Submergence Image

Submergence

By Tiffany Tchobanian | April 12, 2018

Submergence takes on multiple meanings in this romantic thriller. Danielle Flinders (Alicia Vikander) literally dives to the very bottom of the Greenland Sea on an exploratory mission, while her beloved James Moore (James McAvoy) remains immersed in his deep cover as a captured operative. At their lowest points, both cling to memories of their passionate rendezvous in France. This film desperately tries not to be cliché, but it succumbs to the pitfalls of a stereotypical narrative of lovers torn apart by unfortunate circumstances.

James and Danielle are driven by their careers, which save lives in different ways. Her sea-faring mission could help prove if it is possible to have life on Mars, if /when the Earth becomes uninhabitable. Meanwhile, he is secretly working to keep innocent lives safe by targeting and eliminating threatening terrorists. Both careers do not offer them the luxury of love, but they find themselves falling for each other nonetheless.

“…a stereotypical narrative of lovers torn apart by unfortunate circumstances.”

McAvoy is given the meatier role and brilliantly showcases his talents, as always. We feel his torment, heartbreak, and resilience when he’s held captive by jihadists in Africa. With his life on the line, memories of their time together are his only escape. Unfortunately, Vikander’s role is reduced from an intelligent, esteemed and groundbreaking professional to that of a jilted lover. Danielle thinks she’s being ghosted by James and sulks in the days leading up to her mission. The fearless and clever woman we met at the beginning of the film digresses to a wallowing school girl, which makes her narrative particularly underwhelming.

Leave a Reply to Krista Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Lori says:

    I think that because it didn’t go follow the cookie cutter story-telling that is rampant in the non-creative world of movies… this was more movie than some people can digest because it’s not homogenized down to stupid crap that other movies are. For example, every Mission Impossible movie or James Bond movie is just like the other. Story arcs and ends with a pretty bow on the conclusion. Something different should not get negative feedback for being different. The scenery was amazing and I’m grateful for this movie, kudos to those who made it.

  2. Hoyle.Cliff says:

    A person’s success does not depend on his wisdom, but perseverance

  3. Agnieszka says:

    Mmmm what a disappointment. Not the film but your real effort to shut me up.

  4. Agnieszka says:

    I think film is deep analysis of the relation between what reality means for us today, and what real world is like. Unusual people create their own definition of getting to to this relation between true and fiction, and this is what this story is about. The lack of the plot is stupid accusation of people living in the society thriving the true about themselves in the world of infinitive number of mirrors in the form of other human lives. It reminds me the hunger for new series of reality television programs or the dynamic, full of action sensational movies.
    We started to live in fictional world lacking deep questions and ignoring simple impressions providing the answer to something what was forgotten to ask.

  5. Krista says:

    Does he die in the end?

    • Maritina says:

      Yes I would like to know the same thing? This is based on a book so therefore it should say what happens in the book! I’m very confused as to what happens at the end? My husband thinks he survived and possibly saw her in real life, I think he wasn’t alive and was fading with her in his thoughts? I’m not sure!

Join our Film Threat Newsletter

Newsletter Icon