The Tank (2023), directed by Scott Walker, is a creature-feature horror film that blends classic monster movie aesthetics with a slow-burning family mystery. Set in 1970s Oregon, the film follows Ben and Jules, a young couple who inherit a remote coastal property from Ben’s mother. What seems like a dream getaway quickly turns into a nightmare when the couple uncovers a sealed water tank—and unwittingly unleashes the ancient, amphibious predators lurking inside.
The film thrives on atmosphere. Its setting—foggy shores, decaying houses, and underground tunnels—recalls the isolation of The Descent and the environmental dread of The Thing. Practical creature effects are used to great impact, giving the monsters a tactile, menacing presence that CGI often lacks. The beasts, vaguely humanoid with slimy, amphibian skin and glowing eyes, are rooted in the idea of long-dormant prehistoric predators—a concept familiar but still effective.
At its core, The Tank is a story about buried family secrets. Ben’s discovery that his mother had connections to the tank’s horrifying past adds emotional weight to the survival narrative. While the pacing is deliberate—arguably too slow in the first half—the film builds tension effectively and delivers a solid payoff in its final act.
However, critics noted the plot’s predictability and underdeveloped characters. Jules, while brave and intelligent, is largely a reactive figure, and Ben’s arc could have benefited from deeper emotional stakes. Still, the film succeeds as a nostalgic homage to 1980s monster horror, complete with fog machines, flickering lights, and claustrophobic chases.
Given its open ending—suggesting the creatures may not be the only things lurking beneath the surface—a sequel could push the mythos further. The Tank: Awakening might follow a marine biologist who discovers similar subterranean tanks along the Pacific coast. As reports of disappearances rise, it becomes clear that the original outbreak was just the beginning. The sequel could expand on the origins of the creatures: Were they ancient species, failed experiments, or guardians of something worse?
Meanwhile, Jules, surviving the first encounter, could return as a hardened monster hunter, determined to prevent the spread. This would raise the stakes, shift genres slightly into eco-horror or action-horror, and allow for a richer character arc and world-building.
