Bait Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of whiny lifeguards get stuck in a grocery store with some sharks after a big wave and have to use expired coupons to survive… or something.

🍿 Bait: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Tragedy and One Year Later

The film opens with a tragic shark attack claiming the life of Rory, the brother of Tina and best friend of Josh. A year later, Josh is working at a supermarket, haunted by the event. Tina returns to town with her new boyfriend, Steven, creating immediate tension.

The Tsunami and Initial Chaos

A massive tsunami hits the coastal town, flooding the supermarket and trapping everyone inside. Among those caught are Josh, Tina, Steven, a shoplifting teen named Jaime and her police officer father, Todd, a couple arguing in their car in the underground car park, and two armed robbers, Doyle and Kirby. The initial chaos sees survivors struggling to reach safety amidst rising water and debris. Soon they discover that they aren’t alone, as two great white sharks are now swimming through the flooded supermarket.

Desperate Attempts for Survival

The survivors attempt various escape plans, each fraught with danger. Steven tries to turn off the electricity, while others try to find alternative exits. The shark in the car park breaks the car window and Kyle tries to save himself at the expense of Heather’s dog. Alliances are tested and sacrifices are made as the group struggles to survive.

Confrontation and Escape

The remaining survivors band together to fight the sharks. They use hooks and meat as bait to lure one shark, but realize they need live bait. Kirby is used as bait, but Doyle saves Naomi, using Kirby instead. Josh retrieves a shotgun and taser, eventually killing both sharks. The survivors emerge from the supermarket to find the town devastated by the tsunami.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Josh (Xavier Samuel): A traumatized former lifeguard now working in a supermarket, Josh must overcome his past to protect others from the shark threat.
• Tina (Sharni Vinson): Josh’s ex-fiancée, Tina returns to town with a new boyfriend only to be caught in the tsunami, forcing her to confront her past.
• Doyle (Julian McMahon): A robber who finds himself trapped with the other survivors, Doyle becomes an unlikely anti-hero, showing unexpected morality.
• Jaime (Phoebe Tonkin): A rebellious teenager caught shoplifting, Jaime uses her resourcefulness to survive the shark-infested supermarket.
• Ryan (Alex Russell): Jaime’s boyfriend and a supermarket employee, Ryan is determined to save his loved ones from the sharks.
• Heather (Cariba Heine): An argumentative girlfriend trapped in the underground carpark with her boyfriend, Kyle, Heather’s main concern is her dog.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kirby: “Curious about what, sharks are only curious about one thing. It’s trying to decide if we’re food or not!” – Expresses the group’s dire situation, realizing the sharks are assessing them as potential prey.
• Jaimie: “It’s coming back! Why does it keep doing that, just circling?” – Reflects the rising tension and helplessness as the shark stalks them.

💰Box Office

• Budget: A$30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,910
• Worldwide Gross: $33,492,566

💥 Bait Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Bait’ is definitely not winning any Oscars, but I had a blast watching it! The idea of sharks in a supermarket is just so ridiculous that it’s entertaining. I was on the edge of my seat during some of the attack scenes, and I may have yelled at the screen a few times. I really enjoyed the moments in the supermarket and car park, especially the backstabbing. If you’re looking for a silly, suspenseful shark movie with some fun gore, this is a great choice. I recommend grabbing some popcorn, turning off your brain, and just enjoying the ride!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of B-movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy creature features”
  • “Those looking for a thrilling, albeit unrealistic, shark attack movie”
  • “People who enjoy disaster movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence”
  • “Graphic dismemberment and gore”
  • “Perilous situations”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Screen Anarchy: “While Bait doesn’t reinvent the genre, it delivers exactly what you expect: thrills, spills, and a whole lotta gills. The characters are surprisingly well-developed, adding depth to the otherwise simple premise. Just don’t expect stellar CGI; the sharks occasionally look like they escaped from a PS2 game.
• IMDB User Review: “Surprisingly good fun for a shark movie! The acting is decent, the suspense is effective, and the story is original. The CGI isn’t always great, but the practical effects and gore are pretty impressive. A solid choice for a Friday night movie night, just make sure you have snacks!
• Indiewire: “This film is a great example of what happens when a good idea doesn’t get the support it needs to become something great. Ultimately, its not the kind of film that can withstand the test of time.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected plot twists kept me guessing until the very end.: Viewers generally appreciate the film’s fast-paced action and surprising moments.

The shark attacks were intense and had me gripping my seat.: Many fans enjoy the suspenseful atmosphere and thrilling shark attack sequences.

Overall Consensus: Despite some shortcomings in CGI, ‘Bait’ is a surprisingly entertaining shark movie that delivers thrills and suspense with a unique and ridiculous premise.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Despite receiving lukewarm reviews in Australia, ‘Bait’ achieved significant international success, particularly in China, where it grossed over $24 million.”
• “The film was shot in Queensland, Australia, utilizing practical sets and water effects to create a realistic flooded supermarket environment.”
• “While the film features CGI sharks, some scenes employed animatronic shark heads for close-up shots to enhance realism.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bait?

Bait is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also available from major retailers, if you prefer owning the movie outright.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bait, you might like these similar films:

• Deep Blue Sea (1999): Features genetically engineered sharks that are intelligent and deadly, creating a similar ‘humans vs. evolved predator’ scenario.
• The Shallows (2016): A lone surfer is trapped near the shore and stalked by a great white shark, creating intense and suspenseful survival situation.
• The Poseidon Adventure (1972): A group of survivors must navigate a capsized ocean liner, facing numerous dangers and challenges to escape, similar to the supermarket setting.

🛒 Bait Related Products

• Great White Shark Tooth Necklace: A real Great White Shark tooth pendant on a durable chain. Each tooth is unique and makes a bold statement.
• Shark Attack! Board Game: Test your survival skills as you try to avoid the jaws of a ravenous shark in this thrilling board game. Perfect for family game nights and shark enthusiasts.
• Bait (Blu-ray) 3D: Experience the terror of ‘Bait’ in stunning 3D Blu-ray quality. Watch the sharks come to life as they terrorize the supermarket in your living room.
• Great White Shark Plush Toy: A soft and cuddly Great White Shark plush. A perfect gift for shark lovers of all ages.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bait features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mack the Knife” – performed by Kimble Rendall & The Slice

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

HUMANS are used as live BAITS to ESCAPE the SHARKS’ den – RECAP

Want a quick rundown of ‘Bait’ without committing to the full movie again? This recap is perfect! It highlights the craziest moments, and honestly, it’s a wild ride.

✨ Rate