Deep Water (2022 film)

Deep Water is a 2022 American erotic psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne, based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. The screenplay was written by Zach Helm and Sam Levinson. The film stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as a married couple whose mind games with each other take a twisted turn when people around them start turning up dead.

The story revolves around Vic Van Allen (Affleck) and Melinda Van Allen (de Armas), an affluent but unhappy couple in a small Louisiana town. To avoid divorce, they maintain their marriage with an unusual arrangement: Melinda is allowed to have affairs, but she must be open about them with Vic. However, as Melinda flaunts her relationships and Vic's jealousy grows, rumors begin to spread that Vic is responsible for the disappearances and deaths of Melinda's lovers. The film explores themes of jealousy, manipulation, and the destructive nature of a dysfunctional relationship.

The film had a troubled production history. It was initially set for release in November 2020 but was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Ultimately, Deep Water was released in the United States on March 18, 2022, on Hulu. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Affleck and de Armas but criticized the film's pacing and lack of suspense. Despite the mixed critical reception, it generated significant interest due to the real-life relationship between the two lead actors during filming.