Leviathan (1989): Claustrophobia and the Crushing Weight of Corporate Neglect

Okay, so I watched Leviathan (1989) again last night and I've been thinking about it all day. It's not a great movie, let's be real, but it's got some seriously effective atmosphere. What really gets me isn't just the monster effects (which, admittedly, are pretty gnarly in spots), but the way the cinematography and set design work to create this overwhelming sense of dread. Everything is so cramped and utilitarian. You're constantly reminded that these people are stuck in this metal box at the bottom of the ocean, completely reliant on their employer to survive. That's the real horror, isn't it? Specifically, I was paying attention to the lighting this time. It's almost always harsh and artificial, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, casting long shadows in the corners. It never feels like there's anywhere to escape the gaze of the camera, which mirrors the characters' feeling of being trapped and observed by the corporation, too. And the way the camera lingers on the exposed pipes and machinery... it's like the whole base is slowly falling apart, a testament to the company cutting corners and prioritizing profit over the safety of its employees. The scene where they discover the Russian ship is brilliantly shot, all murky visibility and a growing sense of wrong. I think what's cool is that you can read the monster itself as a physical manifestation of that corporate greed. It's a direct result of their careless actions, bringing something dangerous back to the base without fully understanding it. And the fact that it's a grotesque, ever-changing amalgamation of the crew... it's like the company is literally consuming them, turning them into something monstrous. Maybe that's reading too much into it, but I really feel like there's a subtle commentary on the dangers of unchecked corporate power lurking beneath the surface (pun intended!). Ultimately, Leviathan is a pretty effective (though flawed) creature feature held back by poor directing, but the cinematography and set design create a really incredible sense of dread and are worth exploring for that aspect alone! What are your thoughts on the film?