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Deep Sea
深海
2023 112 min China PG-13 6+
★7.4
Animation, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Director: Xiaopeng Tian
Trailers
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Teaser
Teaser
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Description
Shenxiu has felt a deep sadness since her mother left. A storm plunges her into a dreamlike world of swirling colour. Led by the Hyjinx, and joined by inventive underwater chef Nanhe, she embarks on a quest to find solace in the Eye of the Deep Sea.
Budget:
$28.7M
US Gross:
$9,575
Worldwide:
$136.09M
Starring
Xin Su
Actor
Tingwen Wang
Actor
Kuixing Teng
Actor
Awards
5 wins & 13 nominations total
Key opinion
Deep Sea is a visually groundbreaking work of animation that pushes stylistic boundaries with its psychedelic, ink-wash aesthetic. While the film is widely praised as an emotive, art-house masterpiece, it remains a divisive experience due to its heavy, sensory-overload visuals and non-traditional narrative structure.
| Production | The film features breathtaking animation that fuses 3D technology with traditional Chinese ink-wash painting to create a visually singular aesthetic. | |
| Emotion | The story delivers a powerful and poignant emotional payoff, particularly in its final act, which effectively explores themes of childhood trauma and abandonment. | |
| Score | The musical score, particularly the solo cello work by Jian Wang, provides a haunting and effective accompaniment to the film’s most dramatic moments. | |
| Production | The film’s dense, psychedelic visual style is polarizing; many celebrate it as a 'visual miracle,' while others find the constant motion and vibrant colors overwhelming to the point of physical discomfort. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is a point of contention, as the film prioritizes a metaphorical, dream-like journey over a traditional plot, testing the patience of viewers expecting a standard whimsical adventure. |