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Thriller

The Dive (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Dive (2023) movie poster

The Dive is a 2023 thriller directed by Maximilian Erlenwein, starring Louisa Krause as May and Sophie Lowe. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
65%
worldwide gross
$1.5M
Echo Score
52
The Dive (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Dive About?

The premise of The Dive without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

While diving in the Pacific, two sisters face a terrifying ordeal when a landslide traps May deep underwater. Twenty-eight meters below the surface, May struggles to breathe as her oxygen dwindles. Her sister, Drew, must overcome her own fears and fight against the unforgiving environment to rescue her. Stranded in a vast, dark expanse with rapidly decreasing oxygen, Drew confronts her mortality and faces a desperate race against time for survival.

The Dive Themes & Keywords

· 38 tags
  • singing in a car
  • scuba diving
  • remake
  • survival thriller
  • sister sister relationship
  • two word title
  • singing along to music on a car radio
  • singing under water
  • holding someone under water
  • flashback
  • dead father
  • hammer
+26 more
  • breaking a car window
  • pushing a car down a ravine
  • oxygen poisoning
  • underwater scene
  • diving accident
  • underwater
  • falling rock
  • cave diving
  • pinned under fallen rock
  • survival adventure
  • air tank
  • panic
  • running out of air
  • free diving
  • rockfall
  • dive mask
  • breaking and entering
  • pushing a car over a cliff
  • childhood memory
  • nitrogen narcosis
  • hallucination
  • father daughter relationship
  • air pocket
  • live action
  • co written by director
  • younger version of self
Cast & crew

The Dive Cast & Characters

Louisa Krause leads the cast as May, with Sophie Lowe as Drew. Directed by Maximilian Erlenwein.

Ratings

The Dive Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Dive 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

52 /100

The Dive Echo Score Breakdown

The Dive delivers a competent visual experience but struggles to sustain narrative momentum and emotional investment. Critics acknowledge the director's agile handling of underwater cinematography, yet many point to a formulaic plot that feels routine and under‑powered. User feedback mirrors this split, praising the claustrophobic atmosphere while criticizing shallow character dynamics and uneven pacing. The result is a film that offers occasional tension but fails to leave a lasting impression, situating it firmly in the middle of the critical spectrum.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from energetic direction and striking underwater cinematography. Critics highlight the realistic visual palette and tight editing that convey claustrophobia effectively. Users also note the excellent photography and immersive set design. However, some reviewers find the overall intensity lacking, describing the visual approach as routine at times. The combined view suggests solid technical execution with occasional lapses, resulting in a respectable but not outstanding craft rating.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When evaluating character and emotion, the consensus is largely negative. Critics describe the interactions between the two leads as stilted and lacking genuine tension. User comments echo this sentiment, citing weak chemistry, flat dialogue, and insufficient backstory to foster empathy. Several reviewers mention that the sisters' relationship feels unconvincing, and the performances fail to anchor the film’s stakes. The pervasive criticism of shallow character work drives the low score in this category.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow receive mixed feedback, with a tilt toward mediocrity. Critics note a formulaic survival premise that feels routine and an ending that loses urgency. Some praise the logical structure and credible premise, yet many point out uneven pacing, over‑reliance on flashbacks, and a lack of originality. Users similarly report a plot that drags and fails to sustain suspense throughout. The overall impression is a competent but uninspired narrative that struggles to maintain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory experience stands out as a relative strength. Reviewers commend the immersive underwater soundscape, the vivid blue palette, and the claustrophobic visual style that heighten tension. Both critics and users highlight the effective use of cinematography to convey danger and isolation. Although some find the sensory elements insufficient to compensate for other flaws, the consensus points to a well‑executed audio‑visual component that enriches the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch factor is generally low, reflecting the film’s limited lasting appeal. Critics describe it as routine and not memorable enough to merit multiple viewings. User opinions align, noting that the movie may serve as background noise once but lacks the depth or novelty to encourage repeat engagement. A few niche fans of underwater thrillers express mild interest, yet the prevailing sentiment suggests the film’s replay value is modest at best.

Plot

The Dive Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Dive from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Two sisters, May Louisa Krause and Drew Sophie Lowe, drive to a breathtaking view of the endless ocean, where their car ride unfolds with awkward small talk. Drew shows a genuine curiosity about her elder sister, while May remains quiet and distant, even when Drew nudges her to sing along to “Only You” by The Platters for a touch of nostalgia. It’s clear that Drew has been staying with their mother, and a rift seems to thread through their family history, leaving May feeling distant and withdrawn.

Full summary

The whole story of The Dive, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Dive Box Office

The Dive grossed $1.5 million worldwide. $5,914 came from the US and Canada and $1.5 million (100%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

US & Canada
$5.9K
International
$1.5M
US & Canada 0% Rest of the world 100%
Videos

The Dive Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser Take the plunge August 25th [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Dive?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the younger sister in the film?

Details

The Dive Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “À bout de souffle” and “Sin Aire”.

Also known as
  • À bout de souffle
  • Sin Aire
  • הצלילה
  • Занурення
  • 다이브: 100 피트 추락
  • Gilyn
  • Подводный капкан
  • Sem Ar
  • Ponor
  • צלילה מסוכנת
  • 潜水
  • Ölümcül Dalış
+6 more
  • Ostatnie tchnienie
  • Scufundarea
  • La inmersión
  • Гмуркането
  • 潛水驚魂
  • DIVE/ダイブ 海底28メートルの絶望

Seen The Dive?

FAQ

The Dive FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Dive, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Dive?

The Dive runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was The Dive released?

The Dive was released on August 25, 2023.

Who directed The Dive?

The Dive was directed by Maximilian Erlenwein.

More films by Maximilian Erlenwein

Who is in the cast of The Dive?

The Dive stars Louisa Krause as May and Sophie Lowe as Drew.

How much did The Dive make at the box office?

The Dive grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($5,914 domestic, $1.5 million international).

How is The Dive rated?

The Dive has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does The Dive have a post-credit scene?

No. The Dive has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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