Deep Water (2026) raises big questions once viewers begin immersing themselves in a story that does not explore waters as deep as its title suggests. The film is designed only to be watched and then promptly forgotten.
Written by Pete Bridges, Shayne Armstrong, S.P. Krause, and Damien Power, based on a story by Armstrong and Krause, the film suffers from disappointing storytelling. Though the writers may have intended to combine elements of Final Destination (2000) and Deep Blue Sea (1999), also directed by Renny Harlin, the story more closely resembles No Way Up (2024).
These weaknesses are evident within the first ten minutes. Character and setting introductions, the background to the conflict, and dialogue between characters do not feel like the work of four writers. Character introductions tend toward the stereotypical, dialogue is shallow and unmemorable, while the conflict setup is too clichéd for a film released in 2026.
Viewers need not guess at the conflict or character fates because everything is laid bare and mirrors previous Hollywood stories. Harlin appears to have deliberately drawn on references to older films, evoking the style of American action dramas like Top Gun: Maverick (2022), yet offered neither improvisation nor requested revisions to the script he received.
On the other hand, Harlin does manage to deliver some tension reminiscent of Deep Blue Sea (1999), with scenes that create excitement especially when viewed on the big screen. Angus Sampson also excels in playing a selfish antagonist, exceeding expectations amid the story's various shortcomings.
Aaron Eckhart attempts to act as the hero, but appears lost amid the rubble of an illogical story. The script also feels forced in depicting United States and China involvement, with an ending that attempts to compensate for the weakness evident from the start.
