Thai Cave Rescue Hero Hosts a Death-Defying Doc

There have already been a few cinematic looks at the famed 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue that saved 12 young Thai soccer players and their coach. First, “Free Solo” Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin helmed National Geographic documentary “The Rescue.” Then, Ron Howard directed the 2022 biographical drama “Thirteen Lives,” starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton.

Now, another documentary about what happened to one of the heroes after the media storm of 2018 enters the fray.

“Deeper,” which will premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival in the Documentary Spotlight section, centers on anesthetist Dr. Richard Harris, whose technique was key to extracting the stranded teen soccer players one by one. (Harris was portrayed by Joel Edgerton in “Thirteen Lives.”)

Jennifer Peedom (“Mountain,” “Sherpa”) writes and directs the documentary, with Alex Barry co-directing. “Deeper” is produced by Blayke Hoffman. Subject Harris executive produces the film and is credited as the underwater cinematographer — here exploring another new cave system.

The official synopsis reads: “Having achieved worldwide acclaim for his crucial role in the death-defying rescue of a young Thai soccer team, Richard ‘Harry’ Harris embarks on a perilous new cave diving expedition that will push the limits of adventure and force him to confront his deepest fears. Richard, dealing with imposter syndrome and a shaky sense of self following the shocking events in Thailand, is now in New Zealand exploring some of the deepest dived caves in the world. This time, along with his friend and fellow hero Craig Challen, Harris battles against the elements, pushing the limits of deep diving and recalibrating what we know about how deep humans can go.”

Both Harris and Challen were named Australians of the Year in 2019 for their assistance in the Thai cave rescue.

“Deeper” follows Harris’ exploration of New Zealand’s Pearse Resurgence, a hard-to-access cave. Harris devises a risky, pioneering plan to use hydrogen for breathing. This technique, as per the documentary description, could solve two problems divers face when at a depth: high-pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) and the difficulty of getting enough air because gases increase in density. However, it could also be fatal.

“I nearly didn’t make this film,” director Peedom said in a press statement. “I warmed to Harry when he approached me in 2022 and was intrigued about what he was trying to do, but I felt tremendously uneasy. These might not be my exact words, but I asked him, ‘Have you watched my films? People always die in them.’”

She continued, “It is grueling to witness and document grief. ‘Solo,’ made with David Michôd, was about the late Andrew McAuley and his thwarted attempt to kayak from Australia to New Zealand. I was at Everest making ‘Sherpa’ when 16 people were killed by an avalanche. What if Harry pushed himself further because I was there with a camera and there were catastrophic consequences? What if he died? I passed [on the project]. Months later, Harry again made history, this time without the world watching. And he was alive to tell the tale. He approached me again and the footage he’d captured was extraordinary, and it meant reenactments would not be necessary. I got on board. The film is called ‘Deeper’ for good reason. Harry pushes himself to go deeper in the cave and he agreed to go deeper into himself. I thank him for trusting me to make this film.”

“Deeper” will be released theatrically in Australia by Madman Entertainment later this year. Dogwoof is handling world sales on the film, which is looking for a North American distributor. Check out the trailer below ahead of the SXSW world premiere on March 8.