Deep Water (2022)

Deep Water (2022), directed by Adrian Lyne, marks the return of the legendary erotic thriller filmmaker after a 20-year hiatus. Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, this film stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas in a dark, unsettling exploration of marriage, manipulation, and psychological tension.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: A Marriage on the Edge

The story is set in the small town of Little Wesley, Louisiana, where Vic Van Allen (Ben Affleck) and his wife Melinda (Ana de Armas) live with their young daughter Trixie. From the outside, they seem like a picture-perfect family, but it’s quickly clear that their marriage is anything but normal. Melinda regularly flaunts her affairs in front of Vic, seemingly with his tacit approval—or so it appears.

Vic is a wealthy retiree who made his fortune inventing a computer chip used in drone warfare. He is calm, reserved, and eerily tolerant of Melinda’s blatant infidelities. The town gossips, the friends raise eyebrows, and yet the couple continues their toxic tango.

Melinda’s Lovers Start Disappearing

Things take a darker turn when one of Melinda’s lovers, Malcolm McRae, mysteriously disappears. At a party, Vic jokingly claims to have killed him, and while most people laugh it off, a few—especially Don Wilson (Tracy Letts), a friend of the couple—begin to suspect there’s more to Vic’s story.

As Melinda continues bringing new lovers into her life, including a piano teacher and a bartender, the tension escalates. One by one, they meet strange fates, usually after some cryptic or passive-aggressive interaction with Vic.

The Psychological Chess Game

The heart of Deep Water is the battle of wills between Vic and Melinda. She’s provocative and reckless; he’s cold, calculating, and possibly dangerous. Melinda isn’t oblivious to Vic’s dark side. In fact, it seems to excite her. She begins to suspect him openly and even confronts him—yet continues her behavior, almost daring him to act.

Meanwhile, Don becomes obsessed with proving that Vic is a murderer. This subplot drives the story toward its climax, as suspicion grows and Vic’s composed exterior begins to crack.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Melinda takes up with yet another lover—Tony Cameron (Finn Wittrock), a former flame. Vic invites Tony on a bike ride through a forest trail and pushes him off a cliff to his death, in broad daylight. He weights the body down with rocks and sinks it in a river, thinking he’s committed the perfect crime again.

But this time, it’s sloppier. Don follows Vic to the river and sees him with Tony’s corpse. Vic, realizing he’s been seen, gives chase. Don panics, crashes his car, and dies. Vic disposes of both bodies and returns home.

Meanwhile, Melinda discovers Tony’s ID and wallet hidden in a box of Vic’s things. She now knows for certain that her husband is a killer. However, instead of turning him in, she burns the evidence—and welcomes Vic home with a smile, essentially accepting him as he is. In her own twisted way, Melinda seems to be more attracted to Vic now that he’s definitively proven what he’s capable of.

The film ends with the Van Allens riding off together, seemingly reconciled, their daughter in tow. It’s an unsettling conclusion that suggests their toxic, violent marriage is now stronger than ever.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Deep Water does not feature any post-credits scenes. The film concludes definitively with the final scene of the family leaving their home, leaving viewers to sit with the disturbing implications of the couple’s dynamic.

Type of Movie

Deep Water is an erotic psychological thriller with strong elements of mystery and noir. It blends domestic drama with dark suspense, echoing the tone of earlier Adrian Lyne works like Fatal Attraction and Unfaithful.

Cast

• Ben Affleck as Vic Van Allen
• Ana de Armas as Melinda Van Allen
• Tracy Letts as Don Wilson
• Lil Rel Howery as Nash Hall
• Dash Mihok as Jonas Fernandez
• Finn Wittrock as Tony Cameron
• Jacob Elordi as Charlie De Lisle
• Kristen Connolly as Kelly Wilson

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Marco Beltrami, known for his work in horror and thrillers (Scream, A Quiet Place). His minimalist, ominous music enhances the tension and psychological unease, especially during Vic’s moments of simmering rage.

Filming Locations

Filming took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, which provides a lush, Southern Gothic atmosphere. The backdrop of affluent suburban life amidst the swamps and rivers plays perfectly into the movie’s themes of appearances hiding rot underneath.

Awards and Nominations

Deep Water did not receive major awards or nominations. It was more discussed for the off-screen relationship between Affleck and de Armas during filming and for marking Adrian Lyne’s return to cinema.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The film was shot in 2019 but delayed due to the pandemic and underwent significant post-production changes before its 2022 release.
• Affleck and de Armas reportedly began dating during the filming, bringing additional media attention to the movie.
• Some scenes were cut or re-edited to tone down the erotic elements for streaming audiences (it was released on Hulu and Amazon Prime).
• Adrian Lyne was particular about body language and silent tension—he often shot multiple takes focusing just on expressions.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the 1957 novel “Deep Water” by Patricia Highsmith, known for The Talented Mr. Ripley and other psychological thrillers involving morally ambiguous protagonists. While the book was more subtle in its exploration of murder and repression, the film leans into eroticism and psychological warfare.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are reports of multiple deleted erotic scenes that were trimmed or removed entirely for pacing or streaming standards. Some early test screenings featured slightly different endings, with more emphasis on Melinda’s internal conflict—but the final cut focused on the sinister reunion of Vic and Melinda.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Compared to the Highsmith novel, the movie streamlines the plot and adds a more modern tone. In the book, the murders are more psychological and the protagonist less overt. The novel is more about emotional decay; the film is more direct and visually expressive, especially in portraying the erotic and suspenseful elements.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Vic threatening Melinda’s lover at the party, and then joking about having killed a previous one.
• The piano scene, where Melinda drunkenly flirts while Vic watches silently.
• Vic riding through the forest with Tony—his slow, quiet build-up to murder is chilling.
• The moment Melinda finds Tony’s ID and silently decides to burn it.

Iconic Quotes

• Vic: “If you were married to anyone else, you’d be so bored, you’d kill yourself.”
• Melinda: “You’re not a bad man. But you do bad things.”
• Don Wilson: “You think you’re smarter than everyone else. But you’re not. You’re just quieter.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The snail collection Vic keeps is symbolic—slow, slimy, and always carrying their shell, just like him.
• The book Melinda reads at one point is The Talented Mr. Ripley—a direct Highsmith nod.
• The recurring presence of water (pools, rivers, rain) reflects themes of drowning, concealment, and emotional suffocation.

Trivia

• Ben Affleck said he was drawn to the role because of its moral ambiguity.
• Ana de Armas called the script “like a dance between control and chaos.”
• The film was originally set for a theatrical release but was moved to streaming due to delays and Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Studios.

Why Watch?

If you’re a fan of slow-burn thrillers with a heavy dose of psychological tension and sensual mind games, Deep Water is a must-watch. It’s also a showcase of Adrian Lyne’s distinct directorial style—one that’s been absent from cinema for two decades. The performances, especially by Affleck and de Armas, are layered and haunting.

Director’s Other Movies

• Fatal Attraction (1987)
• Indecent Proposal (1993)
• Unfaithful (2002)
• 9½ Weeks (1986)
• Lolita (1997)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Gone Girl (2014) – Another Affleck-led thriller about a broken marriage.
• Unfaithful (2002) – A more emotional, tragic take on infidelity.
• Eyes Wide Shut (1999) – For the psychological tension and marital drama.
• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) – Also based on Highsmith’s work.
• Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) – Another toxic relationship, with more overt danger.