Row, 2025.
Directed by Matthew Losasso.
Starring Bella Dayne, Sophie Skelton, Akshay Khanna, Mark Strephan, Nick Staugen, Jenna Quinn
SYNOPSIS:
A woman washes ashore on a blood-stained rowing boat. With disjointed memories of what took place and all her crewmates missing, she must try to remember what happened to prove her innocence.
Row is an effective and gripping psychological thriller that masterfully draws parallels between the terror of the wild Atlantic Ocean and the unsettling depths of traumatic memory. The film keeps its audience guessing right until the very end, offering a truly terrifying journey across the waves.
This taut, intense narrative follows a crew of four on a mission to break a world record by rowing across the Atlantic in just twenty-eight days. However, when the boat finally reaches Orkney, only one survivor remains: Megan. Exhausted and semi-conscious, Megan begins to relive the harrowing events of the voyage as she’s nursed back to health.
The journey begins in Newfoundland. The crew consists of the overbearing skipper, Dan (Akshay Khanna), Megan (Bella Dayne), and her friend Lexie (Sophie Skelton). Mike (Nick Skaugen) joins them as a last-minute addition after Lexie’s boyfriend, Adam, pulls out due to an injury.
Tensions quickly escalate as Dan becomes increasingly controlling. When a stray hair band damages the rudder, Megan is unfairly blamed. The crew battles rough seas, sickness, and damage to their vessel, with antagonism building after each new setback. The situation becomes increasingly desperate, pushing the crew members to extreme actions in their fight for survival.
Matthew Losasso’s strong debut effectively creates a heightened sense of claustrophobia on the open waves. Most of the film is set on board a small, fragile boat, amplifying the gruelling experience and bleak outlook on the dangers of not just the ocean, but also a competitive streak. The main cast numbers just four, and the believable interplay between them rises in intensity as conflicts become more serious. This expertly crafted and tightly paced movie, scripted by Losasso and Nick Skaugen (who also acts in the film), features superb performances.
Row excels in its compelling mixing of genres. The battle against the ocean’s natural rage is paired with a “whodunnit” as Megan attempts to piece together what happened. This allows the movie to go beyond what it first appears to be. It’s in this aspect that the film truly soars. As we learn more about the events, we see different sides of the characters and their motivations, helping us uncover the truth just as Megan herself is doing.
This investigation of memory is brilliantly brought out using a technique that allows us to question the reliability of Megan’s account, often contrasted with videotaped shots of the crew. Notably, close friend Lexie’s initial excitement at the start of the trip is melancholically contrasted with the terrible emergency that unfolds later.
Ultimately, Row is a moody and unsettling film, highly praised for its original vision and distinctive style. It will keep you gripped on the edge of your seat, offering an experience akin to desperately clinging to a boat as reality capsizes.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert W Monk
