The Requin (2022) is a survival thriller that attempts to blend emotional drama with the sheer terror of nature’s wrath, set against the haunting backdrop of the open sea. The story follows Jaelyn, played by Alicia Silverstone, and her husband Kyle, portrayed by James Tupper, who set out on a much-needed vacation to Vietnam in hopes of mending their fragile relationship. From the very beginning, the film establishes a sense of unease, as Jaelyn is shown to be emotionally scarred from a recent tragedy, struggling with guilt and fear. Their idyllic getaway quickly shifts into a nightmare when a violent tropical storm tears apart their floating villa, leaving the couple stranded in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight.
The narrative unfolds with an emphasis on psychological tension as much as physical danger. Jaelyn and Kyle’s dynamic becomes the emotional anchor of the film, their fractured relationship pushed to the edge by circumstances far beyond their control. Their survival depends not only on their ability to endure the perils of the ocean but also on whether they can lean on each other after so much pain and resentment. The storm sequence is both chaotic and frightening, effectively plunging the audience into the sheer vulnerability of being at the mercy of nature. The vast emptiness of the sea becomes an enemy in itself, amplifying the isolation and hopelessness of their situation.
As the couple drifts further into danger, the true terror emerges in the form of the ocean’s most infamous predator: sharks. The threat is not immediate but lingers with chilling suspense, building dread with every shadow beneath the water’s surface. The attacks, when they come, are sudden, brutal, and merciless, reminding the audience that survival is not guaranteed. Jaelyn, who starts the film paralyzed by trauma, is forced into a relentless fight for her life, transforming into a figure of resilience and determination as she faces both physical wounds and emotional scars.
The film also makes use of its setting to emphasize both beauty and horror. The serene waters of Vietnam, initially picturesque, turn into a vast, indifferent prison once the couple is set adrift. The cinematography captures both the calm and the chaos of the sea, shifting from tranquil blues to terrifying depths, while the sound design ensures the audience never escapes the creaks, crashes, and silences that heighten tension. The ocean becomes a character in itself, unpredictable and unforgiving, and the sharks are its ultimate embodiment of danger.
Silverstone delivers a performance filled with raw vulnerability, portraying Jaelyn as a woman whose survival instinct is awakened in the most extreme circumstances. Her transition from despair to defiance feels authentic, making the audience root for her against impossible odds. James Tupper provides a grounding presence as Kyle, though much of the film’s emotional weight rests on Silverstone’s shoulders. While the script occasionally leans on melodrama and some of the CGI effects falter, the emotional core of the story keeps the audience invested in Jaelyn’s struggle.
In its essence, The Requin is not just a shark attack film but a story about grief, resilience, and the primal instinct to survive when everything seems lost. It blends human vulnerability with the ruthless power of nature, crafting a tense narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. While it may not reinvent the survival thriller genre, it succeeds in delivering a harrowing and emotionally charged experience, reminding viewers of the terrifying reality that sometimes the greatest monsters are not the ones we can see, but the vast, merciless forces of the natural world.
