Table of ContentsTable of ContentsCall me PrequelChris Hemsworth gives one of his best performancesThe Spider-Man of the momentCillian Murphy and the supporting cast are excellentIts a harrowing tale of disaster at seaTheres a new No. 1 film on top of the most popular movies on Netflix, and its In the Heart of the Sea, a film that will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year. Weve seen some films come out of nowhere and race to the top of Netflixs standings before, but rarely one that flopped to the extent that this one did. And its failure wasnt because of its quality. In December 2015, Warner Bros. decided to release this film just a week before Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Star Wars sequel broke domestic records with $936 million in North America, while In the Heart of the Sea splashed ashore with only $25 million domestically and $93.9 million worldwide.In this case, In the Heart of the Sea was the wrong movie at the wrong time. But its time has finally come now that fans are rediscovering director Ron Howards historical epic, which is inspired by a true story. Another reason for this films resurgence is that its filled with stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Cillian Murphy. Now that the movie has resurfaced, were sharing the reasons why you should watch In the Heart of the Sea on Netflix in January.Recommended VideosWarner Bros. PicturesAlthough the script takes some liberties with the real events and people, its still a largely true account of what happened on the whale-hunting ship, the Essex, in 1820. Its also, in a strange way, a prequel to Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick, one of the most famous novels in American history. Melville was so moved by the account of this tale that he was inspired to write his book. The connections between the two works are so overt that Melville is actually a character in the movie, as portrayed by Black Doves Ben Whishaw.RelatedAs a narrative device, most of the film is related in flashback by Thomas Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson), one of the few survivors of the Essex disaster. The story checks in on Melville and Nickerson in 1850 from time to time, which actually adds to the emotional impact of the events of the past. The end of the movie even has a callback to Melvilles famous first line of Moby-Dick, Call me Ishmael.Warner Bros. PicturesIn the Heart of the Sea was made after Chris Hemsworth began starring in Marvel movies as Thor, but before he decided to embrace playing a comedic goofball in most of his movies. This film serves as a reminder that Hemsworth has dramatic chops when he chooses to use them. Owen Chase isnt the narrator, but he is arguably the main character of the movie, and many of the scenes take place from his perspective.Chases bitter disappointment at being passed over as captain colors his relationship with the man who got the job, George Pollard Jr. (Benjamin Walker). Pollard also overhears Chases reaction, which sours their relationship from the start. The subsequent contest of wills between these two men almost destroys the ship early in the film. And when their worst instincts land on the same page, they cause even more damage together. Ironically, Chase and Pollard come to a place of mutual respect. All it took was a disaster that may claim their lives.Warner Bros. PicturesTom Holland played the younger Thomas Nickerson just a few months before his debut as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War. In a fun coincidence, In the Heart of the Sea hit No. 1 on Netflixs most popular movies on the same day that Hollands engagement with his Spider-Man co-star, Zendaya, was confirmed.Hes a grown man now, but Holland plays up every bit of his youth as Thomas. Hes the youngest member of the crew, and as such, he gets the worst jobs. Because Thomas is the narrator, theres no suspense about his survival. But we do get to see the emotional impact on Hollands face and body language as the ordeal weighs down his character.In the Heart of the Sea Movie CLIP - What Was That? (2015) - Chris Hemsworth Movie HDGleeson might have been a little too old to play Hollands aged counterpart, but he carries that same weight during his scenes with Melville. Hollands version of Thomas doesnt get as much development as Chase, but he definitely feels haunted by the end of his ordeal.Warner Bros. PicturesNina Gold (Game of Thrones), the casting director for In the Heart of the Sea, deserves a lot of credit for surrounding Hemsworth and Holland with either established stars or performers on the rise. Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) co-stars as Matthew Joy, the second mate of the Essex. Fear the Walking Deads Frank Dillane also has a strong performance as Pollards cousin, Henry Coffin. Henry doesnt have a very big part, but you wont forget his standout scene.Michelle Fairley who played Catelyn Stark on Game of Thrones also has a supporting role as Nickersons wife in 1850, and she shares one of the most emotionally affecting scenes in the movie with Gleeson. There isnt really a bad performance in the entire movie, and thats also a credit to the cast and the casting director.Warner Bros. PicturesThe first half of In the Heart of the Sea plays like the spiritual successor to Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World, another underappreciated nautical epic. The arrival of the giant sperm whale which well just call Moby Dick for simplicity is foreshadowed before it actually arrives. When the ship encounters Moby Dick, the movie turns into a more intense tale of disaster and survival at sea.In the Heart of the Sea Movie CLIP - Prepare to Abandon Ship (2015) - Chris Hemsworth Movie HDMany of the actors in this film went on extreme diets to portray the starving sailors stuck in the middle of the ocean for months. Their physical transformations and the realistic makeup used to convey the effects of exposure and dehydration were very convincing. Unlike the Moby-Dick novel, the sailors are less interested in revenge and more invested in staying alive. But they do get one last showdown with the whale before the end.Watch In the Heart of the Sea on Netflix.Editors Recommendations