Patricia Highsmith’s writing has always made for excellent cinema. Alfred Hitchcock’s “Strangers On A Train,” Todd Hayne’s “Carol,” and Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” are all prime examples of how well Highsmith’s work carries over to the big screen. However, 2016’s “A Kind Of Murder,” the last adaptation of her work, received only a limited release and a lukewarm reception from critics.
Maybe the latest one, “Deep Water,” will fare better. Given its leading cast, that’s more than likely. Based on Highsmith’s 1957 novel of the same name, the new film stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as Vic and Melinda Van Allen, a married couple whose union is on its last legs. When Melinda’s lovers start to turn up dead, Vic becomes the prime suspect in their murders; but that’s just the surface of the couple’s deadly mind games…
Alongside Affleck and de Armas, “Deep Water” also stars Tracy Letts, Rachel Blanchard, Lil Rel Howery, Finn Wittrock, Jacob Elordi, Dash Mihok, and Kristen Connelly. Jade Fernandez, Michael Braun, and Michael Scialabba round out the main cast.
“Deep Water” is the first film by director Adrian Lyne in twenty years. Known for his erotic thrillers like “9 1/2 Weeks,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Unfaithful,” Lyne began development on the Highsmith adaptation back in 2013 before numerous hang-ups put the project on hiatus. Lyne directs a script by Zach Helm and “Malcolm & Marie” writer/director Sam Levison.
Affleck and de Armas began dating after working on “Deep Water” but broke up after only a year in early 2021. “Deep Water” was initially scheduled for a January 14, 2022 release via 20th Century Studios but has been adjusted now to a March 18 release on Hulu, which could hint at the viability of its not-ready-for-theatrical-primetime-ness or just a function of this now-ruthless business. Watch the trailer below.