Audiences are captivated by a film newly added to Netflix, which tells the poignant story behind what is considered the most famous fictional whale novel globally.
Directed by Ron Howard, this historical adventure drama was first released in 2015. It boasts an impressive cast and a deeply moving storyline.
The film is an adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 non-fiction book, which recounts the true events surrounding the American whaling ship Essex. In 1820, while navigating the southern Pacific Ocean, the ship was sunk following an attack by a sperm whale.
This incident famously inspired Herman Melville, portrayed by Ben Whishaw in the film, to pen his classic novel, Moby Dick, in 1851.
Currently, the movie depicting the real-life saga of the Essex and its crew, featuring actors like Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Cillian Murphy, is available on the streaming service. Viewers on Netflix are discovering its remarkable qualities.
Many have taken to Twitter to express their admiration for In the Heart of the Sea, describing it as a ‘fantastic film’ that shouldn’t be overlooked.
One viewer mentioned, “Netflix suggested I watch In the Heart of the Sea, as it’s been popular lately. I loved it. Great story and amazing visuals,” highlighting a scene that vividly captured the “guilt, anger, and sadness we hold on to from trauma.”
Others gave it a five-star rating, while another viewer praised Howard, tweeting: “@RealRonHoward I missed your movie In The Heart of the Sea in 2015, I’m watching it now and 30 minutes into it, I had to pause it to give you a resounding WOW! It shows your incredible vision. We are alongside the men and the whale in the struggle. A beautiful and cautionary tale.”
Philbrick explained his focus on the sailors’ stories to TIME in 2015: “Where Moby Dick ends is really where the story of the story of the Essex kicks in. It’s not a fictionalization of a story, it’s a transformation of a story and all the darkness of the Essex disaster.”
While some elements of the movie were dramatized for effect, Howard noted that little invention was necessary, as he remained faithful to the sailors’ grim reality.
In preparation for his role, Hemsworth adhered to a rigorous 500-calorie diet to shed his ‘Thor’ physique, aiming to portray the authentic look of a 19th-century sailor who was marooned and starving at sea.
Despite the recent acclaim, the film did not fare well during its initial release nearly a decade ago. In 2015, it received mixed reviews and grossed only $94.3 million against its $100 million budget.
In the Heart of the Sea holds a modest 42 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Twitter user remarked that critics ‘got it wrong’ back then, while another commended Netflix for ‘reintroducing movies to a fan base that may not have been paying attention the first time around’.
In the Heart of the Sea is currently available for streaming on Netflix.