Deeper You Dig (2019) plays Final GirlsBerlin 2020 tomorrow

THE DEEPER YOU DIG blew me away. A small micro-budgeted micro-crewed film made by a couple and their daughter, all of who were on both sides of the camera, the film is a nominal supernatural tale that transcends every expectations to become something glorious and great.

This is story of what happens in the wake of a tragedy, involving a mother, her daughter and a stranger, it will haunt you long after the credits roll.

Yes I know that was awkward and obtuse because I am intentionally not going to tell you any more than that about the plot. I know you’ll be able to read other reviews which will spill the beans but I really would prefer you not to read them. If you can you should go into the film knowing as little as possible. One of the joys of this film is going in full of expectations and then having all of them shot down. There was a point early on where I just took everything I was expecting and locked it up in a cabinet. What I thought was going to happen was never going to so there was no point in fighting it.

Beautifully acted by the three principals and directors (John Adams, Toby Poser, Zelda Adams) the film creates a very real place. We have three rounded characters who pull us into the madness. Talk about ensemble acting, this is something more, especially considering where the film takes us. Their achievements go beyond acting to the script and technical aspects since this a film that was made as a truly collaborative effort. How in holy hell did they pull this off? It’s the work of a grand hive mind- how do we bottle this.

One of the things that delights me is that the filmmakers turned their lack of a budget into something miraculous. Seemingly unable to do fancy effects they simply go around it and do things in a straight forward manner. Can’t afford a ghost effect? Then don’t use one just have the actor be there. That may sound counter intuitive or the use of something on the order of The SIXTH SENSE to trick the audience, but that’s not the case here and the result is dead nuts creepy.

Not to parse words John Adams, Toby Poser, and Zelda Adams have made a masterpiece. To be certain it is a small, not particularly flashy one but it is one and it has genuine power. It is self-assured and a commanding. Grabbing us by the labels it forces us to journey with it, forgiving blemishes by the sheer force of presence and the skill of its juggling. It’s kind of like discovering the guy next door has the pipes of an opera star.

THE DEEPER YOU DIG is a great film. It was one of the very best films I saw in 2019. If you can go into the film knowing it is a small gem of quiet power I highly recommend it.

THE DEEPER YOU DIG plays Final Girls Berlin tomorrow. For ticket and more information go here.