The Tank (2023), written and directed by Scott Walker, unfolds a creepy story mixed with mystery when the family of Ben (Matt Whelan) - Jules (Luciane Buchanan) and daughter Reia (Zara Nausbaum) suddenly inherit an abandoned house on the Oregon coast in 1978. Originally pet shop owners in California, they hope this property will help ease their financial difficulties.
However, things quickly turn into a nightmare when Ben accidentally activates the underground water tank system on the land, releasing an ancient creature, which has been dormant for generations and attacks the family and the surrounding community. Walker's script exploits many classic horror elements: local legends, family memories, seals in missing diaries, and small clues such as the scene where they mention an axolotl - seemingly foreshadowing the creature about to awaken.
One of the highlights of the film is the creature design with practical effects by Weta Workshop - so effective that the audience will find it hard to forget the image of the jagged flesh creature, blind eyes and scary jaws, creating a haunting and familiar atmosphere with the feeling of "aquatic Alien". The sound and lighting are carefully coordinated, especially in the second half of the film when the flooded space and hidden camera angles bring a feeling of "suffocating" tension. However, the film's pace is considered by many critics to be too slow, sometimes dragging on, forcing the audience to wait patiently until nearly the 47th minute for a notable scene to appear. The script is also commented to lack depth, the flashback scenes are not exploited properly, causing interruptions and not much support for the main storyline. In terms of acting, Luciane Buchanan as Jules, the mother who is brave and knows how to deal with challenges, is praised as a convincing "hero" image; while Matt Whelan delivers a faithful but somewhat bland Ben. Viewers on IMDb and forums like Reddit are also divided: some love the creepy atmosphere and creature effects, others find the prologue too long and the ending a bit unconvincing.
In conclusion, The Tank is a worthy work for those who love classic “creature features”, with excellent creature design and a tense underwater setting. However, if you expect a deep plot, fast paced and dramatic, this may not be the perfect choice. The film is suitable for a one-time viewing, enjoying the effects and atmosphere, but it will hardly become a horror classic.
