Directed by: Chris Kentis
Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Michael E. Williamson, Saul Stein
Other mistake: The couple are shown travelling on an American Eagle prop plane in the islands, but on-board you see them sitting together with another lady sitting on the left of Susan. The prop planes don't seat 3 together. This shot must have been filmed across the aisle on a larger jet. (00:03:25)
Other mistake: There are 20 divers counted onto the boat. They all head into the water in 2s, but somehow there is 1 person left without a diving buddy.
Visible crew/equipment: When Susan tries on a hat while the couple are shopping in the island town, you can see the cameraman in her mirrored shades. (00:06:00)
Daniel: Other people go on vacation and spend their days just lying around. We have a story we're going to be telling for the rest of our lives.
Trivia: No digital- or special effects were used in the film. The actors were in the water with real live sharks.
Suggested correction: You can see the edges of the pool the actors are in when there are "ships" on the horizon.
Not true. The film was shot on location, for three weeks, off the coast of The Bahamas. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2004/08/open-water-sharks-fear-real/#close.
Question: Where is the film set and where can I read up about the true story?
Answer: The film was inspired by an incident at St Crispin's Reef, a dive site on the Great Barrier Reef in 1998, when Tom and Eileen Lonergan was left behind by their diving boat after an error was made during the headcount. They were never seen again. More information can be found at http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200310/200310_mysteries_2.html.