To begin with, this film definitely has a very alluring, dark, and eerie, style to it.
However, it suffers from some severe structural issues.
As it jumps back and forth 3 timelines: 1938- the time when a series of grizzly murders occurred on the ship; to recent history- where a struggling family has reunited, in order to investigate the haunted history of the ship, with hopes of monetizing it, by either writing a book, or creating a VR experience, about it...ultimately culminating with an incident around which the plot is based; and modern day, when the parents return to the ship, to solve the mystery, concerning what happened to their son on their previous visit.
Unfortunately, (as others have already noted) it's a bit of a convoluted mess.
The main problem being that the crux of the plot is not explained very clearly.
Meaning that the intuitiveness of the viewer is required to pick up on what is actually going on.
Hints are provided.
But they are somewhat vague, and could easily be missed.
With the supernatural action sequences only adding to the confusion.
And feeling somewhat out of place, when they occur.
Sure...there are definitely some cool parts to the film (particularly in regards to the gore).
However, they try way too hard to prolong the mystery...and the point of it all to become lost in the process.
In short...it just doesn't play well as a whole.
Which is a shame...because the concepts here are great...and there's a load of talent involved.
But the plot structure has no flow to it.
You hope the conclusion is going to tie up the loose ends, and clear up some of this confusion.
However, it only acts to muddle things up even further.
And leave you utterly confounded.
Making you wonder what it was ever about in the first place.
In the end, I did manage to figure it out (after some reflection).
But I could EASILY see what happens eluding most people.
And even if you do manage get what's going on after the twist kicks in...you are left wondering what the purpose of some of the occurrences leading up to that point really were.
As it seems that some scenes were included simply to confuse you (like the one where she drops out of the door, into the ocean, for example).
So it's flabbergasting to think they thought that this was a coherent story in any way shape or form.
Because it's really not.
Which is too bad...cause while there's so much to be admired...it leaves room for desire.
3.5 out of 10.
