Tide

Tide

Synopsis

The fantastic tranquillity that Mont Saint-Michel has become famous for, and its tidal phenomenons, is in complete contrast to the terrifying and sinister reputation it is well known for. For Charlotte, Xavier and their two friends Olivia and Elliott, the bay return to the realm of nightmare when they, begin exploring its outside in voyages filled with deep adventures. So let’s see how it all started.

The group of friends had gotten the tide timings all wrong as the eliminated the chance of better judgement from their minds, and proceeded, onto treacherous quicksand, and it did not take long for terror to begin setting in, another surprise awaited everyone around, the bay was dark and gloomy. It was clear that the area was telling someone to back off, so the three devices they had left to get out were truly their last hope… their mind, willpower and trust amongst each other.

As Charlotte and her group dug deeper they could not believe the unexpected turn that reality had taken placing them in a shock.

Awards & Wins

“Tide” is a new release which still has to bag big awards, but in its early months, it has started receiving accolades because of its increasing atmospheric tension and strange location. It was in the spotlight at the 2024 FrightFest in London and won awards for Best Independent Horror Film and Best Cinematography.


Cast & Crew

  • Director: Berty Cadilhac – Known for his work in independent European cinema, Cadilhac brings an eye for atmospheric detail and character-driven storytelling.
  • Alice Sanders (Charlotte) – Portrays the group’s empathetic leader, grappling with personal guilt while striving to keep her friends alive. Sanders’ nuanced performance anchors the emotional stakes of the film.
  • Edmund C. Short (Xavier) – The pragmatic voice of reason, whose confidence falters as the situation grows dire.
  • Benjamin McMahon (Elliott) – The adventurous yet impulsive wildcard of the group, often complicating their survival efforts.
  • Isabella Colby Browne (Olivia) – A compassionate yet cautious figure, whose backstory reveals key insights into the bay’s dark past.

IMDb Rating

As of now: 7.3/10
The film has received a mix of praise for its tight pacing and criticism for occasional predictability in its third act.


Personal Insights

“Tide’s setting and concept excel in creating an engaging and frightening survival story where the viewers are seamlessly immersed across the board. Mont Saint Michel is chosen not only as aesthetic decoration but rather as the core backbone in the creation of the cinematic horror. With that being said, the bay’s quicksand pits and mercurial tides reflect on the characters deep rooted feelings and their broken relationships.

Thank Berty Cadilhac for his direction, as he manages to turn the bay into a living adding making it fluid and moving according to the need. This film has been effective in using postmodern or minimalist horror which avoids any pointless jump scare and instead create real horror, thus from the point of view of a survival film, this flick is a success.

Strengths:

  • A unique setting that feels fresh and menacing.
  • Strong ensemble performances that bring depth to the characters.
  • A layered script with social subtext about trust and resilience.

Weaknesses:

  • Some narrative beats may feel familiar to seasoned horror fans.
  • The mysterious “lurking threat” could have been explored further for added complexity.

Cultural Significance

The choice to film Tide in Mont Saint-Michel, which is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, further deepens the mystery and history surrounding the film. The setting is both stunning and hazardous, as it brings forward the power of nature with its unstable water levels and quicksand.

On a less self-conscious level, the film also touches on how humanity has to respect what nature is capable of. Moreover, “Tide” examines social relations of people placed in an extreme situation, and the ways stress and need can unite people or vice versa, separate.

Since tidal and quicksand phenomena constitute a relatively unexploited risk, Tide stands out and breathes some new life to the survival horror vide game sub genre. It acts to some extent, an additional warning to the audience about the dangers of being reckless for modern day.


Conclusion

The film “Tide” holds a special place in the hearts of horror thriller lovers as it not only has beautiful scenes but also an interesting plot. This is the film that perfectly explores the fine lines of horror, character conflict, and artistic imagery, and for this reason it’s hard not to recommend this to fans of ambiance films.

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