Cinedigm, Bloody Disgusting, and SCREAMBOX’s found footage nightmare The Outwaters opened in theaters this past weekend and one thing is for certain… it’s divisive.
Robbie Banfitch‘s film follows a foursome who set out to make a music video in the middle of the desert, and while their trip starts out uneventful, their peace is eventually disrupted by unexplained sounds, vibrations, and unnatural animal behavior.
What happens next is a mind-bending trip through terror that is nothing short of disorienting and absolutely frightening.
Critics have been raving (it’s “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes), but general audiences have been split on the chaotic nature of the film. For those who have yet to see it, The Outwaters is maybe the most frantic and abstract horror film ever made. I took my nieces, and while one didn’t like the Blair Witch vibe, the other was shaken right down to her core, curling up into a fetal position for the entire third act. I do not apologize.
The Outwaters isn’t for everyone, but it’s effective, and it’s taking a toll on some horror fans who caught the film in theaters this weekend.
Glenn Rodriguez wrote on Twitter that the film shot his heart rate so high that it set off his Apple Watch heart monitor!
Wow. @TheOutwaters left me stunned to the point that my Apple Watch heart monitor kept going off for high heart rate. This film is a mind trip and downward spiral into hell.
Another big win for Horror.
From one Jersey born filmmaker to another…
Bravo @RobbieBanfitch!!! pic.twitter.com/wDjj36qNBc
— Glenn Rodriguez (@GRodTweets) February 11, 2023
This fan had to the leave the theater to vomit…
I’m still processing #TheOutwaters. I am not sure if it worked for me. The sounding made me so uncomfortably dizzy that I had to leave the theatre to vomit. This never happened to me before. It’s more disturbing than scary if that makes any sense. pic.twitter.com/Hev9X0n0Kp
— leandro calado (@caladoleo) February 11, 2023
Julian Singleton was also extremely affected by the intense nature of the film: “The unending shrill darkness of the second half gave me the worst in-theater anxiety I’ve had in years.”
TW: anxiety, illness
After THE OUTWATERS I sped home to take some meds. The unending shrill darkness of the second half gave me the worst in-theater anxiety I’ve had in years. Don’t want to see this again if I can help it for a few months, if ever.
— Julian Singleton (@gambit1138) February 11, 2023
User @SlimShaedy said that the film was so intense they had to leave the theater. Even though, they still made sure to exclaim, “it was a GREAT MOVIE”!
I am in complete awe.
You are not ready for The Outwaters, it’s an unsanctioned and suffocating nose dive into the darkest depths of hell.
This movie exceeded ALL expectations, a horrifying spectacle, an undeniable triumph in filmmaking. @RobbieBanfitch pic.twitter.com/w94rar0ooS
— Cob 🍬 (@cobtopsawyer) February 11, 2023
THE OUTWATERS is the most frightening film in 30 years.
Go see it. pic.twitter.com/xychRUjlf3
— Daniel Kraus (@DanielDKraus) February 10, 2023