No Way Up (2024) spoiler free review

The plane crash was just the beginning. No Way Up is a horror thriller film directed by Claudio Fäh, written by Andy Mayson, and produced by Annalise Davis, Will Clarke, Christelle Conan, Peter Touche, Carl Shepherd, and Mike Runagall. It was released on theaters and Video on Demand (VOD) on February 16, 2024.

Trapped underwater when their plane crashes into the ocean, survivors must find a way to escape as sharks start to circle the wreckage.

Film synopsis

The cast includes Sophie McIntosh, Colm Meaney, Phyllis Logan, Manuel Pacific, Will Attenborough, Jeremias Amoore, and Grace Nettle.

My opinion

A journey meant for leisure with friends takes a drastic turn into a fight for survival. Stranded in a sunken plane at the ocean’s depths, the survivors must navigate their escape while evading a menacing threat with razor-sharp teeth prowling the aircraft.

As the story unfolded, it struggles to keep the viewer engaged, with a slow pace that bordered on boring accompanied by a predictable plot. Not helped by the poor CGI that detracted from the overall experience the absence of a true horror or thriller ambiance was noticeable. It seemed that help arrived swiftly for the characters, but it was hardly surprising considering the protagonist was the daughter of the governor. The plot felt predictable, with a weak and flat script that tried too hard. The acting performances were average, failing to evoke a sense of emotional connection between the survivors.

Despite these flaws, there was potential in the film concept that, if it wants to be repeated by another team of filmmakers, improvements must be made. There was a lack of the expected gore that one would anticipate in this type of films. The special effects makeup was average at best, but the surprisingly realistic-looking plane brought a brief touch of authenticity to the scene. Unfortunately No Way Up fails to stand out in the sea of similar films, becoming just another generic killer shark movie.