The King Tide
- 2023
- 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
After the mayor of an idyllic island village discovers a child with mysterious powers awash on their shores, the once peaceful community devolves into civil war, torn over the belief that th... Read allAfter the mayor of an idyllic island village discovers a child with mysterious powers awash on their shores, the once peaceful community devolves into civil war, torn over the belief that the child is the next saviour.After the mayor of an idyllic island village discovers a child with mysterious powers awash on their shores, the once peaceful community devolves into civil war, torn over the belief that the child is the next saviour.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 6 nominations total
Evan Stern
- Dispatcher
- (voice)
Featured reviews
The concept for this film is interesting, but it is slow. The story is good, as is the acting.
The cinematography is excellent, though because of the lack of momentum, I didn't feel much urgency or tension in the film, until the very end. That's where this film finally comes together. It is worth the wait.
Its not really a horror film or thriller, but more of a drama with fantasy elements. I chose to watch it over two nights, due to the pace.
I think this film would have been better at about 90 minutes. The dialogue, shots, and music are just too slow. Perhaps better editing would have been in order.
The cinematography is excellent, though because of the lack of momentum, I didn't feel much urgency or tension in the film, until the very end. That's where this film finally comes together. It is worth the wait.
Its not really a horror film or thriller, but more of a drama with fantasy elements. I chose to watch it over two nights, due to the pace.
I think this film would have been better at about 90 minutes. The dialogue, shots, and music are just too slow. Perhaps better editing would have been in order.
Watched this immediately after the Redlettermedia video came out today. I really enjoyed this film and as the title says I didn't want to turn it off once it was on. It's very bare bones and just a lot of talking but that's what makes it great. They were able to get so much out of the limited material they had. The cinematography is beautiful with a wonderful filming location.
All the acting is at least hood overall with some actors better than others. Maybe for a couple of scenes I would've done another take.
As another review said, some clever people don't do the smartest things. However, this is few and far between throughout.
I would also say you can get a bit lost scene to scene. It's from one scene in a kitchen to the next in annother vaguely similar but different room, maybe in the same house maybe not. Characters just turn up and they all look the same. Given the budget I can't fault this though, they did the best they could.
I wont spoil anything (don't read this just in case) but I did feel some of the characters at the end were a bit lacklustre. They could've been filled out more and they were just plonked into the story to see what happens. It could've been a bit more clever but shot slightly differently with a change to the dialogue and it would've worked well.
All the acting is at least hood overall with some actors better than others. Maybe for a couple of scenes I would've done another take.
As another review said, some clever people don't do the smartest things. However, this is few and far between throughout.
I would also say you can get a bit lost scene to scene. It's from one scene in a kitchen to the next in annother vaguely similar but different room, maybe in the same house maybe not. Characters just turn up and they all look the same. Given the budget I can't fault this though, they did the best they could.
I wont spoil anything (don't read this just in case) but I did feel some of the characters at the end were a bit lacklustre. They could've been filled out more and they were just plonked into the story to see what happens. It could've been a bit more clever but shot slightly differently with a change to the dialogue and it would've worked well.
This was a really interesting premise and the setting was great and the director obviously has an affection for the area he shot it in.
The story set up was good and they started to look into interesting perspectives of how people would handle a 'miracle' performing child, but then mostly went off the rails to darkness and illogical evil.
The actors all did a great job with the characters they were given but this went from being a potentially insightful and deep film into a same old same old but well staged, shot and acted slight disappointment.
Great to see the 2 core actors from Rectify on screen again too.
The story set up was good and they started to look into interesting perspectives of how people would handle a 'miracle' performing child, but then mostly went off the rails to darkness and illogical evil.
The actors all did a great job with the characters they were given but this went from being a potentially insightful and deep film into a same old same old but well staged, shot and acted slight disappointment.
Great to see the 2 core actors from Rectify on screen again too.
This is the sort of movie that flies under the radar but deserves a lot more credit. It is well written, put together, feels cohesive and acted well.
The story line is a little far fetched but it's done in a way that doesn't make you think it is. Everyone plays their part well and it's a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience.
It's has highs and lows, but it transports you to what is happening in the screen which is the true art of cinema if you ask me.
I am trying really hard not to give anything away as it's way more enjoyable if you just let it happen.
The majority of the cast aren't massive actors but they are brilliant in it. I will definitely watch this again.
The story line is a little far fetched but it's done in a way that doesn't make you think it is. Everyone plays their part well and it's a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience.
It's has highs and lows, but it transports you to what is happening in the screen which is the true art of cinema if you ask me.
I am trying really hard not to give anything away as it's way more enjoyable if you just let it happen.
The majority of the cast aren't massive actors but they are brilliant in it. I will definitely watch this again.
A king tide is not only the exceptionally high waves that typically occur during a new or full moon but is also the name of the movie I'm reviewing today. THE KING TIDE is a tiny Canadian-made mystery thriller about a tiny island of people. So small that everybody knows everybody. They happen upon a baby, who seems to have some kind of power, who they call Isla. Much like the movie itself, I'm going to leave you to fill in the blanks. The best description I can think of for this movie is that it's a grim fairy tale. Canadian award-winning director Christian Sparkes takes an idyllic island village, makes one small change, and we the audience get to see how it affects everyone. I'm very hesitant in telling you more because I want you to go in mostly blind. Everybody does a great job, especially young Alix West Lefler, who I have no doubt will have a bright future in the business. This movie has a slow burn that completely pays off, accompanied by a creepy atmosphere and intriguing world-building that slowly draws you in. It's such a shame that almost nobody has even heard of THE KING TIDE. Luckily, I have so now you have too. Go see it before it goes away! Many thanks for reading this, and of course, "Many thanks to Isla."
Did you know
- TriviaThe film's budget was around $9 million. This allowed director Christian Sparkes to move production to the isolated community of Keels, Newfoundland. Making a film there had been on his bucket list for a long time.
- GoofsGuppies are tropical fish and would not be found in that climate.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Mike and Jay Talk About: Mike and Jay Talk About The King Tide (2025)
- How long is The King Tide?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Con la marea
- Filming locations
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada(various locations)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $9,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $16,826
- Runtime
- 1h 40m(100 min)
- Color
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