Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE DEEP DARK [Fantastic Fest 2023 - Austin, Texas]

The essence of digging into the earth likely has the impediment of perhaps stumbling upon something long buried over the eons. "The Deep Dark" starts off in the late 1800s which would seem like an interesting perspective considering the superstition of the era. One would even think the consternation of witches in the Dark Ages would be even better but this alas is not the path. This film in its approach jumps to 1953 to take place in mines in the North of France. The story takes place through the eyes of a young Arabian man: Amir just looking to make it in the world but through his ambition and his overreaching desperation, he is assigned to one of the darkest dankest mines (The Devil's Pit) in the nation where many perish within days (those we never quite feel that danger at the beginning). The ragtag group he gets assigned to is led by Roland (Samuel Le Behan) who keeps everyone on point. However pretty much close to the inset, he is assigned to a mission that is both off grid but also profitable to take a professor from a prominent university deep into the mines for samples. While the dig goes down 800 meters, the professor wants to go down to 1000 by blasting out of new chambers.

The Professor himself is unaware of the dangers and the push to go down seems happenstance despite the academic's assertation that there might be an ancient civilation hidden in the bowels of this area. However we are given no real historical context for the intensity of the investigation. Nevertheless the team repels down into a cavern and the texture of prey in a closer environment begins. One of the most effective elements at the beginning of the story is establishing the team from Polo (who always smiles) to Santini (who smells they say like he sounds). However when they get lower everything gets more serious though more humor (like "Aliens") would have done the film a little better. The use of darkness and claustrophobia with the twirling essence of flashlights actually ratchets up the possibilities when the creature starts hunting them. What bends the story in a better way is a context later on with what the creature actually wants. If there was more context or flashbacks to push towards this it might have given the film a more ethereal or existential context (like "The Green Knight" for example). The communication though happens fairly late in the narrative.

Amir, the Arabian man, played by Amir El Kacem is an idealist that even in the face of danger and certain death stands up for the morality of his soul against a being that considers itself a God. However what is interesting in a way (without giving the spoiler) is the choice that is given. The practical effects especially with the brutality the creature displays against the men is quite primal but also mostly and purely practical which gives it more of an organic feel especially in a place dusted with sand and soot through and through. As the progression propels forward, the notion of existing or survival (as happens in these movies) is brought into question. One cannot helps in this scenario, (especially within what is essentially a no-win situation) how does one act, be decisive or let things sit where they may in the face of something power that they undeniably do not understand. "The Deep Dark" speaks to the dangers that lurk deep in the past of the planet with millions of years to ponder the nature of what it means to live...or die. B

By Tim Wassberg