The Bay

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The Bay

R

Released Nov 2, 2012

1h 24m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The residents of a seaside Maryland community become the unfortunate hosts of mutant, waterborne parasites that take control of their minds and bodies.

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Critics Consensus

Barry Levinson's eco-horror flick cleverly utilizes familiar found-footage methods in service of a gruesome yet atmospheric chiller.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

This disgustingly suspenseful yarn got under my skin, and I kept shivering long after I left the theatre.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 24, 2022

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David Gritten

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Gruesome but oddly riveting.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2013

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Seeking to merge the conventions of found-footage horror with targeted social commentary, the film does its job with some skill ...

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2013

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Falls short of expectations both as a found-footage horror movie and as a creature feature.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 22, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

When, after the film and a web search or two, audiences begin to read about the real problems of Chesapeake Bay, Levinson’s intent becomes apparent.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 21, 2022

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Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

An effective little chiller. Levinson burrows right under your skin (har har) with a mounting squickiness

Jul 2, 2021

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Green C

Very realistic and frightening.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

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Sean F

To start off, I'm one of the few people that actually really likes found footage. This is a classic creature feature using environmental issues as the basis for the disaster. It's really good in a lot of areas, especially in world building and the multitude of camera sources. Unfortunately where it falls short is with the main actress. She is just awful. She's trying to overact in every scene, and it completely takes you out of the film every time she's in frame. She's obviously thinking it's her big break in acting and thinks she's doing something, when in reality she's just by far the worst actor in the film. Everyone else sells it great. I can't understand how she got so much screentime. Even her voice overs were over the top. Without her in it this would be a 5.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

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Audience Member

Genious! Rarely felt this uncomfortable watching a movie like that! This will possibly haunt me a while.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

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Jonathan O

The Bay is really disturbing scary found footage creature horror film. It may be very disturb and too intense and not for weak heart and weak stomach audiences but it really does feel it can happen on pandemic era. And really good camera work there's some camera shaking moments but it really captures the documentary style and terrific editing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Dan R

Found footage horror films can vary in quality but 2012's 'The Bay' is one of the best. And the most grounded. SYNOPSIS: 'Chaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs.' An eco horror film might not sound like it's your thing but 'The Bay' manages to merge gruesome horror with some strong social commentary. It's stupidly suspenseful, especially once you get an idea on what's coming, and unlike a lot of found footage films it actually makes some sort of sense. The special effects are excellent throughout and at no point are you made to feel like anything you see is fake. This could be real. A film made on this budget has no right to be this good. But it is. It's maybe the best found footage film ever. 9/10

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Gaming U

Movie is awesome as heck

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

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Barry Levinson

Director

Will Rogers

Alex

Kristen Connolly

Stephanie

Kether Donohue

Donna Thompson

Frank Deal

Mayor John Stockman

Stephen Kunken

Dr. Jack Abrams

The Bay: Official Clip - Too Much Pain

1:32

The Bay: Official Clip - If You Find This Tape

2:00

The Bay: Official Clip - They're Eating Their Flesh

2:00

The Bay: Official Clip - Help Me

1:38

The Bay: Official Clip - Go Away!

1:58

The Bay: Official Clip - Something Really Bad

2:21

The Bay: Official Clip - The Last Swim

1:58

The Bay: Official Clip - Bacterial Infection

1:46

The Bay: Official Clip - Bring Me to a Hospital

1:24

The Bay: Official Clip - Never Been So Scared

1:27

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Synopsis

The residents of a seaside Maryland community become the unfortunate hosts of mutant, waterborne parasites that take control of their minds and bodies.

Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Barry Levinson, Jason Blum, Steven Schneider, Oren Peli
Screenwriter: Michael Wallach
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Haunted Movies, Automatik Entertainment
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Content|Bloody Images|Language)
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2014
Runtime: 1h 24m

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