The new Amazon Prime Video original film, ‘The Devil’s Mouth,’ follows a group of college friends whose post-graduation trip to Thailand takes a perilous turn when they become trapped in a cave with a hungry shark. Directed by Jeff Wadlow and written by Aja Gabel and Myung Joh Wesner, the survival thriller stars Kathryn Newton, known for her roles in horror films like ‘Freaky’ and ‘Ready or Not 2.’
Plot Summary
The film centers on five friends: Sara (Newton), Max (Lana Condor), James (Nico Hiraga), Greg (Gavin Casalegno), and Adrienne (Tommi Rose). Shortly after graduation, they embark on a trip to Thailand. Tensions arise between the adventurous Max, the group's self-proclaimed leader, and the more cautious Sara. Max's impulsive nature leads to Sara being stung by jellyfish, but Sara forgives her friend, recalling Max's support after her father's death. Coincidentally, Sara's father died exploring a cave in Thailand, the very cave the friends plan to visit.
Guided by Wat (Tayme Thapthimthong), the group prepares to snorkel through ‘The Devil’s Mouth’ cave. A recent storm surge has closed the cave, and the more challenging "red path" is off-limits. Despite warnings, Max insists on exploring this route, with Sara reluctantly agreeing. Before their tour, a scuba diver advises Sara to look down if she gets scared, and he will wink at her with his flashlight.
Inside the cave, Wat grows increasingly anxious as the group proceeds. He warns them about the cave's instability and the potential for collapse. Adrienne cuts her leg, prompting Wat to urge an immediate departure, but Max again intervenes, wanting to continue. The group witnesses a bioluminescent phenomenon, but their awe is shattered when the scuba diver surfaces with a damaged mask, revealing a shark has entered the cave due to the storm surge. Wat abandons the group, leaving them stranded.
The Climax and Resolution
As the shark begins to attack, picking off the friends one by one, Max and Sara argue about the best escape strategy, with Sara consistently yielding to Max's plans. Eventually, only Sara and Max remain.
Sara, fed up with Max's poor judgment, decides to pursue her own escape plan through a "hatch" exit at the top of the cave. Max, injured, cannot climb and insists on accompanying Sara. Sara agrees to help Max ascend, tying a rope around her. However, the shark attacks, grabbing Max and dragging Sara down with her. Realizing she must save herself, Sara unties herself from Max, who is then killed by the shark.
Sara then decides to confront the shark. Recalling Wat's warning about the cave's instability, she lures the shark towards her with her blood. When the shark leaps out of the water to attack, Sara evades it, causing the cave to collapse on the creature. Sara survives the cave-in and escapes to freedom, having learned to trust her own judgment over her friends' reckless impulses. The film concludes with Sara emerging from the cave.