Cillian Murphy & Tom Holland Star in $100M Adventure Film Inspired by a Timeless Classic Now Streaming on Netflix

Before Cillian Murphy garnered an Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer and Tom Holland dominated the box office with his Marvel films, they shared the screen in the 2015 historical adventure In the Heart of the Sea. This film is currently available for streaming on Netflix. It featured an ensemble cast with several notable actors, but Murphy and Holland have emerged as two of the most sought-after performers in 2025, following Murphy’s Academy Award win and Holland’s prolific tenure as Spider-Man.

Exciting news for fans: Murphy is preparing to reprise his role in the upcoming 28 Years Later, the third installment in the acclaimed 28 Days Later series, not only as an actor but also as an executive producer. Additionally, he will return to his iconic part from Peaky Blinders in a new project titled The Immortal Man. Meanwhile, Holland joins a stellar cast in Christopher Nolan’s latest venture, an adaptation of The Odyssey, while also gearing up for the untitled fourth installment of the Spider-Man franchise. For fans eager to revisit the earlier collaboration between these two stars, In the Heart of the Sea is easily accessible on Netflix starting January 1, 2025.

The True Story Behind In The Heart of the Sea: The Whaling Ship Essex

Adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s Non-Fiction Work

In the Heart of the Sea Promotional Image

In the Heart of the Sea recounts the gripping true saga of the 1820 sinking of the Essex, an American whaling ship that partly inspired Herman Melville’s acclaimed novel Moby-Dick. In this film, Murphy portrays Matthew Joy, the ship’s second mate, while Holland plays young Thomas Nickerson, the ship’s cabin boy. Both roles are inspired by actual crew members who faced harrowing events when a whale attacked their ship, leading to its eventual demise.

Cast	Role
Chris Hemsworth	Owen Chase
Benjamin Walker	George Pollard Jr.
Cillian Murphy	Matthew Joy
Tom Holland	Thomas Nickerson
Brendan Gleeson	Old Thomas Nickerson
Ben Whishaw	Herman Melville
Michelle Fairley	Mrs. Nickerson

The Essex embarked on its journey from Nantucket in August 1819 for what was intended to be a two-and-a-half-year whaling expedition. Tragically, over a year later, on November 20, 1820, while situated approximately 2,000 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the vessel suffered catastrophic damage when a whale rammed into it multiple times, ultimately causing it to sink. The survivors faced dire conditions as they salvaged wreckage, regrouped in smaller boats, and set sail for the nearest inhabited land—a perilous endeavor that did not turn out well.

Significantly, the narrative of the Essex’s aftermath, where survivors battled for survival, is thoroughly documented in In the Heart of the Sea. This gripping account also serves as a foundational backdrop for Melville’s masterpiece, Moby-Dick, wherein Ishmael narrates Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest for vengeance against the whale that crippled him.

Celebrating Holland’s Early Performance

Released shortly before Tom Holland’s highly anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Captain America: Civil War, In the Heart of the Sea stands out as one of Holland’s notable performances prior to his rise as a household name. While Holland showcases remarkable talent as young Thomas Nickerson, he had already garnered attention for his role in the disaster film The Impossible released in 2012.

Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, with a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the performances of the cast, including Holland’s, were generally well-received. Critics recognized the young actor’s potential, even though he starred alongside established names in the industry. Ultimately, the film served as a significant showcase of Holland’s skills ahead of his Spider-Man fame.

A Second Chance Through Netflix

Box Office Performance Review

Watch the Trailer

Unfortunately, In the Heart of the Sea did not achieve commercial success, grossing just over $94 million against a production budget of $100 million, thereby categorizing it as a box office flop. Critics expressed mixed sentiments, which possibly contributed to its underwhelming financial performance.

While the film’s premiere was not overshadowed by immediate competition, it did face significant obstacles, releasing just weeks after The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and mere days before the launch of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, one of the all-time box office champions. Such competition would undoubtedly impact its box office traction.

As it finds a new audience on Netflix, In the Heart of the Sea has an opportunity to redeem its initial reception and showcase the talent of its cast to a fresh viewership. This revival can shift perceptions and allow fans to appreciate the drama and storytelling of the film.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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