08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Harrowing disaster which killed 11 people now 'heartbreaking' Netflix film
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Deepwater Horizon, the emotionally charged retelling of real-life events, stands as a must-see film for those who seek both drama and heart-touching narratives. Peter Berg's 2016 disaster movie provides an unflinching look at the devastating Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that occurred in 2010.
The narrative pays tribute to the 11 workers who died during the tragic incident and features an all-star cast including Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Gina Rodriguez, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, and Dylan O'Brien. Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie hit theatres in September 2016.
Despite being made on a hefty budget of $110 million, Deepwater Horizon didn't fare well commercially, earning just shy of $122 million globally – failing to recoup its costs. Nonetheless, it snagged two Oscar nominations for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects, and won Best Sound at the 70th BAFTA Awards.
Mark Wahlberg, on ABC News' Good Morning America, spoke of his unease during filming. "What was really sketchy is when they lit me and Dylan O'Brien on fire," he said.
(Image: Dumfries And Galloway Standard)
"They lit us on fire, and I didn't feel too comfortable with that. They put gel and stuff on you, but then, you know, they put some other fluid on you and then they light you on fire and then they walk away.
"And then the other guy goes and grabs his coffee and then he's like, 'Hold on a second. We ready to roll?' And I'm like, 'Dude, I'm on fire. Roll!'," reports the Daily Record.
On the message the film tried to convey, he said: "Everybody knew about the environmental disaster, and it was horrific. But what people failed to recognize, or at least what the media failed to acknowledge, I think to the point where it was deserved, was that 11 people lost their lives. That was overlooked and for me it was a big surprise."
The film was adapted from a December 2010 New York Times article, Deepwater Horizon's Final Hours, written by David Barstow, David Rohde, and Stephanie Saul. The screenplay was written by Matthew Michael Carnahan and Matthew Sand.
Mark added: "Once I read the script and I read the New York Times piece, I was just shocked. I realise obviously a lot of people were affected, jobs were lost, the fishing industry was completely destroyed, but 11 people lost their lives.
(Image: HANDOUT / FREE FROM PR)
"Other people can find other jobs and other means, but those people aren't coming back. And we wanted to acknowledge them and their memory and honour them in a way that we felt they deserved and it was long overdue."
Deepwater Horizon, released to critical acclaim, was a winner among audiences too. One critic said: "Admittedly, the heroics are overblown, but there's a devastating clarity in the way the script defines the causes of the disaster."
Praise continued to roll in, with another viewer saying: "Deepwater Horizon is that rare disaster blockbuster that is thrilling without sacrificing story or character." Another wrote: "In short, Peter Berg has done it again. You come out shaken with excitement, but with a touch of shame, too, at being so easily thrilled."
Another viewer said: "BLOCK BUSTER! I only do 5 stars for a very few films. Great story, awesome cast and acting. Gripping visually. Great pacing. This movie checks all of the boxes for an action flick."
The sentiment was echoed by another reviewer who wrote: "One of the best disaster movies I've seen, apparently very close to the true events. Had me gripped right up to the emotional 'silent' conclusion. See it."
Another said: "One of the few disaster movies I have watched more than once for the excellent acting and the reality of the events. The movie does a great job focusing on the men and women involved. We understand not only the enormity of the spill but the danger and mentality of the workers and officials."
Deepwater Horizon is available to stream on Netflix.
