Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Superdeep’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Superdeep’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the vast majority of humanity… genuinely believes that mankind is the true master of planet Earth, and it makes sense as to why so many people hold to that notion. After all, we are indeed at the top of the food chain on this world and our ingenuity and ability to work together has allowed for us to put down roots all over the globe by way of massive cities where humanity lives and thrives in relative harmony. Plus, we’ve also been able to take to the skies like birds and we’ve even ventured into the depths of space. But perhaps what truly makes so many believe that we are the true masters of the tiny blue ball we call home… is the fact that we’ve been able to combat and defeat the ailments that once plagued our ancestors by way of modern medicine.  
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But while there is a solid case to be made that we are the masters of this domain, that is a wholly incorrect line of thinking. For the global pandemic that we are starting to defeat, kept all of mankind behind doors for an entire year, which served as a fine reminder that mother nature is the true master of this planet and she is keen to remind us of that fact whenever it is necessary and well… having her flex her powerful muscles from time to time does leave one wondering… exactly what other surprises she has waiting in the wings for a species that is a little too big for its britches at times. And it just so happens, that a newly released horror film on Shudder explores that question in a horrifying and epic manner in Superdeep.

Now in this particular film we are transported back to the 1980s, wherein a brilliant scientist named Anna Fedorova finds herself being whisked away to a secret location known as the Kola Superdeep when her superiors in the Soviet Union come to realize, something has gone wrong at this facility. For its well-regarded doctor has been disavowed by his own staff and there are reports of strange things happening at this scientific digging site. Which means it will be up to Anna and her small support team to find answers as to why this facility is filled with fear and betrayal and panic and well… what she and her team uncover is stunning to say the least. For it turns out that an ancient mold that was buried deep within the earth by the ice age long ago has been uncovered by this team and now it is eager to use mankind to return to the surface, to conquer all life, and that puts Anna and her team in quite the difficult position. For a rag tag group of soldiers and scientists are ill equipped to save the world from a threat they barely understand, but they must succeed or risk the end of everything.

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Which is quite frankly, a supremely refreshing and original plotline. Because often times, horror movies that feature a dark and terrifying discovery beneath the depths of the ocean or the crust of the earth, offer up some kind of wild monster, the kind that has been thriving and surviving without us noticing for millennia on end. So, to instead encounter a natural threat, one that is powerful and eager to thrive, really is something new and delightful and also timely. Because seeing a mold that uses human hosts to spread and thrive, really does send chills down one’s spine thanks to the recent pandemic and this particular twist definitely makes for a terrifying ‘villain’ of sorts. Because this is simply a force of nature. One that cannot be reasoned with in the slightest and its desire to survive brings about  some uncomfortable sequences for certain.
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Which… brings us to the plentiful scares in this film. A feat that it accomplishes primarily, by way of some gross out body horror. Because once the mold infects a person, it quickly turns them into an incubation chamber, eventually pushing its spores through the flesh in a disturbing manner. And seeing people be transformed into a sentient and gooey mold factory really does make for some unsettling visuals and what’s truly amazing about this movie, is that the scares don’t end with the ooey-gooey gore. Because this is a story that also preys upon some of our primal fears. Such as our fears of the dark and of being trapped in enclosed spaces and of course… it also does a wonderful job of reminding us of our collective fear of the unknown. For the truth about what’s going on isn’t revealed for some time, leaving one’s imagination to fill in the blanks and uh… that never goes well.

If anything, this just is a pure horror film. One that isn’t interested in offering up any lessons to the audience outside of the fine reminder that mother nature can surprise us when she chooses. Instead, this flick is focused upon simply making us squirm in our seats and jump in terror and boy does it accomplish that goal just fine. Because once the truth is revealed, this movie transforms into a long and winding nightmare, one where awful creatures are born, courtesy of evolution and natural selection. So, if you’re in the mood for an outright scary movie that offers up some tremendous terror and tension, alongside some unsettling visuals and some wonderful homages to 80s creature features… then swing by Shudder and give Superdeep a look.

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