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While on a shark-diving trip off the Australian coast, three friends encounter disaster when their boat is capsized by a sudden wave. They find themselves stranded in open water, surrounded by a large number of great white sharks. Facing a terrifying situation, the friends must struggle to survive against the backdrop of the vast and dangerous ocean, battling not only the sharks but also the psychological impact of their predicament.

While on a shark-diving trip off the Australian coast, three friends encounter disaster when their boat is capsized by a sudden wave. They find themselves stranded in open water, surrounded by a large number of great white sharks. Facing a terrifying situation, the friends must struggle to survive against the backdrop of the vast and dangerous ocean, battling not only the sharks but also the psychological impact of their predicament.

Does Open Water have end credit scenes?

No!

Open Water does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Open Water

Explore the complete cast of Open Water, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Open Water

See how Open Water is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Open Water stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

63

Metascore

5.5

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

25%

TOMATOMETER

review

15%

User Score

TMDB

55

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Open Water Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Open Water with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Open Water - Survival Quiz: Test your knowledge on the intense survival story of 'Open Water' based on true events.

What event prompts the friends to celebrate on the boat?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Open Water

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Read the complete plot summary of Open Water, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Opens with an audio recording followed by home video footage capturing a woman joyfully chatting on a scenic beach. It’s evident that she’s surrounded by a close-knit group of friends, all drinking, laughing, and basking in the sunshine at El Matador Beach. The man behind the camera expresses profound camaraderie, stating these individuals are his best friends who will cherish each other forever. As this heartfelt moment fades, a stark message appears on the screen declaring, “Based on true events.”

The narrative transitions to a car ride featuring Amy, James, and their infant daughter. When the baby begins to cry, her parents sweetly sing a lullaby while cruising along the breathtaking coastline. They wave cheerily at a motorcyclist couple who turn out to be their friends, Zach and Laura. The screen showcases a montage of their idyllic Mexican vacation, rich with palm trees and sparkling waters, a visual delight that invites viewers into the warmth of their joy.

It’s revealed that this group consists of long-time high school friends, marking a reunion to celebrate Zach’s birthday. Dan, the group’s charismatic planner, proposes a sailing adventure on his brand-new yacht to honor Zach’s special day. Although a bit apprehensive about venturing onto the water, Amy takes a deep breath and steps onto the dock with her baby in tow. Upon entering the yacht, they inadvertently stumble upon Dan and a woman named Michelle in a rather compromising position, adding a layer of unexpected dynamics to their day.

The scene shifts to a montage of carefree, vibrant sailing activities. Their carefree spirits are contagious as they indulge in fun, drinks, and laughter on the open water under the warm sun. While the captain, Dan (played by Daniel Travis), reveals this is the boat’s inaugural voyage, Amy remains cautious, still strapped into her life jacket. Michelle curiously inquires about Amy’s choice to wear her life vest, to which Amy jestfully attributes her fear of water.

As the sun begins to set and the excitement wanes slightly, Amy and Michelle discuss lifeboats while the gentlemen soak in the sun. Feeling the heat, Laura expresses her desire to take a swim. The fun takes off as Dan distributes snorkeling gear and playful accessories like an inflatable dolphin named Dauphine. Hearing the baby monitor, Amy heads downstairs to care for her child, leaving the others to dive into the enticing blue waters.

An effortless camaraderie unfolds as Amy and Dan share a light-hearted moment, but that tranquility shatters when she reveals her deep-seated fear of the ocean. In a fit of playfulness, Dan seizes the moment to drag Amy both into the water, where she suddenly finds herself panicking, haunted by memories of her father’s tragic drowning. In a shocking twist, they realize the yacht’s ladder hasn’t been lowered, leaving them stranded.

“Help! We can’t get back to the boat!” echoes as desperation sinks in while Michelle complains about her growing fatigue and the chill of the water. What starts as a thrilling afternoon quickly morphs into a nightmare of survival. They attempt to use the inflatable dolphin to reach the yacht but lose the air needed to keep it afloat. Into the foray of tension, voices are raised as blame-theater begins; emotions flare amidst an escalating sense of doom.

Amy’s life jacket offers her a sliver of reprieve, as she is less fatigued compared to her friends. Suddenly, Michelle screams in sheer terror, feeling something brush against her leg. Chaos ensues when they struggle to comprehend the lurking menace beneath the surface. As exhaustion mounts, they begin to worry about the baby, now left alone in the cabin. With time slipping away and the reality of being adrift starts to settle in, they cling to hope, forming a chain of solidarity as they tread water together.

Hours pass under a dimming sun, and the night creeps in, bringing with it a bitter cold. They grow increasingly desperate, using both creativity and plain raw determination. An idea flares in one friend’s mind: fashioning a rope from their clothes to aid their escape. In a heartbreaking turn, with the stakes higher than ever, James meets with tragedy as he dives to retrieve a vital tool, only to suffer a grievous injury.

Emotions spiral as friendships fracture. Old secrets rise to the surface as Dan admits to the group that he had stolen the yacht, revealing his facade of a high-flying life. As despair deepens and sacrifices mount, Laura makes the brave decision to swim back to shore, determined not to linger in dread. While Amy’s panic deepens for her child, they realize desperation can take on many forms.

As the eerie night cloaks them, James succumbs in Amy’s arms, a scene filled with palpable heartbreak. The next day dawns with yet another layer of tragedy when, despite their relentless struggle, they remain lost to the sea. Both Amy and Dan ultimately perish during their harrowing ordeal, leaving only their innocent daughter behind, clinging to the fragile thread of survival. As a fishing boat approaches, the haunting cries of an infant echo, marking both a tragic end and a troubling beginning woven into the fabric of this heart-wrenching tale.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Open Water

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Open Water. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Open Water (2003) Official Trailer #1 - Thriller Movie

Cars Featured in Open Water

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Explore all cars featured in Open Water, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Lexus

2000

RX 300

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


yachttrapped in the seasharksploitationbabychildhood traumavoyeurvoyeurismsex in bedcopulationcoitusfemale removes her clothesfemale frontal nuditybreastsscantily clad femalecleavagecrotch shotwet pantiesblue pantiespantiesunderwater sceneflashbacksurfer girlloss of loved oneloss of friendcrying babycaught having sexbikiniaccidental stabbingfemale nuditydrowningcell phonesharkshot on videonatural horrorcreature featureshark featurechild in jeopardymale anusfriendwaterboatsurvivaloceancruisecerebralsequel by name onlysecond partwill to livesurvivorstruggle for survival

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