Deep Water(2022 film)

For other films with similar titles, seeDeep WaterandDeepwater.

Deep Wateris a 2022eroticpsychological thrillerfilm directed byAdrian Lyne,from a screenplay byZach HelmandSam Levinson,based on the 1957novel of the same namebyPatricia Highsmith.The film starsBen AffleckandAna de Armas,withTracy Letts,Lil Rel Howery,Dash Mihok,Finn Wittrock,Kristen Connolly,andJacob Elordiappearing in supporting roles. It marks Lyne's return to filmmaking after a 20-year absence since his last film,Unfaithful(2002).

Deep Water
Official release poster
Directed by	Adrian Lyne
Screenplay by	Zach Helm Sam Levinson
Based on	Deep Water byPatricia Highsmith
Produced by	Arnon Milchan Guymon Casady Benjamin Forkner Anthony Katagas
Starring	Ben Affleck Ana de Armas
Cinematography	Eigil Bryld
Edited by	Tim Squyres Andrew Mondshein
Music by	Marco Beltrami
Production companies	20th Century Studios Regency Enterprises Entertainment One New Regency Keep Your Head Entertainment 360 Film Rites
Distributed by	Hulu(United States) Amazon Prime Video(International)
Release date	March 18, 2022(2022-03-18)
Running time	115 minutes
Countries	United States Canada
Language	English
Budget	$49 million

Deep Waterwas released onHuluon March 18, 2022, following several delays due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.

Plot

Melinda and Vic Van Allen live with their young daughter Trixie in Little Wesley,Louisiana.Vic has retired early after developing guidance chips for combat drones, and his complicated relationship with Melinda is held together by a precarious arrangement: they sleep apart and Melinda takes lovers openly, even in their family home, while Vic finds solace in raising his large collection of snails. Their open marriage is no secret to their concerned friends, and Vic grows increasingly jealous, while Melinda laments his lack of passion.

Melinda invites her latest lover, Joel, to a neighbour's party. Alone with Joel, Vic tells him that he murdered Melinda's previous lover Martin, who has recently disappeared. The story spreads through their circle of friends, raising the suspicions of noir writer Don Wilson. Joel comes to dinner with the Van Allen family, and Vic elaborates in private that he killed Martin with a hammer, frightening Joel into leaving town. A TV news report reveals that Martin's body has been found shot to death, and a suspect is arrested.

Vic confronts Melinda after she gives money to Charlie, her new lover and piano teacher. She invites Charlie to a friend's pool party and introduces him to Vic, toying with his jealousy. Rain sends everyone inside, leaving Vic and Charlie alone in the water. After Melinda discovers Charlie's body drowned in the pool, the party is questioned by police, and Melinda is quick to accuse Vic of murdering Charlie. He later asks if she is scared of him, and she says she is not as "I'm the one you killed for".

Don's wife Kelly tells Vic that her husband and Melinda have been accusing him of Charlie's murder. Vic discovers they have hired a private investigator to follow him and confronts Don in front of Don's family. Melinda reconnects with an old boyfriend, Tony, and Vic overhears their conversation suggesting they will move to Brazil, taking Trixie with them. She invites Tony to dinner with Vic and takes him to her bedroom, furthering Vic's jealousy.

Vic lures Tony into his car and drives him to a secluded spot he and Melinda share, overlooking a rocky gorge. He throws stones at Tony, causing him to fall down the hill to his death, and sinks his body in the creek. Melinda takes Vic and their daughter on a picnic to the same spot. Vic gives her a collection of photographs he has surreptitiously taken of her as a testament to his love, but spots Tony's body resurfaced in the creek. Returning home, he offers to go back to the spot in the morning to retrieve Melinda's lost scarf. She notifies Don, but invites Vic to share her bed that night.

The next day, Vic bikes to the creek to deal with Tony's body, but is caught in the act by Don. Don rushes away in his car to notify authorities. Vic pursues him on his bike and takes a shortcut through the brush to try to head Don off. Vic tumbles out of the bushes and falls off his bike into the car's path; texting recklessly, Don swerves to avoid Vic but drives off a cliff and is killed. At home, Melinda finds Tony's wallet in one of Vic's snailvivaria.She packs a suitcase to leave, which Trixie throws in the pool, insisting they stay. Vic arrives home, where Melinda tells him that she "saw Tony". However, she then burns Tony's wallet and ID cards.

Cast

• Ben Affleckas Vic Van Allen
• Ana de Armasas Melinda Van Allen
• Tracy Lettsas Don Wilson
• Grace Jenkins as Trixie Van Allen
• Dash Mihokas Jonas Fernandez
• Rachel Blanchardas Kristin Peterson
• Kristen Connollyas Kelly Wilson
• Jacob Elordias Charlie De Lisle
• Lil Rel Howeryas Grant
• Brendan C. Miller as Joel Dash
• Jade Fernandez as Jen Fernandez
• Finn Wittrockas Tony Cameron
• Michael Braun as Jeff Peterson
• Devyn Tyleras Mary Washington
• Michael Scialabba as Kevin Washington
• Jeff Popeas Chief Nichols
• Paul Tealas Deputy Clark
• Juliet Brett as Chelsea (Babysitter)
• Damon Lipari as Carlyle
• Joel R. Martinez as David Ricigliani
• Jaren Mitchell as John
• Ahmad Harhash as Sam

Production

The project began development in 2013, withAdrian Lyneset to direct andFox 2000 Picturesset to finance. Fox 2000 sold the rights toNew Regencyin 2018. In August 2019, the project saw new developments;Ben AffleckandAna de Armasagreed to star,withWalt Disney Studios Motion Picturesagreeing to handle the distribution via their20th Century Studioslabel.In October 2019,Tracy LettsandRachel Blanchardjoined the cast of the film.

Filming began inNew Orleanson November 4, 2019, with the additions ofDash Mihok,Lil Rel Howery,Jacob Elordi,Kristen Connolly,Jade Fernandez andFinn Wittrockto the cast.In December 2019, Michael Braun joined the cast of the film.

Release

Deep Waterwas originally scheduled to be released on November 13, 2020,but was delayed to August 13, 2021,and again to January 14, 2022.On December 9, 2021, it was taken off the release schedule.Four days later, it was reported that the film would move to aHulu-exclusive release in the United States and anAmazon Prime Video–exclusive release internationally.On February 14, 2022, it was announced that the film would be released on Hulu on March 18, 2022, and on Prime Video for a simultaneous international release.

Reception

Audience viewership

According toSamba TV,826,000 U.S. households watchedDeep Waterduring its first weekend on Hulu.According to the streaming aggregator Reelgood,Deep Waterwas the 4th most streamed movie across all platforms, during the week of March 23, 2022,the 4th during the week of March 27, 2022,and the 6th during the week of April 7, 2022.

Critical response

On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,36% of 226 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.9/10. The website's consensus reads: "Viewers desperately seeking a new erotic thriller might findDeep Waterworth a dip, but it's far from director Adrian Lyne's best work. "Metacritic,which uses aweighted average,assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 46 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.

Natalia Keogan ofPasterated the film 8 out of 10, asserting, "There's a very good chance that the film's zero-sum game will not appeal to everyone, least of all those who flip it on with the hopes of a tumultuous sex-fueled affair. More akin to the similarly Affleck-starringGone GirlthanFifty Shades of Grey—or if we're using Lyne's filmography as a reference, more akin toLolitathanAn Indecent Proposal—Deep Wateris a sweat-inducing psychological scheme that is constantly aiming to intrigue and titillate. The paperback pulp origins of Highsmith's original story are kept intact, alleviating any semblance of eye-roll worthy ridiculousness that doesn't at least try to make an interesting point. As each shocking revelation tacks on another clue in the sprawling mystery, the audience isn't sure just who or what to believe—making the film's fiery ending all the more jaw-dropping. "Rex ReedofObserver MediagaveDeep Watera grade of 3 out of 4 stars, writing, "Ben Affleck plays a diabolical husband with the calm, resolute demeanor of a mathematician solving an elaborate calculus problem. Ana de Armas plays a wife with carnal ingenuity. She keeps finding handsome new guys to reduce the boredom, and he keeps thinking up ingenious new ways to murder them. Heading the exceptional supporting cast is actor-playwright Tracy Letts, as the suspicious neighbor whose radical discovery of the truth fatally backfires. How she finally traps her husband and ends the charade gives the film its “gotcha” moment, butDeep Waterhas shock effects when and where you least expect them. It's the kind of riveting and dynamic thriller from start to finish we used to take for granted in the good old days, don't see much anymore, and could definitely use a lot more of. "

David Rooney ofThe Hollywood Reporterappreciated Lyne's return to filmmaking, but gave the film a negative review and wrote, "Lyne's take on the material, scripted without distinction by Zach Helm and Sam Levinson, manages to drain all the subtlety and psychological complexity from Highsmith's story of marital warfare, transgression and obsession."Adam Nayman ofThe Ringersaid, "Thrillers that don't quite stick the landing are common, and considering rumors of a troubled production,Deep Wateris far from a disaster—or from the salacious camp classic the online hordes seem to be clamoring for. But it's also not good enough to serve as ground zero for some larger renewal of the erotic thriller. The frustration lies in watching people who know what they're doing fail to completely pull it off; the residual feeling is one of a missed opportunity. In the funniest—and most overtlyHitchcockianmoment—Vic watches as something he'd tried his best to hide winds up coming back into plain sight. Affleck's half-guilty, half-impatient expression is hilarious, as is his half-hearted attempt to push the incriminating thing back out of view. It's the perfect emblem for a movie that isn't really trying to submerge its flaws. "

External links

• Deep WateratIMDb