‘In Love and Deep Water’ Trailer Teases a Romantic Murder Mystery on the High Seas

From sumptuous sets to lavish costumes, the trailer for In Love and Deep Water offers glimpses into the opulent environment of a luxury cruise ship. Premiering on November 16, the romantic comedy marks legendary screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto’s debut on Netflix. 

Captivating audiences for over three decades with his exceptional storytelling, Sakamoto has delivered iconic works such as Tokyo Love Story and Mother making him a household name in the industry. He also won the prestigious Best Screenplay Award at this year’s Cannes International Film Festival for Monster.

In Love and Deep Water spins a tale of love and adventure amidst the stunning backdrop of the MSC Bellissima, an Italian luxury cruise ship that is one of the largest in the world. When two unlikely souls find themselves entangled in a murder mystery during this extraordinary voyage from Yokohama to the Aegean Sea, the stage is set for an unforgettable journey of romance and intrigue.

In their first collaboration with Netflix, Ryo Yoshizawa (Kingdom and Tokyo Revengers) takes the lead as Suguru, a devoted butler who caters to the whims of wealthy passengers, while Aoi Miyazaki portrays the enigmatic Chizuru, who boarded the luxury liner with a hidden agenda.

In Love and Deep Water Poster

Recreating the MSC Bellissima

Although the production team was given permission to film on the actual MSC Bellissima, which has a capacity of 7,000 passengers, the cruise ship was not allowed to enter Japan due to COVID-19 restrictions when filming started last spring.

Instead of postponing production, the crew took the extraordinary decision to construct a massive set to replicate the grandeur of the MSC Bellissima, setting new benchmarks in the Japanese entertainment industry.

To produce a true-to-life representation of the ship, the team built a full-scale swimming pool and meticulously recreated the lush suites in the studio. They also flew to Dubai, where MSC Bellissima was calling, to scan the exterior and interior details of the ship, so that the data could be used for the state-of-the-art computer graphics and visual effects.

The film’s commitment to authenticity doesn’t stop at its set. In Love and Deep Water boasts an extravagant display of costumes, hairstyles, and makeup for the well-heeled passengers. With costumes by prestigious luxury brands such as Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Celine, and Valentino, the characters’ styles and appearances were crafted with exquisite attention to detail.

Set sail with ‘In Love and Deep Water’ on November 16, only on Netflix.