The Shallows (2016)

Hoffman calls the film a minor masterpiece and praises its clever construction. He singles out the arresting cinematography and the film’s escalating, suspenseful survival scenario.

Sexton calls the film possibly the best shark movie yet and praises it as perfect summer entertainment. He singles out Blake Lively’s performance and the film’s pace and propulsion.

Ehrlich praises the film as an exceptionally effective shark thriller, calling it the best since Jaws. He especially singles out Blake Lively’s performance and the stranded seagull as a delightful supporting character.

Nayman finds the film entertaining but ultimately disappointing, wishing it were better. He praises the ocean setting and Collet-Serra’s visual transformation of paradise into purgatory.

Chang finds the film a satisfying, unpretentious summer thriller. He especially praises Blake Lively’s committed performance and the director’s skill at sustaining suspense.

The critic calls it an enjoyably trashy, entertaining summer film. The page singles out Blake Lively as well suited to the shark-survival story.

The critic finds it an effective, tightly focused survival thriller. The film’s lean construction and striking ocean setting stand out.

The critic finds the survival thriller crackling and entertaining, though its ending disappoints. They single out Collet-Serra’s visual acrobatics and inventive camera work for praise.

The critic calls it an energetic, entertaining survival thriller, though its plotting and climax weaken the payoff. Blake Lively’s performance is singled out as an excellent anchor for the largely one-woman show.

The review finds the thriller fitfully entertaining but ultimately shallow and hamstrung by its gimmicks. It praises the occasional suspense in Nancy’s improvised attempts to escape, while faulting the screenplay for needless backstory and themes.

Jones regards the film as a cleverly constructed B-movie that adds effective scares rather than merely copying Jaws. He praises the director’s tense staging and the striking cinematography.

Grierson finds the thriller tense and diverting, but ultimately too cheesy and predictable to rise above its familiar survival story. He praises the uncluttered suspense while faulting the forced emotional backstory and shoddy effects.

Debruge finds the film an intermittently exciting but shallow thriller, with logic that falters in its final stretch. He praises its most startling shark-attack image, while criticizing the suspense, editing, and overly commercial look.

The critic finds the film dramatically thin and lacking a distinctive perspective. They fault its failure to develop Nancy’s inner life and say Blake Lively’s dramatic potential goes unused.

McCarthy pans the film as an inept, unconvincing shark thriller that fails to build suspense. He sympathizes with Blake Lively’s demanding performance but criticizes the film’s erratic style and muddled climax.

The critic calls The Shallows a refreshing, highly entertaining summer film despite some flaws. They praise Jaume Collet-Serra’s effective tension-building and Blake Lively’s leading performance, while faulting the overlong backstory about Nancy’s mother.

Formo finds the film enjoyable and sharply crafted, though its predictable tension and saccharine closure keep it from greatness. He especially praises the precise staging of isolated peril and Blake Lively’s performance.

The critic finds the film preposterous but enjoyable, an effective and brisk B-movie thriller. They single out Blake Lively’s magnetic, dryly funny performance as central to its success.

The critic calls the film a skillful, suspenseful summertime diversion rather than a lasting classic. They praise Blake Lively’s convincing portrayal of panic and perseverance.

The review finds the film an inventive but uneven take on the shark-attack genre, held back by contrivances. It praises the cinematography for making the water and the lurking shark especially effective.

The review finds the thriller entertaining but overly reliant on Jaws and thin on plot. It praises the unsettling shark attacks, strong cinematography, and Blake Lively’s engaging performance.

Hammond finds the film repetitive and says it falls far short of Jaws as a thriller. He praises Blake Lively’s commitment and the shark’s credibility, while giving an affectionate nod to the seagull and rock.