A 2015 historical adventure film starring Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, and Tom Holland has climbed to the top of Netflix's most-watched list, just days after being added to the streaming platform.
In the Heart of the Sea was released on Netflix on November 5 and is now the number one movie on the service, 11 years after its original theatrical debut.
Based on a True 19th-Century Disaster
The film is adapted from Nathaniel Philbrick's 2000 non-fiction book In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. It tells the story of an American whaling ship that sank in 1820, a tragedy that shocked the 19th-century public and served as the primary real-life inspiration for Herman Melville's classic 1851 novel Moby-Dick.
The plot follows the ship's crew after they encounter a huge albino bull sperm whale at sea. Set in 1820, the crew must fight to survive as the odds stack against them.
Cast and Crew
Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy plays second mate Matthew Joy, while Tom Holland portrays cabin boy Thomas Nickerson. Chris Hemsworth takes on the role of Owen Chase and is joined by Benjamin Walker as Captain Pollard, Ben Whishaw as Herman Melville, and Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Nickerson.
In the Heart of the Sea was directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Charles Leavitt. Brian Grazer, Will Ward, Joe Roth, Paula Weinstein, and Howard served as producers.
Viewer Praise on Rotten Tomatoes
Since its release, the film has received widespread praise from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. One person wrote, "Freaking awesome true story," while another echoed: "A great adaptation of a true story...worth a watch."
A third comment read: "Amazing movie! Love the story and the effects! Totally worth it." Another viewer added: "A movie that doesn't pull any punches. It outright impales your soul, forcing you to think about humanity's place in this world, and how insignificant we really are. The tutor, a very angry 100ft spermwhale."
One viewer who had read the book compared it to the film: "I read the novel In the Heart of the Sea when it came out 24 years ago. The book was excellent. I resisted watching this movie as there is no way the movie could capture the narrative of the story. I watched the movie today and I was correct. The movie however is pretty good overall as a stand alone prospect, but lacks the depth of the suffering they endured."
In the Heart of the Sea is streaming now on Netflix.
