclusives-interview-with.html
  16. https://crypticrock.com/12-feet-deep-movie-review/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5143226/locations/
  18. https://pophorror.com/interview-with-matt-eskandari-director-of-12-feet-deep/
  19. https://dailydead.com/qa-director-matt-eskandari-on-creating-a-claustrophobic-atmosphere-for-the-swimming-pool-thriller-12-feet-deep/
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5143226/releaseinfo/
  21. https://letterboxd.com/film/12-feet-deep/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxL67tUPt7Q
  23. https://bloody-disgusting.com/videos/3439789/12-feet-deep-trailer-will-make-fear-public-pools/
  24. https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/231927/deep-end-retitled-12-feet-deep-new-trailer-vod-release-info/
  25. https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/12-Feet-Deep-Includes-2-Bonus-Movies-DVD/218815/
  26. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/12-feet-deep/2000319237/
  27. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/12-feet-deep
  28. https://www.reelgood.com/movie/12-feet-deep-2017
  29. https://www.yesasia.com/us/12-feet-deep-dvd-korea-version/1074984606-0-0-0-en/info.html
  30. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/12-Feet-Deep-Blu-ray/223106/
  31. https://www.joblo.com/12-feet-deep-trapped-sisters-movie-review-444/
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