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New Movies: The Girl in the Pool (2024) by Dakota Gorman: A Birthday Party Gone Wrong

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • 1 day ago
  • 8 min read

The movie centers on Thomas, a seemingly well-to-do family man whose perfect life unravels on his birthday when he discovers his mistress dead in his swimming pool, moments before his family throws him a surprise party in the same backyard.

Detailed Summary

"The Girl in the Pool" plunges viewers into a tense, one-location thriller set during a single chaotic night. Thomas (Freddie Prinze Jr.), a man seemingly living an ideal life with a good job, a beautiful house, and a loving family, is secretly having an affair. On the day of his surprise birthday party, his carefully constructed world shatters when he discovers the lifeless body of his mistress floating in his swimming pool. Terrified of the repercussions and desperate to protect his family and his reputation, Thomas frantically conceals the corpse. However, his efforts are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of guests for his unexpected birthday celebration. As the party unfolds around him, Thomas is forced to maintain a facade of normalcy while battling increasing paranoia, suspicion, and the looming threat of his dark secret being exposed. The film explores themes of adultery, deception, and the unraveling of a seemingly perfect life, with Thomas scrambling to understand who might be behind the murder while avoiding detection.

Plot Summary

  • A Fatal Discovery: On his birthday, Thomas (Freddie Prinze Jr.) finds his mistress dead in his swimming pool.

  • The Cover-Up: Panicked, he quickly hides the body, desperate to protect his family and his reputation.

  • Surprise Party Chaos: Moments after hiding the corpse, his family and friends arrive for a surprise birthday party in the very backyard where the body is concealed.

  • Maintaining a Facade: Thomas must navigate the party, engaging with guests, while simultaneously battling extreme paranoia and trying to unravel the mystery of who killed his mistress.

  • Interrogations and Suspicions: He attempts to subtly question partygoers to glean information, while also dealing with his suspicious father-in-law (Kevin Pollak) and other family dynamics.

  • Unraveling Secrets: As the night progresses, Thomas discovers that he might not be the only one with secrets, and the truth behind the murder becomes more complex.

Director's Vision

Dakota Gorman, in directing "The Girl in the Pool," aimed for a suspenseful drama with elements of dark comedy. The film's premise, likened to Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" by some critics due to its single-location, real-time-ish thriller setup, suggests a vision focused on psychological tension and the unraveling of a character under immense pressure. Gorman attempts to create a scenario of escalating farce and paranoia, pushing Freddie Prinze Jr.'s character into an increasingly frantic state. Reviews suggest an ambition to balance dark humor with genuine suspense, though some critics felt the tone was "muddled" or that the humor didn't always land as intended.

Themes

  • Deception and Secrecy: The film is built upon Thomas's elaborate deception to hide the murder and his affair, exploring the consequences of living a double life.

  • Guilt and Paranoia: Thomas's mental state rapidly deteriorates due to the overwhelming guilt and paranoia of being discovered, driving much of the film's tension.

  • The Illusion of Perfection: The "perfect life" Thomas presents to his family and friends is meticulously deconstructed, revealing the fragility and hypocrisy beneath the surface.

  • Mid-Life Crisis: The character of Thomas is often described as undergoing a mid-life crisis, with his affair and desperate actions serving as symptoms of his discontent.

  • Consequences of Adultery: The central crime stems directly from an adulterous affair, highlighting the destructive ripple effects of infidelity.

  • Trust and Betrayal: The film explores the shattering of trust within relationships, both marital and otherwise, and the profound sense of betrayal felt by those involved.

Key Success Factors

"The Girl in the Pool" relies on a few key factors for its impact, though its critical reception has been mixed.

  • High-Concept Premise: The core idea of hiding a body during a surprise party in the same location is inherently intriguing and creates immediate dramatic tension.

  • Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Return: The casting of Freddie Prinze Jr. in a more mature, dramatic thriller role, alongside Monica Potter and Kevin Pollak, drew attention and leveraged nostalgia for his career.

  • Confined Setting: The single-location setting helps build claustrophobic tension and forces characters into close proximity, heightening the stakes.

  • Dark Comedy Elements: While debated by critics, the attempt to infuse dark humor into a grim situation provides a unique tonal approach for a thriller.

Awards and Nominations

As of the current date, "The Girl in the Pool" has not received any major awards or nominations.

Critics Reception

Critics' reception for "The Girl in the Pool" has been largely mixed to negative, with common criticisms revolving around the script and direction, despite a generally positive view of the cast.

  • IMDb User Reviews: User ratings average 4.3/10, with many calling it "horrible," "disappointing," and citing a "ridiculous plot" and "poor direction." Some found it "enjoyable suspense" or "entertaining fun" for the average viewer, suggesting it shouldn't be taken too seriously.

  • The Hollywood News (Kat Hughes): Found the film "murky, but still entertaining." While praising Freddie Prinze Jr.'s performance for keeping the film "on track" despite ludicrous elements, she noted the "excess of flab to the narrative" and too many "conflicting dramas," leading to a muddled tone.

  • The Wee Review (Scotland): Called it a "mediocre affair" that gets "caught in a no man's land between escalating farce and Thomas's increasingly frazzled spiral." While acknowledging Prinze Jr.'s "amusing moments of panic," the review felt the execution "lacking" and that the tension chipped away rather than ratcheted up.

  • Overall Summary: Critics generally acknowledged the intriguing premise and appreciated the efforts of the lead cast, particularly Freddie Prinze Jr., in delivering committed performances. However, significant shortcomings were identified in the script's cohesiveness, the direction's ability to balance tone, and the overall execution of the suspense. Many felt it failed to fully capitalize on its high-concept idea.

Reviews

Reviews often highlight the film's "Lifetime Movie-like" quality, implying a certain level of melodramatic suspense, though not always in a positive light.

  • User Reviews (IMDb): Some viewers who enjoyed it called it a "comedy / drama / thriller / cat and mouse... all in one," suggesting its multi-genre approach was entertaining, if not critically perfect. Negative reviews frequently lambasted the "awful acting," "bad dialogue," and "jagged storyline," with some questioning the logical inconsistencies in the plot.

  • Comparison to "The Coffee Table": Critics drew parallels to "The Coffee Table" (2022), another single-location dark comedy/drama involving hiding a tragic event during a social gathering. "The Girl in the Pool" was often found to be less refined and impactful in its comedic and dramatic execution.

  • Overall Summary: The film seems to have divided audiences, with some finding it a watchable, if flawed, suspense film, while others were highly critical of its execution and plot holes. The common thread is the focus on Freddie Prinze Jr.'s performance as the central, panicked figure.

Production Summary

"The Girl in the Pool" began production with principal photography wrapping by February 2024. The film was directed by Dakota Gorman and written by Jackson Reid Williams. It is a single-location movie, primarily filmed within a house and its backyard. The production brought together actors Freddie Prinze Jr. and Monica Potter, who previously co-starred in "Head Over Heels" (2001).

Production Companies

  • BondIt Media Capital (United States)

  • ETA Films (United States)

  • Elevate Media Partners (United States)

  • GMT Films (United States)

Sales Companies

  • Blacktop International (United States)

Distribution Companies

  • Quiver Distribution (United States)

  • Signature Entertainment (UK - for UK/Ireland distribution)

  • Available on various VOD platforms (e.g., Apple TV, Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount+, Roku Channel, Fandango at Home, Hoopla Digital, DIRECTV, Spectrum On Demand).

Theatrical Release

The film had a limited theatrical release in the United States starting around July 26, 2024, concurrent with its video-on-demand debut. It was also released in the Netherlands on October 28, 2024.

Why to recommend this movie

  • Intriguing Premise: The high-stakes scenario of hiding a body during a surprise party is inherently captivating for thriller fans.

  • Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Performance: Fans of the actor may appreciate his return to a more dramatic role and his portrayal of a man unraveling under pressure.

  • Quick and Contained Thriller: For viewers seeking a self-contained, ninety-minute mystery/suspense film without complex subplots that extend beyond a single location.

  • Dark Comedy Elements: Those who enjoy thrillers with a hint of dark humor might find some amusing moments in Thomas's increasingly desperate attempts to cover his tracks.

Why to Watch Movie

  • If You Enjoy "What If" Scenarios: It's a classic "what if" setup that explores how far someone would go to maintain their perfect life.

  • For a Single-Location Thriller: If you appreciate films that make effective use of a confined setting to build tension and focus on character reactions.

  • Curiosity About the Cast Reunion: To see Freddie Prinze Jr. and Monica Potter reunite on screen after many years.

  • A "Guilty Pleasure" Watch: For viewers who enjoy suspenseful dramas that might lean into the melodramatic or have an engagingly absurd premise, often associated with TV movie thrillers.

What Movie Trend film is following

The film is following the trend of "Contained Thrillers with a Darkly Comedic Edge." This trend focuses on high-stakes scenarios occurring within a single or very limited location, often over a short period, and frequently incorporates elements of black humor to underscore the absurdity or horror of the situation. "The Girl in the Pool" fits this mold by confining the escalating crisis to a backyard birthday party.

What Big Social Trend is following

The film is following the trend of "The Deconstruction of the 'Perfect' Life (and the Mid-Life Crisis)." This social trend reflects a societal fascination with the hidden imperfections behind seemingly idyllic lives, often fueled by social media's curated realities. The film taps into the anxieties of maintaining appearances, the consequences of infidelity, and the emotional turmoil of a mid-life crisis, which are relatable themes in contemporary society where personal and professional pressures can lead to desperate measures.

Final Verdict

"The Girl in the Pool" is a high-concept mystery thriller that, while ambitious in its blend of suspense and dark comedy, struggles with execution according to many critics. Its engaging premise and Freddie Prinze Jr.'s committed performance are notable, but it is hampered by a muddled tone, a meandering script, and plot inconsistencies that detract from its overall impact. It serves as a decent, albeit flawed, one-off watch for those seeking a contained, character-driven suspense film, particularly if they enjoy the "Lifetime movie" aesthetic.

Recommendations for film makers

  • Clarify Tonal Intent: When blending genres like suspense and dark comedy, filmmakers should ensure the tone is consistently managed to avoid confusing or alienating the audience.

  • Strengthen Script and Pacing: A compelling premise needs a tightly constructed script that maintains tension, avoids unnecessary subplots, and ensures logical consistency, especially in a single-location thriller.

  • Maximize Confined Settings: When using a limited location, filmmakers should creatively leverage the space to build escalating tension and explore character psychology, rather than letting the setting feel restrictive.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

  • Support High-Concept Independent Films: Continue to greenlight projects with intriguing, high-concept premises, as they can attract audiences even on smaller budgets.

  • Value Actor Comebacks: Recognize the appeal of established actors returning to the screen in new or challenging roles, as it can generate significant interest.

  • Recognize Digital Distribution's Role: Acknowledge the increasing importance of VOD and streaming platforms as primary release avenues for independent thrillers, and tailor marketing strategies accordingly.

Final Conclusions

"The Girl in the Pool" is a suspenseful drama that attempts to fuse the tension of a murder mystery with the absurdity of a social gathering gone terribly wrong. While it benefits from an intriguing premise and the return of Freddie Prinze Jr. to a leading role, the film ultimately delivers a mixed experience for viewers. Its struggles with narrative coherence and tonal consistency suggest that while the concept was strong, the execution left something to be desired for many critics. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy a contained thriller with a unique central predicament, it offers a ninety-minute diversion into a birthday party that turns into a living nightmare.



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