Is Black Water Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Black Water is likely a skip if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 105 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Black Water Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2018, Black Water emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A deep cover operative awakens to find himself imprisoned on a submarine. Unlike standard genre fare, Black Water attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Black Water features a noteworthy lineup led by Jean-Claude Van Damme . Supported by the likes of Dolph Lundgren and Patrick Kilpatrick , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Black Water (2018) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Black Water Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Black Water is a Action, Thriller film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Black Water Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Black Water attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Black Water reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Black Water?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Black Water Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Black Water Budget
The estimated production budget for Black Water is $4.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Black Water
- Jean-Claude Van Damme – Wheeler
- Dolph Lundgren – Marco
- Patrick Kilpatrick – Ferris
- Al Sapienza – Edward Rhodes
- Jasmine Waltz – Cassie Taylor
Top Highlights
Jean-Claude Van DammeWheeler
Dolph LundgrenMarco
Patrick KilpatrickFerris
Al SapienzaEdward Rhodes
Jasmine WaltzCassie Taylor
Kris Van DammeKagan
Courtney Blythe TurkMelissa Ballard
Aleksander VayshelboymKingsley
Mark ShermanWeddle
Cathal PendredDax
Where to Watch Black Water Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTV🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Black Water is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, Black Water stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2018 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Water movie hit or flop?
Black Water has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Black Water worth watching?
Black Water is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Black Water online?
Black Water is currently available for streaming on fuboTV. You can also check for it on platforms like fuboTV depending on your region.
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How Black Water Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Black Water
Lundgren probably contributed about a day's worth of shooting to the very inappropriately named _Black Water_. JCVD, occupying the other space on the cover, is actually a lead role in the movie though, but he hasn't been in a good movie in **years** so that's doesn't bode particularly well. The real problems with _Black Water_ are less to do with the actors though (most of whom are, admittedly, bad) and more to do with the fact that that it doesn't offer a single thing that's original, or even an unoriginal thing done well. The way it is going to end up is completely transparent from the word go, and a couple of minimal-level of acceptable action sequences alongside a Dolph cameo, do nothing to change that. _Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
A mostly subpar action/thriller with a few surprises. Nevertheless, nice to see Dolph and Jean-Claude together!
Messrs. Van Damme and Lundgren reunite just one time too many for this terrible underwater thriller. The former ("Wheeler") finds himself on a submarine where a rogue CIA operative "Rhodes" (Al Sapienza) and his team are bent on gunning him down after he was framed. Fortunately he has the help of trainee agent "Cass" (Jasmine Waltz) and, latterly (and briefly) that of his erstwhile buddy "Marco" (Lundgren) who has an axe or two of his own to grind. What now ensues is just poor. No other word for it. Submarines are highly pressurised tin cans that don't react well - as Sir Sean Connery told us in "Hunt for Red October" (almost thirty years earlier) - to bullets. This one has to deal with machine guns and explosions galore before the completely unsecured bridge becomes the focus for a conclusion that couldn't come quickly enough for me. There is just nothing at all memorable about this; the talent are universally lacklustre and the plot just lurches from silly to daft to "really"? Van Damme does have charisma, but it's fading fast and he cannot hold this together en seul - it's just weak and derivative and not 1¾ hours of your life that you will never get back.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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