⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Review of WATERLOGGED
A tightly executed, high-impact action short with daring choreography, strong visuals, and an immersive sound design that puts viewers directly into the character’s struggle.
WATERLOGGED, directed by Kent Lloyd, is a visceral and intense action short that wastes no time throwing viewers straight into the danger. From the opening moments, the film grips the audience with sharp, relentless pacing and a commitment to physical storytelling that comes from a director deeply rooted in stunt coordination and movement-based performance.
The premise is simple and effective: a cop, trapped underwater with her confidential informants, must find a way out before it’s too late. What follows is an atmospheric, suffocating, action-driven sequence of survival that relies heavily on physicality, tension, and environmental danger.
Judges had a lot of praise for the film’s action craft.
- Beth highlighted how action-packed the film was from start to finish, noting the excellent fight scenes and the stylized sound choices that reflected the protagonist’s condition.
- Jake loved the film’s flow, calling the photography “smooth and crisp” while praising the badass action that kept him hooked.
- Leonard echoed the sentiment, describing the short as having “everything” an action piece needs — top-notch lighting, strong cinematography, excellent pacing, and a soundscape that felt intentionally designed to reflect the main character’s waterlogged perspective.
The auditory design is one of the film’s boldest creative choices. With muffled audio and disorientation representing the aftermath of waterboarding and underwater struggle, the sound works with the audience’s senses rather than against them — creating an immersive, subjective experience. Lloyd explains in his director’s statement that the goal was to build an auditory action piece inspired by his background in live dance performance and the sensory-driven style of Daredevil Season 2. This approach pays off, adding depth and authenticity to an already tense scenario.
Kent Lloyd’s background shows throughout the film. A seasoned Stunt Coordinator since 2009, with a history in acting, dance, advertising, and large-scale creative direction, Lloyd brings a rare blend of performance expertise and visual clarity to the project. His work founding Utah Valley Self Defense and launching the state’s only Stunts for Film class further cements his understanding of movement, choreography, and action storytelling.
The involvement of his stunt class — especially Monica, Rayla, and Tennyson — is evident in the intricate, hard-hitting choreography and costume design. This was a collaborative piece built from the ground up through physical action rather than dialogue, resulting in a film that feels dynamic, intentional, and crafted with love for the action genre.
WATERLOGGED is a standout action short that delivers cinematic tension, impressive stunt work, and an audio-visual style that pulls viewers directly into the character’s fight for survival. It’s a testament to what passionate stunt performers and an experienced coordinator can create together.
A must-watch for action fans — and a clear showcase of Kent Lloyd’s growing impact as a filmmaker.
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