Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gorgeous but unsettling animated tale spotlights sadness.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Deep Sea
What's the Story?
Shenxiu (voiced by Wang Ting Wen) and her family set out on a vacation cruise, but they've forgotten that it's her birthday. Shenxiu wanders the ship alone, and when a big wave crashes into it, she falls overboard. There discovers the fantastical underwater world of the DEEP SEA restaurant.
Is It Any Good?
Breathtakingly gorgeous and original, this underwater epic sets a high bar for animators when it comes to creativity. At the same time, Deep Sea may to be too much for some people, especially in 3D and on a big screen. Embracing the fact that the action occurs underwater, the screen is almost always rocking and shifting, and it's a dizzying journey (to the point that it might cause motion sickness!). Writer-director Xiaopeng Tian grabs viewers by the hand and drags us along through astonishing, long tracking shots and constant chaos. It's a feat, but it's not necessarily one all will enjoy, particularly little kids.
Tian also takes an innovative approach to adapting an illustrated children's book: The book doesn't actually exist. While telling more would be a spoiler, families can use the film as inspiration to consider a real book they've read as a springboard for telling a bigger story. Ultimately, this beautiful tragedy is loud and sometimes abrasive visual poetry, and it must be seen through to the very end to appreciate it as an unparalled masterpiece.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Deep Sea's animation style, which is based in Chinese ink painting, and compare it to more mainstream animation. How do you think other forms of art might translate into animation?
What elements of the movie reflect Chinese life, values, and society? Why is it important to see a wide variety of cultures represented in the media?
How is courage demonstrated? What makes someone a hero? Is Nanhe a role model? Why, or why not?
What are the signs of depression? If you know someone who's depressed, what can you do to help? What does Deep Sea show that doesn't help?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 24, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : April 26, 2024
- Cast : Wang Ting Wen , Su Xin
- Director : Xiaopeng Tian
- Studio : Viva Pictures
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , Climate change ) , Adventures , Animals ( Fish , Ocean Creatures ) , Family Stories ( Grandparents ) , Fantasy ( Magic , Monsters ) , Friendship , STEM ( Nature )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic material and smoking
- Last updated : December 5, 2025
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