🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Matt Eskandari
- Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 25min
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10 (18K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two sisters have a really bad swim day when the pool closes, and they must overcome their issues with each other, as well as a disgruntled employee, all while avoiding hypothermia.
🍿 12 Feet Deep: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Sisters at the Pool
Bree and Jonna, two sisters, visit a local aquatic center for a swim. As the pool prepares to close for a holiday weekend, Bree realizes her engagement ring is missing. Jonna spots it at the bottom, and both dive in to retrieve it.

Trapped Underneath
Unbeknownst to them, the pool manager activates the automatic fiberglass cover, trapping Bree and Jonna underneath. They quickly realize the gravity of their situation, facing dwindling time and resources in the cold water. Panic sets in as they try to find a way out.

Sisterly Conflicts and Secrets
As they struggle to survive, long-buried resentments and secrets surface between the sisters. Jonna confesses she was jealous of Bree’s seemingly perfect life and engagement, admitting to throwing the ring into the pool. Bree reveals the traumatic details of their abusive father’s death in a fire, deepening their emotional turmoil.

The Janitor’s Interference
Clara, the recently fired janitor, discovers the trapped sisters. Instead of helping, she steals Bree’s belongings and blackmails them for money. Her actions add another layer of danger and desperation to their already dire situation. The janitor’s own troubled past adds a moral complexity to her actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Bree (Nora-Jane Noone): One of the two sisters trapped under the pool cover, she is diabetic and engaged, struggling with past traumas.
- Jonna (Alexandra Park): The other sister trapped, she initially resents Bree’s success but ultimately finds strength to save them both.
- Clara (Diane Farr): The recently fired, opportunistic janitor who discovers the sisters and initially tries to exploit their situation.
- McGradey (Tobin Bell): The pool manager who inadvertently traps the sisters when closing the pool for the holiday weekend.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bree: “Just keep reminding yourself that he’s dead.” – Bree says this to Jonna when they are discussing their abusive father, trying to comfort her sister and help her cope with the trauma.
- Bree: “I killed that monster.” – Bree confesses to Jonna that she prevented their father from escaping the fire, revealing a dark secret she’s been carrying.
- Jonna: “I killed the monster.” – At the end, Jonna is the one who retrieves Bree’s ring, and she uses the same line as Bree to show they have both faced their demons.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 12 Feet Deep Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched this last night, and honestly, I was glued to the screen! The whole ‘stuck under a pool cover’ thing is terrifying, and the actresses did an amazing job making me feel their panic. There was one scene where the diabetic sister’s sugar started dropping – I was holding my breath! Sure, it had some predictable moments, but overall, it was a pretty intense and fun watch. I will say the villain janitor lady wasn’t as scary as the pool itself!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of survival thrillers”
- “Viewers who enjoy claustrophobic settings”
- “Those interested in stories about sisterhood and overcoming adversity”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Claustrophobia”
- “Mild violence”
- “Thematic elements involving abuse”
- “Blackmail”
Professional Reviews
- IndieFilmReviewer.com: “12 Feet Deep delivers a claustrophobic experience, heightened by strong performances from the leads. The premise is simple, yet effective in creating tension. However, the plot leans on some familiar tropes, and the villain’s motivations are not fully explored, making the film’s latter half less impactful.
- ThrillSeeker Magazine: “A gripping thriller that makes the most of its confined setting. The underwater cinematography is impressive, creating a sense of dread. While the plot has some holes, the emotional connection between the sisters and the desperation of their situation will keep you engaged.
Audience Reactions
The intense, claustrophobic setting kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.: Viewers often praise the movie’s ability to create tension within a limited space and the raw performances of the lead actresses.
The movie makes you think about your own relationships with siblings and family.: Many appreciated the story’s underlying themes of sisterhood, forgiveness, and overcoming past traumas.
Overall Consensus: While having some flaws, 12 Feet Deep is a nail-biting thriller, offering an intense and claustrophobic experience, driven by the actors’ performances and emotional depth.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie was filmed in just 14 days, requiring a tight schedule and efficient production.”
- “Multiple locations were used for filming, despite the story primarily taking place in and around a single pool.”
- “The story is inspired by true events, although some details were fictionalized for dramatic effect.”
🖥️ How to Watch 12 Feet Deep?
As of October 2024, “12 Feet Deep” is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for potential streaming availability on services like Tubi or Pluto TV, which sometimes offer it as part of their free, ad-supported content libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed 12 Feet Deep, you might like these similar films:
- Open Water (2003): Features a couple stranded in the ocean, fighting for survival against the elements and their own psychological struggles.
- Frozen (2010): Three skiers are trapped on a ski lift, forced to confront the harsh cold and make desperate choices to survive.
- Buried (2010): A man is buried alive in a coffin, and the film focuses on his claustrophobic struggle to escape with limited resources.
- 47 Meters Down (2017): Two sisters get trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean, facing dwindling oxygen and circling sharks.
🛒 12 Feet Deep Related Products
- Swimming Pool Maintenance Log Book: Pool Service Log: Perfect for both pool owners and professionals, this log book helps track pool maintenance, water chemistry, and equipment checks.
- Waterproof Phone Pouch, Universal Cell Phone Dry Bag: Keep your phone safe and dry during swimming or any water activities with this waterproof pouch. It’s a universal fit for most smartphones.
- Portable Emergency Oxygen Inhaler: A small, lightweight can of pure, enriched oxygen, perfect for emergency situations or altitude sickness relief. Enhances alertness and physical performance.
- Emergency First Aid Kit, 299 Pieces: Includes a comprehensive range of medical supplies for treating minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and sprains. Lightweight and portable, ideal for home, car, or travel.
🎧 Soundtrack
12 Feet Deep features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While the film is inspired by real-life incidents of people getting trapped in swimming pools, the specific events in ’12 Feet Deep’ are fictionalized.
’12 Feet Deep’ was filmed in various locations in Los Angeles, California, utilizing practical sets and locations to create the claustrophobic atmosphere.
The movie is about two sisters who get trapped under the fiberglass cover of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. They must survive the cold, their personal conflicts, and a malicious janitor to escape.
The movie inaccurately portrays the management of diabetes. Insulin is used to lower high blood sugar, not to treat low blood sugar. Individuals with diabetes experiencing low blood sugar need a fast-acting source of glucose, like juice or candy.
🔥 Bonus Content
Sisters Forced to Swim For Days to Stay Alive After Getting Trapped in a Deep Pool
Ever wondered what *really* happened in that intense swimming pool movie? This recap breaks down all the suspense and survival moments – it’s like reliving the drama, but without the chlorine!
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