The Requin (2022) Review: Sharks, Storms, and Strained Drama

In this episode of Mindset Movie Reviews, I take a closer look at The Requin (2022). Directed by Le-Van Kiet, starring Alicia Silverstone, James Tupper, Deirdre O'Connell, Danny Chung, and Jennifer Mudge. ⭐ Rating: 1.5/5 🏆 IMDb: 2.6/10 🎬 Genre: Horror and Thriller ⏱ Runtime: 89 minutes 📅 Release Year: 2022 🎥 Watch the full video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101tEUTpEhU Follow the podcast for more honest movie reviews — no fluff, no hype.

Transcript

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Today's movie review is for The Requin from 2022. The Requin, directed and written by Levan Kitt, is a horror thriller that attempts to blend the tension of a shark attack with the emotional weight of a couple's personal tragedy. The film stars Alicia Silverstone as Jalen and James Tupper as her husband, Kyle, who embark on a vacation to Vietnam to heal from a recent miscarriage. However, their getaway turns into a nightmare when a tropical storm sweeps their villa out to sea, leaving them stranded and vulnerable to the lurking dangers below. The movie's premise holds promise, but it falters in execution. The film's pacing is a significant issue, with the first hour dedicated to the couple's strained relationship and personal grief leaving viewers waiting for the promised shark action. This delay in delivering the main attraction is a common critique among reviewers who note that the sharks do not make a significant appearance until well past the halfway mark of the film's 89 minute runtime. Alicia Silverstone's performance as Jalen is a focal point, with her characters escalating panic and emotional turmoil taking center stage. While Silverstone's commitment to the role is evident, the scripts lack luster dialogue and repetitive scenes of marital discord detract from her efforts. The film's dialogue often feels forced and unnatural, with lines that fail to resonate or add depth to the character's plight. Visually, the Requin struggles with its use of CGI and green screen effects, which are frequently described as subpar and distracting. The film's budget constraints are apparent, with many scenes appearing to be shot on a soundstage rather than on location, diminishing the sense of realism and immersion. The CGI sharks, a crucial element of the film, lack the menacing presence needed to instill fear, further undermining the film's tension. The film's title The Raquin, which translates to shark in French, is another point of contention. The choice of title seems disconnected from the film's content, as the sharks play a secondary role to the couple's interpersonal drama. This misalignment between title and narrative contributes to the film's identity crisis, leaving audiences unsure of what to expect. Despite its shortcomings, the Requin does offer moments of intrigue, particularly in its later scenes involving a Vietnamese fisherman and the eventual shark encounters. However, these moments are overshadowed by the film's overall lack of cohesion and suspense. In summary, The Requin is a film that struggles to find its footing, caught between the genres of horror and drama without fully committing to either. While Alicia Silverstone's performance is a highlight, it is not enough to salvage a film burdened by weak dialogue, poor visual effects, and a meandering plot. For those seeking a thrilling shark movie, The Requin may leave much to be desired, and that's my take on The Requin, and I'm giving it one and a half stars out of a maximum of five stars. Thank you for listening. If you've liked this content, please like, subscribe, and it will be great to see you next time.