A film that has recently been added to Netflix is captivating audiences with its retelling of the tragic events that inspired one of the most famous whale novels ever written.
Released in 2015, this historical adventure drama directed by Ron Howard features an impressive cast and an emotionally charged storyline.
The movie is an adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 non-fiction book, which recounts the true story of the American whaling ship Essex. In 1820, the ship sank in the southern Pacific Ocean following an attack by a sperm whale.
This real-life ordeal influenced Herman Melville, who is portrayed by Ben Whishaw in the film, to pen his renowned novel, Moby Dick, in 1851.
With the film now streaming on Netflix, audiences are discovering the powerful story of the Essex and its crew, played by Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Cillian Murphy.
Many viewers have taken to Twitter to express their admiration for In the Heart of the Sea, calling it a ‘fantastic film’ that shouldn’t be overlooked.
One viewer tweeted, “Netflix suggested I watch In the Heart of the Sea, as it’s been popular lately. I loved it. Great story and amazing visuals,” praising a scene that depicted guilt, anger, and sadness from trauma.
Other fans have given it five-star ratings, while one viewer praised Ron 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.”
Nathaniel Philbrick explained his focus on the sailors’ experiences, telling TIME in 2015: “Where Moby Dick ends is really where 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 scenes in the film were dramatized, Howard aimed to stay true to the sailors’ grueling reality, saying he didn’t need to ‘invent very much.’
For authenticity, Chris Hemsworth underwent a strict 500-calorie diet to shed his ‘Thor’ physique and portray the stranded, starved sailors of the 19th century.
Despite the current acclaim, the movie did not do well when it was first released, earning mixed reviews and grossing only $94.3 million against a $100 million budget.
In the Heart of the Sea holds a 42 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
One Twitter user remarked that critics ‘got it wrong’ back then, while another praised 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 now available for streaming on Netflix.