Most reviewers see it as a "sequel in name only," noting that it was originally a standalone film titled that was rebranded to cash in on the Open Water The "Frustration" Factor:
Most people haven't been hunted by a Great White, but many have forgotten a key or locked themselves out of somewhere. Adrift takes that everyday anxiety and amplifies it to a lethal degree. Production and Reception Open Water 2- Adrift -2006-