Deep Water (2022)

Vic (Ben Affleck) and Melinda Van Allen (Ana de Armas) are in a loving, passionate relationship–and they both love one another endlessly. At least that’s how it initially appears. When the supposed beautiful relationship begins to spiral, the couple finds themselves in Deep Water, struggling to stay afloat. Can they save their marriage, or has one of them gone so far that it’s irreparable?

Affleck has seemed to hit a stride in his already illustrious career. In the past few years the world has seen him in films such as Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Tender Bar, and The Last Duel–and now, Deep Water. Beyond just finding himself in these wonderful films, Affleck has rejuvenated his career and his following, as each of his most recent performances are brilliant. Deep Water sees him, once again, take center stage and guide the way for viewers throughout the entirety of the film. He’s cunning, charming, and interestingly energetic–and without Affleck and his vigor and prowess, I’m not sure that the film holds much water. Deep Water is uniquely erotic; it’s full of passion, sex, and murder–each of which is folded on top of one another, creating something brilliantly original and titillating. There’s a sexual tension that exists throughout the film’s entirety, and de Armas leads the way down this path. She’s certainly not the only reason that sexual tension and arousal exists throughout Deep Water, but she’s integral to this aspect of the film finding success.

Tension in general exists like a dark fog throughout the film, and a good portion of that, beyond Affleck and de Armas’ acting, stems from the film’s score. Somber, pensive, intense, and harrowing is the score that Marco Beltrami creates, and what he creates is inviting. This score helps make the film as brilliant as it is, because it reflects the tone and the mood of every single second of Deep Water. The score runs perfectly parallel to the narrative–and it adds meaning to the story. But that’s not the only brilliant aspect of the film. Water, too, plays a pivotal role in this story–which isn’t surprising given the title of the film. But like being caught in a rainstorm or having wet jeans, Deep Water is uncomfortable, and Director Adrian Lyne uses water to represent this throughout the film. Viewers feel that they are drowning, struggling to stay afloat, just like the characters. Viewers are welcomed into the story because they feel what the characters feel, and as the film came to a close, my heart raced, and every minute that the cast and crew spent pulling viewers into the story pays off.

Something that always impresses me with writing in a film is when the writer (in this case Zac Helm, Sam Levinson, and Patricia Highsmith) can make viewers root for the bad guy–even when he/she is wrong. That’s what happens here in Deep Water. I won’t reveal who the film's baddie is for the sake of spoilers, but when that person is revealed, just know that you will be on their side. I found myself hoping that this person would prevail, and that the others who stand toe-to-toe against them will ultimately fail. This aspect of the film is enticing, and it allows viewers to regularly contemplate where their allegiances lie, and this mirrors reality.

Deep Water is brilliant, and it’s just one of many recent films that has allowed the world to see how incredibly talented Affleck is. He, along with the erotic nature and the score, is the driving force behind Deep Water. Deep Water is dark, electric, fun, and stressful–everything needed to make a great thriller. By the end of the film viewers are rooting for the bad guy, allowing them to feel like they may have some skin in the game, and Deep Water never relents throughout its entirety. This is one of the best films of 2022, and I genuinely believe that this film should have been recognized during the 2023 award season.

Directed by Adrian Lyne.

Written by Zach Helm, Sam Levinson, & Patricia Highsmith.

Starring Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts, Grace Jenkins, Dash Mihok, Rachel Blanchard, Kristen Connolly, Jacob Elordi, Lil Rel Howery, Brendan Miller, Jade Fernandez, Finn Wittrock, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10