A Shark Thriller With Extra Claustrophobia

Key Points:

• "The Devil’s Mouth," directed by Jeff Wadlow, is a shark thriller set in a claustrophobic cave in coastal Thailand, offering a novel location but following a familiar survival formula with five vacationers and a predatory bull shark.
• Released on Prime Video, the film’s murky visuals and slow script pace seem better suited for streaming, though its tension-building character dynamics add some engagement despite pedestrian dialogue.
• The story centers on protagonist Sarah (Kathryn Newton) and her narcissistic friend Max (Lana Condor), whose toxic friendship adds emotional friction amid the shark attacks, with Condor notably diverging from her usual wholesome roles.
• The plot escalates as the group ignores local guide Wat’s (Tayme Thapthimthong) advice, leading them into dangerous cave passages where a shark stalks them in tight quarters, creating suspense through confined underwater setpieces.
• However, the shark itself lacks impact due to limited on-screen presence and predictable attacks, and the gore is surprisingly restrained, contrasting with the film’s focus on human peril and character conflict.