Even the most insipid shark movies are usually entertaining, and on some level, Killer Whale does have its moments, but there’s nothing here that will support your suspension of disbelief; in fact, believe it or not, the Orca special effects are the best part.
Director Jo-Anne Brechin hasn’t brought anything new to the table with this waterlogged cash grab. The title is meant to get your attention because it’s a unique spin on the shark tale. Yet there’s nothing fresh, and it’s mostly derivative.
It reminded me of the far superior Fall, with a mix of The Shallows but none of the suspense.
The plot is pretty straightforward: two women are stuck in a lagoon trying to get back to shore before a killer whale eats them. If you can get past the green screen cinematography and unbelievable lack of suspense, you might find some pearls of likability in this film.
For instance, the whale itself looks pretty believable. So much so, you kind of feel sorry for it. The beast evokes some kind of empathy, even if the human cast doesn’t.
Virginia Gardner is giving it her best and gives the film its only standout human performance. It’s very good despite the cut-and-paste script.
The story tries to provide a twist, but it’s meh. It’s wedged in at the last-minute and has no real weight.
Killer Whale could have been the second great creature feature this year. It has a twist on the genre, a pretty good leading lady, and some convincing animal effects. But perhaps due to a small budget and short shooting schedule, they weren’t able to flesh out something more than what feels like an average SyFy Original.
Killer Whale is in Theaters and On Demand and On Digital starting January 16. Starring Virginia Gardner, Mel Jarnson and Mitchell Hope.
iHorror Rating:
