Kayley Loo
In this underwater thriller, a routine diving trip takes a deadly turn when a catastrophic landslide occurs.
Hold your breath as director and co-writer Maximilian Erlenwein takes you through this 2023 underwater survival thriller, The Dive. The anticipated underwater mystery, stars actresses Sophie Lowe (Drew) and Louisa Krause (May) as they embark on their diving trip.
But, disaster strikes when a landslide takes place above the surface. Their relaxing break quickly turns into a life-or-death fight for survival. Debris tumbles into the ocean, trapping May deep underwater. With limited oxygen supply remaining, it’s up to Drew to save her sister, while at the same time risking her own.
JUMPING INTO THE DEEP END
“the characters’ juxtaposing personalities add to the lived-in feel of the world.”
From the opening scenes, it is quickly established that the two sisters do not get along well. Whilst it’s possible that this decision was intentional, the audience is faced with stiff conversation, that often seemed forced. The apparent tension made it difficult for viewers to get to know the protagonists on a deeper level.
Overlooking this initial shortfall, the characters’ juxtaposing personalities add to the lived-in feel of the world. As Drew expresses her excitement about the trip, May appears more jaded due to having more diving experience than the other two combined.
When a catastrophic landslide occurs, May is caught between rocks and is unable to break free. Drew, though panicked, is determined to make multiple risky dives up and down the surface, despite the potential dangers. In the meantime, May tries to remain calm in front of her anxious sister. Actress Lousie Krause portrays her character’s fears effortlessly, and the audience soon appreciates the toll that this rescue could take on Drew.
“Moments like these encapsulate the film’s core themes of drifting apart, isolation, and sisterhood”
In separating them from one another, this shared experience brings the emotionally caged and distant sisters closer together. Following the landslide, the few resources the pair thought available were beyond reach. Drew has to think on her feet as distress creeps in, while May ponders about the past.
Through flashbacks, we are given glimpses of the sisters’ childhood. Brief cutscenes offer the audience an insight into how their relationship and experiences with the water, and each other, have changed over time. Moments like these encapsulate the film’s core themes of drifting apart, isolation, and sisterhood through unique storytelling.
WORKING WITH THE ELEMENTS
With all circumstances working against the sisters, the unequivocal explanation of what time is left, coupled with the rising stakes, adds to the overall viewing tension. We are told in no uncertain terms of the limited oxygen available and that repeated dives in these conditions would deteriorate the body. When paired with Lowe’s and Krause’s expert performances, the audience is able to comprehend the full extent of the desperation the pair are in.
Filmed in Malta, an abundance of scenic landscapes are utilized to the furthest extent. Erlenwein and the director of photography, Frank Griebe, hold nothing back to showcase the stunning visuals, both above and below the surface. From the long shots of the pair driving to their location to the initial underwater shots, the audience is transported into the sister’s loving moments.
“The rhythmic muffled movements and ocean air bubbles allow those watching to feel as small as the characters”
The use of sounds elevates audience immersion. A claustrophobic atmosphere is created by sound designer Corinna Fleig and the haunting score by Volker Bertelmann and Raffael Seyfried. In scenes with limited sunlight, the audience feels as confined as the characters. The rhythmic muffled movements and ocean air bubbles allow those watching to feel as small as the characters in the wide ocean.
Overall, the best way to watch this film would be to immerse yourself in the big screen. The Dive will be available in the UK on August 25, 2023.
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Featured image courtesy of Ferenc Horvath via Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.
Kayley Loo
Kayley loves explaining odd, niche things you might've not known about or heard of before. She is also a host on RemoteWatch podcast, where she talks about all things TV and FIlm. She is currently based in London.