Dark Water
Performance & Direction: Dark Water Review
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Dark Water (2002) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dark Water features a noteworthy lineup led by Hitomi Kuroki . Supported by the likes of Rio Kanno and Mirei Oguchi , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Dark Water
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2002, Dark Water is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film directed by Hideo Nakata. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Hitomi Kuroki.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. A woman in the midst of an unpleasant divorce moves to an eerie apartment building with her young daughter. The ceiling of their apartment has a dark and active leak. Director Hideo Nakata uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Hitomi Kuroki's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Dark Water
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Hideo Nakata, Dark Water concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Hitomi Kuroki, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dark Water reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Dark Water?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Hitomi Kuroki or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: Dark Water
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Dark Water Budget
The estimated production budget for Dark Water is $4.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Dark Water
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Where to Watch Dark Water Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Night Flight Plus🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeDark Water Parents Guide & Age Rating
2002 AdvisoryWondering about Dark Water age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Dark Water is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Dark Water is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2002 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dark Water worth watching?
Dark Water is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Dark Water parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Dark Water identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Dark Water?
The total duration of Dark Water is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
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Critic Reviews for Dark Water
This was very enjoyable and I especially loved the ambience, murkiness and palpable dread that coruscated throughout. This scared my son, a budding horror-film aficionado himself, surprisingly much more than I felt more horrific films he has watched did, and gave him nightmares for a while afterwards. As much as I love Jennifer Connelly and Walter Salles' work, I will try and avoid the English-language remake simply on general principle.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
