Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
There comes a point in everyone’s life when you have to make a decision about the direction you’re going to take. For newly-18 American fashion model Cora, that time is now. She’s moved to an Australian coastal town to be with her favourite aunt, after a 'fashion faux pas’ back home.
Rip Tide is a straightforward coming-of-age family drama that follows a well-worn formula: a young person escapes pressure, finds themselves in a new environment, and learns what truly matters. The plot is predictable and offers little surprise, hitting familiar beats of teen self-discovery and family reconnection. Acting is serviceable but unremarkable, typical of mid-tier family productions. Cinematography earns above-average marks thanks to the appealing Australian coastal scenery and surfing sequences, which provide some visual charm. Novelty is low — the modeling-world-meets-small-town-life premise is thoroughly recycled, and the film adds little distinctive voice or conception to the genre. The ending resolves neatly but unsurprisingly, consistent with the formulaic approach throughout.