IR Film Review: DEEP [Netflix]

The texture of "Deep", a psychological thriller of sorts from Thailand that Netflix acquired is interesting in its mix of new tech, almost "Escape Room" ideas mixed with "Flatliners" and a grounded focus that makes sense. While the eventual thrust gets a little bit melodramatic, the journey of the key 4 characters led by Jane, a student with insomnia who just wants to make some extra money to help her grandmother, allows the film to balance itself. The film is based on a time structure which gives its pace. While the other female character in the group is defined (she is an influencer), the two boys (a bad boy with a heart of gold and a nerd whose family seems to be rich) are less defined. Without giving away the twist, Deep is the name of a German company doing medical research in Thailand according to the set up. While this retreats a little bit in the exposition, the opening shot is supposed to create a pay off later.

The research goal in what the 4 characters are brought in to do is more a Macguffin than anything real and the eventual intent is well meaning but a let down. It is actually one scene after an all night pool party for the 4 with mocktails (stimulants mixed in) that brings the film a bit of tension but it doesn't maintain. The intent does tend to be draped in a bit of falseness (just the layering of the plot). But again the 4 characters plus an extra sibling do provide the necessary reasoning to make the plot move. The ending is a a bit anti-climactic since the tech needed a little more of a payoff. "Deep" is an interesting concept (in many ways) but ultimately does lose its footing as it moves forward. C

By Tim Wassberg