Some people need a movie to have a multimillion-dollar budget and big-name stars in order for them to enjoy it. And I get that. I dig going down to the megaplex for the latest studio flick as much as the next guy. You know what though? I also like movies that were made with a buck fifty, some duct tape, and a shitload of determination and creativity. Producer/writer/director Madeline Deering’s Bathtub Shark Attack falls under the latter category.
After a silly meta opening, we get a pleasingly bloody prolog that introduces the wacky but straightforward premise of the piece. It seems that there’s a malevolent supernatural shark that uses bathtub or sink drains to gain access to victims for it to devour and mutilate. If you’re wondering how a shark might fit in a drainpipe, then this might not be the movie for you. Anyhow, we soon meet our leads, Chad (Ben Dietels) and Cindy (Ruby Craft), an argumentative couple looking for an apartment. When they stumble upon a flyer at a dive bar for a flat with a seemingly too-good-to-be-true price, they skip out on their tab and immediately head to the location.
Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the building’s owner, Selena (genre legend Lynn Lowry). Chad isn’t completely sold on the place, despite the unbelievable price, but Cindy insists. Not long after they move in, Selena’s daughter Jessica (Carly Sonafelt) drops by and introduces herself. The ever-distrustful Chad senses something off about the friendly woman, but virginal Cindy takes an immediate liking to their new neighbor. Meanwhile, the sadistic sea creature lurking in the building’s plumbing steps up the frequency of its attacks. Eventually, the plot erupts into bizarrely unexpected territory and hurtles toward a gruesome denouement that would be disturbing as hell if it wasn’t so damn entertaining.
Deering’s script is clever with how it initially presents its silly but straightforward premise while concealing where the plot will eventually go. It’s also filled to the brim with memorable characters. Gross-out humor abounds, with my favorite sequence hilariously showcasing a man drenching everything in a bathroom with an uncontrollable piss. Deering doesn’t expect us to take the story seriously and just wants us to have fun. Even though there are plenty of grisly deaths, you can feel the glee of the filmmaker lurking behind it all.
Bathtub Shark Attack’s performances are more than solid for this type of flick. Lowry, of course, puts in the most polished and naturalistic work, but she just has a handful of scenes. Chad and Cindy aren’t particularly likable characters, but Dietels and Craft hold our attention and keep us interested. Sonafelt has the most difficult arc to play and nails it. The rest of the relatively sizable cast is at the very least enthusiastic.
The effects work (which is all practical with not a whiff of CGI in sight) is not what you’d call convincing, but it’s still a blast. We get a couple of beheadings and numerous gouges and puncture wounds. The sequence that punctuates the film’s closing moments is revolting but absolutely glorious. Creature effects are, again, not realistic, but so much fun. I was honestly impressed with the amount of creature work that dominates the last twenty minutes or so. I also liked that no effort is made to conceal the monster in shadows or with quick editing.
Deering’s NekroShark Films partner Joseph Russio shot and edited the film. He leans into the lo-fi aesthetic by shooting on video. This approach effortlessly gifts the proceedings a grimy, lurid look. The sets are maybe the most realistic aspect of the movie. They all have a quirky lived-in quality that I absolutely loved. I’m guessing most of the apartments belong to cast or crew members, but that’s what makes them devoid of any artificiality. It allows for some immersion, which balances out some of the more outrageous elements. To contrast with that, the production design makes some effort to obscure the timeframe of the story. There’s a rotary phone but there’s also a videogame console, for instance.
Russio’s editing is nicely done. I appreciated how he used some funny fake TV ads to make some transitions. Russio finds some rhythm with his pacing, with the final act accelerating to maximize some dark humor and thrills. Composer Matt Cannon’s synth score is the icing on the cake. I thoroughly enjoyed the eerie retro soundscape he cultivates.
Look, Bathtub Shark Attack isn’t the work of slick Hollywood professionals or even well-funded independent artists. I’m guessing the budget was less than $10,000 and to say it’s rough around the edges is being generous. That being said, I had a ball with the film and you can tell everyone involved was enjoying themselves. From the moment actress Jennifer DiBlasio disrobed for a violent and ridiculous shark attack in her bathtub, I was in for the ride. By the time the insane final act arrived, I knew I would be a fan of Madeline Deering and her compatriots, going forward. Bathtub Shark Attack has a 95-minute runtime and is eyeing an April release on disc. Recommended for fans of The Deadly Spawn, the Fuck the Devil films, and Final Flesh.
Michael Cavender