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Deep Sea

Play trailer 1:29 Poster for Deep Sea PG-13 Released Nov 24, 2023 1h 52m Fantasy Adventure Animation Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Shenxiu was abandoned by her mother when she was a child. Since then, she has bad dreams about a monster called "Nightmare". One day, she travels on a cruise ship with her family. On a stormy night, she sees "Nightmare" on the deck, humming her mother's song and calling her to the sea. She falls and breaks into the fancy "Deep Sea" restaurant, an old transformed submarine. She meets the Chef, Nanhe, and embarks on a mysterious journey.
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Deep Sea

Critics Reviews

View All (26) Critics Reviews
Phuong Le Guardian Despite the tonal unevenness, however, the mix of hyperreal 3D animation and impressionistic compositions using the techniques of Chinese painting is unique to behold, like a tableaux roused into breathtaking life. Rated: 3/5 Jun 4, 2024 Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall Truly groundbreaking, this astonishing animated adventure from China is worth seeing on the big screen for its outrageously eye-catching imagery. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 11, 2024 Full Review Steve Morrissey Radio Times The result is a vivid, phantasmagoric spectacular that occasionally threatens to leave the actual story behind but which contains enough humour, action and drama to satisfy most tastes. Rated: 4/5 Jun 7, 2024 Full Review David Hogan Anime UK News Some of the vistas and set-pieces are as close to literally breath-taking as a film has ever taken me, which is good because it lifted the otherwise generic plot to the point I was still glued to the screen right to the credits. Rated: 8/10 May 31, 2024 Full Review Carla Monfort Espinof While it does not reach the potential the beginning promised, 'Deep Sea' is a nice adventure, which flies especially high in its animation -- one of the best and most beautiful that we will probably see this year. [Full review in Spanish] May 13, 2024 Full Review Peter Martin EverythingButHorror.com Frankly, brought me to tears. ... Anyone who loves animation, in general, though, will be struck by the unique and tasty soup of influences, styles, and storytelling techniques. It's definitely worth checking out. Apr 29, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (8) audience reviews
Audience Member I couldn't watch it which pains me because the animation work is stunning, but it's exaggerated with too many details that pass way too fast. The storytelling is off and doesn't make sense. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Jen M Gave this a try as it caught my eye, and I wasn’t disappointed. The plot was a little bit hard to follow at times but the animation and mix of beautiful sets/artistic styles had me glued to the end. It was a joy to watch and in the end, not such a bad story. Emotional rollercoaster. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/25/24 Full Review Yonotaru K c'est bien, j'aime bien Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/02/24 Full Review Audience Member Horrible movie. All over the place. Don’t waste your time. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/28/24 Full Review Ragnhild S The movie is absolutely amazing. I absolutely recommend watching it. I personally didn't have high hopes when I went to see it, but after having watched it I needed 5 minutes before I could even move from where I was seated. This is a must watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Ewan Hey im a french spectator, im sorry for some of my mistake in the translation of this review ! Last night, I went to the cinema as I have a subscription and regularly attend screenings in my city. Walking into the cinéma, I didn't have high expectations, truth be told, I hadn't even watched the entire trailer for "Deep Sea.". Yet, by the end of the screening, I was spellbound, marveling at this exceptional work. Later, checking out reviews, I was surprised to see some giving it only 2 stars, arguing it was "visually overwhelming and exhausting for parents.". How can one fault a piece of such beauty and technical complexity for being so remarkable? Anyway, let's get back to my thoughts. If I were to summarize "Deep Sea" in a few words, I'd say: Its storytelling is profound and immersive. It masters the art to perfection. Its visual splendor is breathtaking. Touching. This film deeply moved me. Every moment was captivating, and the plot twist was subtly orchestrated, reinforcing the moral depth of the work. Now, I'll delve into certain plot details to support my arguments. [spoiler] Firstly, I'm fascinated by the quality of the production in "Deep Sea". The CGI effects are incredibly well executed, offering striking facial expressions. The special effects and visuals are breathtaking, with beautifully executed graphical changes, especially when Nanhe recounts where he used to live via the projector. Additionally, I noticed subtle references to real works of art, such as landscapes reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh's aesthetics, as well as motifs inspired by the SUPERFLAT artistic movement. Regarding the story, while Shenxiu's mother's narrative arc may seem simple at first glance, it resonates deeply. It's important to recognize that the reactions of this harassed and rejected little girl are understandably simple, sometimes naive or irrational. Despite this, I managed to become attached to both Shenxiu and Nanhe. The character development is remarkably well done; Nanhe evolves from the initial antagonist to a complex protagonist, while Shenxiu matures gradually, gaining confidence in herself and discovering her own worth. Her moment of truth, when she finally acts out of her own will rather than following others like a puppet, is poignant and powerful, marking her transformation into a full-fledged heroine. [/spoiler] To conclude this review by delving into the substance of the film, I want to highlight the numerous subtle messages it contains. Some are obvious, like the metaphor of depression, accompanied by the comforting moral reminding us that it is crucial to maintain hope, even in the darkest moments, because things will eventually improve. However, I also perceived a darker metaphor, evoking the themes of suicide and death. [spoiler] It seems that the dream world is not simply a protective construction of the mind to dissipate the traumas related to the initial incident, but rather a striking reflection of paradise. This interpretation becomes particularly apparent when Shenxiu crosses the "gate of the gods", entering a completely reinvented universe, populated by anthropomorphic sea creatures and unfathomable mysteries.[/spoiler] This journey beyond tangible reality suggests an exploration of the boundaries between life and death, between consciousness and the subconscious. It's a journey that transcends physical and symbolic limits. In summary, "Deep Sea" is to me an undisputed masterpiece. It should in no way be criticized by viewers who fail to grasp the depth of the message conveyed by the film or the splendor of its animation. It's a work that transcends the boundaries of animation cinema, offering a poignant reflection on universal themes such as depression, hope, and family as well. Its captivating visual aesthetics and moving narration make it a true cinematic gem. I wish all viewers an enriching and immersive cinematic experience. Enjoy the movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Deep Sea

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Movie Info

Synopsis Shenxiu was abandoned by her mother when she was a child. Since then, she has bad dreams about a monster called "Nightmare". One day, she travels on a cruise ship with her family. On a stormy night, she sees "Nightmare" on the deck, humming her mother's song and calling her to the sea. She falls and breaks into the fancy "Deep Sea" restaurant, an old transformed submarine. She meets the Chef, Nanhe, and embarks on a mysterious journey.
Director
Xiaopeng Tian
Producer
Qiao Yi, Jing Wang, Yunyun Wei
Screenwriter
Xiaopeng Tian, Xiaopeng Tian
Distributor
Viva Pictures
Production Co
October Media
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Material and Smoking)
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure, Animation, Drama
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 24, 2023, Limited
Runtime
1h 52m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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