12 Feet Deep

In the gripping thriller, 12 Feet Deep, sisters Mia and Shari embark on a fateful summer evening, unaware that their lives are about to take a drastic turn. Shari and Mia, portrayed by Molly Ranson and Claire Holt respectively, are two young sisters who, like many teenagers, are desperate to assert their independence and seek excitement. They sneak past the closed sign at the local pool, determined to spend the night exploring its depths. Their plan goes awry when Shari slips on a slippery surface and falls through an open drain cover that lies hidden beneath the smooth, fiberglass surface of the Olympic-sized pool. She becomes trapped beneath the massive lid, suspended three feet above the icy-cold pool waters by her head and one foot. Shari frantically signals for assistance but her cries for help go unanswered as her sister, Mia, rushes back to alert their friends and the lifeguards. The lifeguard, a character who initially seems careless and apathetic, quickly proves to be more proactive as the events at the pool unfold. While he attempts to assist Shari, he is thwarted by the unavailability of the machinery required to lift the pool cover, which has been taken away overnight by the pool's maintenance crew. As night begins to fall, Mia, who had gone in search of help, learns that the equipment cannot be returned until the following day. The sisters realize that they are stranded, with Shari stuck under the fiberglass lid and Mia struggling to keep her cool, trapped by the same unforgiving circumstances. The sisters' predicament worsens as night sets in and the temperature drops, and they are forced to face their fears, as well as each other. Their relationship, once strong, begins to fray due to Shari's growing desperation to escape and her anger towards Mia for not returning sooner. As time ticks by agonizingly slowly, the sisters' bond starts to fray – a bond forged from years of living with their eccentric, free-spirited mother – which leaves them emotionally vulnerable. Throughout the ordeal, Mia is forced to confront her darker impulses and emotions: the deep-seated anger, frustration, and self-doubt she has harbored for years are all brought to the surface. Her character development serves as a counterpoint to Shari's growing despair, creating an interesting dynamic between the two. Their strained interactions highlight the fragile balance between sibling love and the darker aspects of human nature. Meanwhile, Shari, stuck under the pool cover, grows more desperate with each passing minute. She starts to lose hope as she becomes increasingly exhausted, leading her to confront the possibility that she might not make it through the night. As darkness closes in and Shari's situation deteriorates, the sisters' emotional struggle takes center stage, creating a harrowing and emotional journey that tests the depths of their bond. Throughout their ordeal, Shari and Mia's strained relationships force them to confront deeper truths about themselves, their mother, and each other. They must also confront the darker aspects of human nature: their own fear, anger, and desperation, as well as their vulnerability in the face of adversity. The movie takes the audience through a harrowing, emotional rollercoaster ride, as the two sisters navigate the night from the cramped confines of the pool cover.