Is Dark Water Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Dark Water is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 101 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Dark Water Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2002, Dark Water emerges as a significant entry in the Horror, Mystery, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A woman in the midst of an unpleasant divorce moves to an eerie apartment building with her young daughter. Unlike standard genre fare, Dark Water attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dark Water features a noteworthy lineup led by Hitomi Kuroki . Supported by the likes of Rio Kanno and Mirei Oguchi , 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 Dark Water (2002) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Dark Water Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Dark Water is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. A woman in the midst of an unpleasant divorce moves to an eerie apartment building with her young daughter. The ceiling of their apartment has a dark and active leak. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Dark Water Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Dark Water concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror 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 horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dark Water reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Dark Water?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Dark Water Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Dark Water Budget
The estimated production budget for Dark 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 Dark Water
- Hitomi Kuroki – Yoshimi Matsubara
- Rio Kanno – Young Ikuko Matsubara
- Mirei Oguchi – Mitsuko Kawai
- Asami Mizukawa – Ikuko Hamada
- Fumiyo Kohinata – Kunio Hamada
Top Highlights
Hitomi KurokiYoshimi Matsubara
Rio KannoYoung Ikuko Matsubara
Mirei OguchiMitsuko Kawai
Asami MizukawaIkuko Hamada
Fumiyo KohinataKunio Hamada
Yuu TokuiOta
Isao YatsuKamiya
Shigemitsu OgiKishida
Maiko AsanoYoung Yoshimi's Teacher
Yukiko IkariYoung Yoshimi
Where to Watch Dark Water Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Night Flight Plus
ARROW🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Dark Water has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Horror, Mystery, Thriller), it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, Dark Water stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2002 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dark Water movie hit or flop?
Dark Water has received mixed reviews with a 6.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Dark Water worth watching?
Dark Water is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Horror, Mystery, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Dark Water online?
Dark Water is currently available for streaming on Night Flight Plus. You can also check for it on platforms like Night Flight Plus, ARROW depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Dark Water
This was very enjoyable and I especially loved the ambience, murkiness and palpable dread that coruscated throughout. This scared my son, a budding horror-film aficionado himself, surprisingly much more than I felt more horrific films he has watched did, and gave him nightmares for a while afterwards. As much as I love Jennifer Connelly and Walter Salles' work, I will try and avoid the English-language remake simply on general principle.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
