Deep Water

Deep Water

Year: 2022

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Adrian Lyne

Echo Score: 46

Budget: $49M

DramaMysteryThriller

Vic and Melinda Van Allen's marriage is a strained and loveless arrangement, maintained by a complex agreement. To appease Melinda and avoid conflict, Vic allows her to pursue relationships with other men. However, as Melinda's desires escalate and the number of lovers increases, Vic finds himself increasingly isolated and drawn into a dangerous game of deception, with his frustration and desperation building to a breaking point.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Deep Water yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Deep Water (2022)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Deep Water (2022). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film's timeline is contemporary, presenting modern issues of infidelity, jealousy, and social intrigue. It reflects the dynamics of a dysfunctional marriage in the current era, where open relationships and complicated personal histories collide.

Location

Little Wesley, Louisiana

Little Wesley is a quaint small town in Louisiana, known for its tight-knit community and slower pace of life. It serves as the backdrop for the complex, troubled relationship of the Van Allen family, highlighting the secrets and tensions that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.

🏡 Small Town 🌾 Rural

Last Updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:30

Main Characters – Deep Water (2022)

Meet the key characters of Deep Water (2022), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vic Van Allen (Ben Affleck)

Vic is a retired robotics engineer who wrestles with immense feelings of jealousy and inadequacy as his wife Melinda seeks relationships with other men. His obsessive love for Melinda leads him to commit unthinkable acts, revealing a darker, vengeful side masked by his calm exterior.

😠 Jealousy 👨‍🔧 Engineer 🥀 Troubled

Melinda Van Allen (Ana de Armas)

Melinda is a beautiful yet emotionally detached woman who craves passion and excitement while neglecting her family responsibilities. Her reckless behavior in pursuing relationships outside her marriage ultimately leads to turmoil and tragic events.

💃 Seductive 🌪️ Unstable 👩‍👧 Mother

Trixie Van Allen (Grace Jenkins)

Trixie is the young daughter of Vic and Melinda, who finds solace in her father's affections amidst a chaotic family environment. She embodies innocence and is often the emotional bridge between her parents, affecting their choices in profound ways.

👧 Innocent 💖 Bonded 🌼 Daughter

Don Wilson (Tracy Letts)

Don is a noir writer who becomes suspicious of Vic amidst the escalating tensions in their social circle. His inquisitive nature leads him to uncover dark secrets, playing a pivotal role in the tragic unfolding of events.

🖋️ Writer 🕵️‍♂️ Inquisitive 🔍 Suspicious

Charlie De Lisle (Jacob Elordi)

Charlie serves as Melinda's next lover, embodying youthful charm and being the catalyst for jealousy in Vic. His flirtatious nature makes him a target of Vic's rage, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.

🎹 Pianist 💔 Tempting 🚷 Targeted

Last Updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:30

Major Themes – Deep Water (2022)

Explore the central themes of Deep Water (2022), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Jealousy

Jealousy is a central theme in 'Deep Water,' portrayed through Vic's growing frustration with Melinda's numerous affairs. This emotion drives him to desperate actions that lead to catastrophic consequences, showcasing the darker sides of human relationships and the psychological toll of envy.

🔪 Murder

The theme of murder looms over the film as Vic confesses to past crimes while grappling with his overwhelming jealousy. It explores how hidden motives and sinister actions can emerge from a place of emotional turmoil, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.

🔥 Passion

Passion, or the lack thereof, drives the narrative. Melinda's need for excitement and Vic's intense feelings highlight the complexities of their relationship. While Melinda seeks passion outside their marriage, Vic’s fixation on her reveals the destructive nature of desire and its implications.

Last Updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:30

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically unfold with a steady, deliberate pace, placing flawed characters in high-pressure situations—often within relationships or homes—that gradually deteriorate. The conflict is internal and psychological, with external events serving as catalysts for a character's moral decay or violent breaking point.

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These movies are grouped by their shared use of slow, steady pacing to create immense psychological pressure. They prioritize mood and character-driven tension over fast-paced action, resulting in a deeply unsettling and immersive viewing experience defined by dread rather than jump scares.

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Dark tales of love twisted into dangerous, co-dependent games.For viewers who liked the twisted dynamic in Deep Water, this collection features similar stories of toxic relationships and moral decay. Discover films about marriages and partnerships defined by psychological games, jealousy, and dangerous co-dependence.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a couple or pair whose relationship is the central source of conflict. Their bond is destructive, often escalating through games of power, deception, or even crime. The journey is one of moral decay, where characters become complicit in each other's darkest actions, leading to ambiguous or bleak resolutions.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on relationships that are both central to the plot and fundamentally toxic. They share a dark tone, high emotional weight, and themes of jealousy, manipulation, and the blurred lines between love and possession.

Unlock the Full Story of Deep Water

Don't stop at just watching — explore Deep Water in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Deep Water is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Deep Water Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Deep Water, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Deep Water Summary

Deep Water Timeline

Track the full timeline of Deep Water with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Deep Water Timeline

Deep Water Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Deep Water? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Deep Water Ending Explained

Deep Water Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Deep Water that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Deep Water Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Deep Water

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Deep Water: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Deep Water

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