Cillian Murphy’s ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Was a Huge Box Office Bomb

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  • ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Finds New Appreciation

Drawing from the gripping true events that inspired Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby-Dick, Ron Howard’s historical action drama, In the Heart of the Sea, boasts a talented cast including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Cillian Murphy. This captivating film tells the harrowing story of the crew who valiantly battled for their lives after their whaling ship was ruthlessly attacked and sunk by a massive sperm whale, leading to an extraordinary struggle for survival at sea.

In Spite of the movie’s stellar cast and director Howard’s renowned reputation, In the Heart of the Sea failed to captivate audiences, ultimately resulting in a significant box office flop, earning only $94.3 million against its high production cost of $100 million, and garnering a lukewarm response from critics. However, almost a decade later, the survival film has found renewed favor on Netflix, climbing the ranks as a beloved title on the streaming giant and securing its status as a hit on the platform.

‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Is Visually Stunning Tale of Survival & Resilience

The gripping true tale of the sinking of the whaling ship “Essex,” as told in Ron Howard’s captivating historical drama “In the Heart of the Sea,” is based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s book. This movie portrays the sequence of events that led to the tragic end of the New England vessel, which was attacked by a huge sperm whale in 1820. The film boasts an impressive cast, with Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, Cillian Murphy, and Brendan Gleeson in leading roles. At its core, the epic story revolves around the ill-fated journey led by Captain George Pollard Jr., portrayed by Benjamin Walker, and his brave crew, among whom is first mate Owen Chase, played by Hemsworth.

Initially having disagreements about the right approach to achieve victory with the Essex, Pollard and Chase eventually put aside their conflicts following an encounter with a massive, scarred sperm whale whose destructive rampage caused chaos among the crew and severe damage to the ship. Stranded at sea, Chase, Pollard, cabin boy Thomas Nickerson (Holland), Matthew Joy (Murphy), and the rest of the crew were forced to fight for their lives, always on edge waiting for the return of the fearsome whale.

In order to convincingly portray their characters in the challenging survival drama, the cast members underwent significant physical changes. For instance, both Hemsworth and Holland drastically reduced their daily calorie intake to 500-1,000 calories, which resulted in substantial weight loss. The actor known for his role as Thor shed approximately 40 pounds, going from 215 to 175 pounds. Hemsworth expressed that playing Owen Chase and being part of the film “In the Heart of the Sea” was “extremely difficult on both a physical and emotional level…to some extent, we aimed to honor the experiences of these men.

‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Finds New Appreciation

The thrilling historical drama, masterfully retelling the harrowing tale linked to the sinking of the Essex, served as a foundation for Herman Melville’s enduring literary masterpiece, Moby-Dick. After the author found some inspiration in Owen Chase’s harrowing personal account of the ordeal, the film was launched on December 11, 2015. However, Howard’s intense portrayal failed to generate significant box office success and earned a meager $94.3 million compared to its high production budget of $100 million, making it the second notable flop for Warner Bros., following the poorly-received fantasy film, Pan.

Despite receiving acclaim for its stunning visuals, impressive acting, and gripping portrayal of a devastating shipwreck, the film’s lackluster script and uneven pacing diminished the full impact of an otherwise captivating story, ultimately detracting from the overall quality of the movie. In the Heart of the Sea , released nearly a decade ago, has experienced a revival in appreciation due to the convenience of streaming platforms.

The relatively unsung film “In the Heart of the Sea,” directed by Ron Howard, has surged in popularity on Netflix and climbed its way to the number two spot among Netflix’s Top Ten Movies since it was added. It currently outranks other movies such as Interstellar and Dune: Part Two.
Although it didn’t receive much recognition during its initial theatrical release, In the Heart of the Sea has found a new fanbase on Netflix and is undoubtedly an engaging way to spend some time, particularly for those who appreciate a riveting survival story based on real events. Stream In the Heart of the Sea on Netflix.

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2025-01-06 02:02