Dig, A Survival Movie About Digging
The story opens with a spot of family drama before going head-on into a bad luck situation (depending on how you look at it.) Dig follows a father (Scott, played by Thomas Jane) and daughter (Jane, played by his real-life daughter Harlow Jane.) Dad gets twitchy about being cut off. Like any good father with his wife and daughter in the car, he casually decides to say his piece when they and the other car end up at the same gas station.
The guy pulls a gun, and they struggle. Then his wife and daughter get out of the car to find out what all the ruckus is about. Finally, when the gunshot rings out, one of them is dead and another is deaf.
Holes For Cash
Scott finds himself in a predicament when a mysterious figure offers him a lucrative deal to dig a hole in exchange for a hefty sum of money. Despite his financial struggles, he hesitates because he senses something suspicious about the offer. Little does he know, this decision will lead him down a dangerous path. Meanwhile, Victor and Lola, a shockingly brutal couple, revel in inflicting pain and suffering on others. Unpredictable and driven by their hidden motives, they seem to thrive on chaos.
Their twisted desires culminate in a desperate quest for a buried treasure hidden beneath a desolate desert house. To accomplish their goal, they manipulate unsuspecting individuals, coercing them into providing the necessary equipment for their dig. As the story unfolds, Scott must navigate the ill-fated web woven by Victor and Lola. Will he succumb to their manipulations, or will he find a way to escape the trap that has been set for him?
The narrative explores the depths of human desperation and the lengths one is willing to go to for personal gain. Of course, once all the details are revealed, Scott points out that digging is dangerous and they should keep them alive until they’ve at least done the job. The final reveal of what lay under the dirt is a payoff that’s sorely lacking. The drama of getting there never seems worth it.
The reveal of what lies beneath the ground in “Dig” indeed leaves the audience with more questions than answers. It prompts them to ponder the motives and intentions of the characters involved. While it may leave some wanting more closure, it also allows for personal interpretation and speculation.
I was disappointed with “Dig”. Despite having good performances and stunning scenic landscapes, the movie falls short of creating the desired level of tension. The wacky criminal pairing and their motives fail to evoke a sense of fear or suspense, resulting in a survival thriller that is lacking in essential ingredients. It seems that “Dig” misses the mark in delivering a truly gripping and intense experience.
Dig Isn’t Digging For Diamonds
The Dig movie is the type of film you put on in the background while you do other things. Worthy of a one-time watch but not something that digs deep enough.
Director K. Asher Levin turns his hand from TV series (The Shadow Diaries) to feature films with the Dig 2022 being his first.
The Dig movie is rated
2.5 holes in the ground out of 5
In the US, Saban Films released this title theatrically in select locations and on demand (VOD) on September 23, 2022. For more great reviews see Movies and Mania on their collection of Dig reviews.
