Black Water (2007) is an Australian survival thriller directed Andrew Traucki. Inspired by true events, the film follows a group of three tourists who find themselves trapped in the dangerous and treacherous waters of the Australian mangrove swamps after their boat capsizes. What starts as a relaxing trip quickly turns into a fight for survival when they realize they are being hunted by a massive, man-eating saltwater crocodile.
The film opens with a seemingly innocent day trip for the main characters—Grace (Diana Glenn), her husband Adam (Andy Rodoreda), and their friend Lee (Maeve Dermody)—who are visiting the remote wetlands of northern Australia. The adventure takes a horrifying turn when their boat is capsized by the sudden attack of a giant crocodile. They are left stranded in the swamp, with the creature lurking in the murky waters below, ready to strike at any moment. With little to no means of escape, the trio must figure out how to survive the deadly environment, facing both the elements and the relentless predator.
One of the key strengths of Black Water is its sense of realism. The film does not rely on extravagant special effects or exaggerated monster mythology; instead, it delivers a tension-filled survival story that focuses on the characters’ resourcefulness, fear, and desperation. The crocodile, though a terrifying threat, remains hidden for much of the film, only surfacing intermittently to terrorize the characters. This restraint creates a sense of constant unease, as the characters never know when the next attack will occur.