By Riley Sandoval, Horror Film Critic

There’s something primal about water as a horror device—it’s everywhere, inescapable, and utterly indifferent to human suffering. The Flood (2023), directed by Brandon Cronenberg (Possessor), weaponizes this fear with chilling precision. This isn’t just another creature feature; it’s a slow-burning, suffocating nightmare that merges body horror, psychological terror, and survival thriller elements into something uniquely disturbing.

Premise: Trapped, Wet, and Not Alone

Set in a near-future where catastrophic flooding has turned cities into swamps, The Flood follows Dr. Mara Voss (Rebecca Ferguson), a marine biologist studying mutated deep-sea organisms in a submerged research facility. When a mysterious black sludge infiltrates the station’s water filtration system, the team begins experiencing hallucinations, paranoia, and gruesome physical transformations.

As the water levels rise inside the facility, so does the terror—because whatever’s in the water is rewriting their bodies and minds.

What Works: A Masterclass in Atmospheric Horror

1. Cronenberg’s Signature Body Horror, But Soggier

If The Thing had a baby with Underwater (2020), this would be it. The mutations here are visceral, wet, and deeply unnatural—think melting skin, bone warping, and organs behaving like liquid. The practical effects (mixed with subtle CGI) make every transformation feel disgustingly real.

2. Water as the Ultimate Villain

The film’s sound design—dripping, sloshing, the groan of metal under pressure—keeps you in a state of perpetual unease. Cinematographer Rob Hardy (Annihilation) shoots the flooding claustrophobically, with tight corridors, submerged rooms, and reflections that shouldn’t be there.

3. Rebecca Ferguson’s Descent Into Madness

Ferguson delivers a career-best performance, shifting from rational scientist to desperate survivor as the infection takes hold. Her physical acting—twitches, spasms, a slow loss of motor control—is terrifying in its realism.

4. A Third Act That Goes Full Cosmic Horror

Without spoiling anything, the finale abandons logic for pure, Lovecraftian dread. The last 15 minutes feature some of the most unsettling imagery in modern horror.

What Doesn’t: Pacing and Some Underdeveloped Characters

• The first 30 minutes are slow—deliberately so, but casual horror fans might check out.

• Some supporting scientists are glorified cannon fodder, making their deaths less impactful.

• The ending is divisive—you’ll either love its ambiguity or hate its lack of answers.

Final Verdict: A Must-Watch for Horror Aficionados

The Flood isn’t for everyone. It’s deliberately paced, grotesque, and emotionally exhausting. But if you love body horror, aquatic terror, and films that linger in your subconscious, this is one of 2023’s best.

★★★★☆ (4/5) – A Chilling, Unforgettable Descent

“The water doesn’t want you dead. It wants you… changed.”

Questions to Haunt You After Watching:

• Is the flood sentient, or just a mindless force?

• Would you have tried to escape… or given in?

• What does the ending really mean?

Sound off in the comments—if you’re brave enough.