‘Deep Water’ is the latest crime thriller/drama mystery film on Hulu/Prime starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas. It is based on the novel “Deep Water” by Patricia Highsmith, although hardly matching its quality. The premise is an interesting one, so is the cast. But they ultimately aren’t enough to save the tepid writing and predictable ending. The material defect in the adaptation is the lack of reproduction of psychological complexities that made the novel so good. For those looking forward to sensual erotica, there is plenty of airtime of Armas looking gorgeous. But for purists, this might be skippable.
Deep Water: Cast
The cast of Deep Water is composed of big stars. Ben Affleck takes a similar role as a tormented husband, but this time, with a twist. Ana de Armas stars Melinda, Affleck’s Vic’s wife. The supporting cast mostly remains on the fringes with Tracy Letts, Kristen Connolly, and Lil Howery. The matchup is odd-looking. Affleck and Armas are not paired to produce traditional romance or chemistry, but the casting makes it on point.
Deep Water: Plot and Story
Vic (Affleck) and Melinda (Armas) are a wealthy, albeit dysfunctional, couple with a child, Trixie. In the open relationship, it is Melinda who takes several lovers, while Vic, who is seemingly content with the arrangement, churns in quiet jealousy. Then, mysteriously, Melinda’s partners leave the town or go missing. It is suspected that Vic might have something to do with it, but the truth comes out when a crime novelist, Don, is introduced to the story.
Deep Water: Themes and Analysis
There are obvious comparisons with ‘Gone Girl,’ as the film trudges on. There are elements of storytelling that bear a strong resemblance, although the former is the superior work. The film dramatizes marital warfare functioning on predicates such as identity crisis, jealousy, and sensationalism. The problem it has is bringing out the novel’s themes in its exposition, which is glaringly weak. You can see for a moment what director Adrian Lyne is going for, but in the end, the result is not satisfying.
He relies more on the visual allure of watching Affleck and Armas instead of weaponizing the ghastly psychological subtlety of the literary material. ‘Deep Water’ comes off as hollow due to this creative choice. Lyne’s storytelling comes up frustratingly short of producing what could have been an interesting modern addition to the genre.
Whether to Watch This Movie or Not?
Deep Water is a mixed bag, with its current IMDB rating of 6.3. It becomes interesting in patches and threatens to break free of mediocrity but cannot do so. The quagmire suffers from passionate execution and hence loses steam midway. Depending on your preferences, ‘Deep Water’ just passes through as a one-time watch.
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