HEAD ABOVE WATER
A cynical, grim comedy that demeans human life.
Should You Watch It?
The answer is no. HEAD ABOVE WATER has excellent photography and acting, but its one-star entertainment quality reflects the source’s judgment that the film is a poor tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock made better movies, with more style and more profound statements about human nature.
The content is excessive. The story involves drug addiction, adultery, murder, violence, and a deeply cynical view of human nature. Its dark humor treats serious wrongdoing and death as comic material, while the review says plainly that the movie demeans human life.
You should skip it rather than bring it into your home or conscience.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESNatalie, a pill addict facing a criminal trial, marries George, a much older judge who lets her off easily. During a quiet weekend off the coast of Maine, Natalie’s former boyfriend arrives, and what begins as a visit quickly becomes an Alfred Hitchcock-like murder mystery and comedy of errors.
Is It Any Good?
One star means the film has isolated strengths but does not succeed overall. The source praises its excellent photography and acting.
Those strengths are overwhelmed by the film’s weak execution and failed Hitchcock imitation. The review says Hitchcock made much better movies, with more style and more profound statements about human nature. The result is a dark comedy recommended by the source only for people with the darkest senses of humor.
The Worldview
The film presents an existential, cynical worldview in which no one can overcome their sinful nature. Its treatment of adultery, drug addiction, murder, and violence turns human brokenness into dark comedy, and the review concludes that the movie demeans human life.
That view recognizes sin’s reach but removes the possibility of meaningful redemption. Scripture agrees that all have sinned, but it does not say people are trapped beyond grace: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Existential, cynical worldview where no one can overcome their sinful nature; 8 obscenities; extensive violence including two shootings with a shotgun, an impaling, explosion, attempted poisoning, gun threats, & gratuitous violence against woman; adult sexual situations, sexual innuendo & adultery; upper frontal & rear male nudity, image of naked corpse & female scantily clothed; alcohol use & abuse; and, smoking & drug use & abuse.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What does it mean to say that people are sinful, and why is that not the same as saying people are beyond hope?
Romans 3:23–24 · Ephesians 2:4–5How does treating death and wrongdoing as comedy affect the way we value human life?
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 139:13–16What does adultery reveal about faithfulness and the damage caused by breaking a marriage covenant?
Exodus 20:14 · Hebrews 13:4Where do you see the difference between a cynical view of human nature and the Christian hope of transformation?
2 Corinthians 5:17 · Romans 12:2The Final Word
HEAD ABOVE WATER has some excellent photography and acting, but its one-star quality and excessive content make it a poor choice. Its cynicism, sexual material, drug abuse, violence, and treatment of death are not worth bringing into your home. SKIP IT. For better options, see.
