Quicksand still mostly works on a primal level as a survival story.

Despite the actors’ best efforts, the film gets bogged down by trite writing and over-direction.

Director Andrés Beltrán and writer Matt Pitts approach the B-movie concept with a seriousness for their efficient thriller, placing relevance on the emotional stakes for its leads over jungle thrills. It leaves the thrills underplotted, however.

In the latest horror outing to remind you to always pack a snorkel, Quicksand gives us all one more reason never to go outdoors.