Deep 2017

In a post-apocalyptic future, the world as we know it has been reshaped by a sweeping ecological catastrophe that leaves the planet flooded and life above the waterline forced to adapt. In the depths of the Atlantic, a colossal squid named Kraken has managed to save a small group of survivors and builds a secure, thriving colony beneath the waves. This underwater sanctuary becomes home to a mix of sea life and human-influenced creatures, a fragile society balancing danger and hope.

Kraken’s grandson, a curious and almost restless young cephalopod named Deep, finds life around the colony predictably dull—until the spark of human-made objects and human stories ignites his imagination. Deep is drawn to anything crafted by people, and he recruits two close friends to share in his fascination: Evo, an eager anglerfish, and Alice, a quick-witted shrimp. What begins as harmless curiosity soon veers into a risky misstep. A prank meant to amuse nearly endangers the entire community, and the trio is forced to face the consequences when their hidden mistake traps their home under a ring of stones. The crisis becomes a hard lesson about responsibility, trust, and the limits of mischief.

From the embattled depths of danger rises a glimmer of hope in the form of a legend: the white whale named Nathan holds the key to their salvation. Kraken’s old wisdom becomes the map they need, and Deep embraces the perilous quest, guided by the clues Kraken provides about where Nathan can be found. With a shared resolve, Deep, Evo, and Alice embark on a journey that will take them far beyond their familiar waters and test their courage, loyalty, and wits.

Their voyage sweeps them through a series of surreal and challenging landmarks. First, they reach the wreck of the famous shipwreck, the Titanic, where they encounter Norma, a vampire squid whose musical performance captivates them and whose advice hints at the next destination: Broadway. Norma’s playful menace makes the path forward feel both tempting and treacherous, and when they finally break free from her spell, the trio realizes the road ahead is not only long but fraught with new moral choices.

On the way, the team crosses paths with Maura, a Moray eel who proves to be more than a predator—she reveals a deep loneliness that resonates with Deep. Despite initial fears from Alice and Evo about welcoming another potential danger into their group, Deep believes there is room for one more ally if it means expanding their chances of reaching Nathan. Maura joins, shifting the balance of the crew and adding a layer of complexity to their already delicate dynamic.

Their journey brings them to the ruins of New York, where the once-grand Brooklyn Bridge becomes an eerie gateway under rising tides. There, the group meets Rico, a charismatic yet formidable yeti crab who leads a crab army and challenges them to a dance battle. With a surge of improvisational courage, Alice takes the stage, and her performance soothes the tension, winning Rico’s heart and easing their passage into the flooded streets beyond. They navigate through a city transformed into an aquatic labyrinth, stepping into a radiation zone where danger lurks in the form of zombie-like piranhas that threaten to close in on them at every turn.

As they continue, tensions flare within the group. They realize they are at sea—literally and metaphorically—and argue about the best way forward. Deep feels the weight of leadership and the scrutiny of others who question his choices. Their disagreement is interrupted by new introductions: Darcy, a calculating penguin, along with his assistants—Luigi the walrus and Ralph the dolphin. Darcy reveals a chilling plot to freeze the entire species and abandon Earth aboard a floating arc of salvation for a select few, including aquatic life on Ark-3. The trio’s arrival triggers a dangerous distraction, as Darcy and his accomplices manipulate their situation while the others become ensnared in a trap.

The moment of truth arrives when they finally confront Nathan, who is bound and waiting in a locked cell. Nathan’s presence confirms the stakes of Darcy’s scheme: freeze everyone and secure a cold, engineered utopia that excludes the very beings who call the ocean home. Deep, Alice, and Evo work in tandem to disable the cell’s restraints, cutting a narrow path to freedom. They break out, join forces with Maura, and rally against Darcy, Luigi, and Ralph in a decisive confrontation. Their unity and perseverance break the plan apart, and the escape from Ark-3 becomes a shared victory, lifting them back into motion with Nathan and the other sea creatures in tow.

Returning to their home waters, the rescue mission broadens into a recovery effort as they free Kraken and the colony from the lingering debris and danger. Deep, who had pushed himself to the edge, nearly sacrifices his life to finish the rescue, only to be brought back by the resilience around him and the bond with his companions. With the crisis averted, Maura offers a hopeful idea: a program to fertilize and increase the population, ensuring a more secure future for their underwater world. In the midst of this renewal, Deep finds a new sense of belonging and even a blossoming affection that hints at a brighter personal future.

Yet not all fates are sealed by triumph. Darcy, Ralph, and Luigi find themselves stranded on a drifting ice floe in the Arctic, their plans foiled and their cries for help echoing across the frigid expanse. The story closes on a note of renewal and resilience: a community lifted by cooperation, a leader who grows into his role, and a planet that, even when fractured, still harbors a possibility for life, connection, and hope beneath the waves.