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Hong Kong, United States · 2016
Rated PG-13 · 1h 47m
Director Peter Berg
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez
Genre Action, Drama
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Based on the real-life events of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the film follows Chief Electronics Technician Mike Williams' harrowing escape from the drilling rig. The blowout of oil lasted for 87 days and became the worst oil disaster in U.S. history.
When all hell breaks loose, Berg stages the action horribly well, capturing the panic and gruesome mayhem without the film ever feeling exploitative. It’s spectacularly constructed, yet it doesn’t forget about the loss of life, ensuring that, despite thin characterisation, the impact is felt.
RogerEbert.com by Brian Tallerico
As is often the case with Berg’s films, it’s technically accomplished, but it’s lacking the depth of a project that comes from a creative spark. Everything here feels routine—more like an inevitability than a work of art or even a piece of entertainment.
An efficient and no-nonsense depiction of the worst disaster in US oil drilling history, buoyed by excellent performances.
It turns a major tragedy into a minor disaster movie.
Screen International by Fionnuala Halligan
If nothing else, Deepwater Horizon makes a case for going back to basics with action films. It’s classically framed, executed, and feels like the real deal, and while it clearly boasts some fine effects work, it manages to lose the cartoonish aspect of so many recent tentpoles.
The Playlist by Gregory Ellwood
Outside of the Berg’s incredible depiction of the Deepwater’s destruction and the escape of a majority of its crew, the picture also benefits from two fantastic performances by Wahlberg and Rodriguez.
The Film Stage by Jordan Ruimy
Deepwater Horizon reminds us just how talented an action director Berg is and how often substance becomes a second thought for the director.
For a movie in which you can’t follow what’s going on for 75% of the time, Deepwater Horizon proves remarkably thrilling.
It’s a thrilling film with impressive set pieces, solid acting and a pulse-pounding climax. Movie-wise, mission mostly accomplished. But to experience Deepwater Horizon and ignore the external circumstances surrounding its creation is a difficult task.
The Hollywood Reporter by Todd McCarthy
Director Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg deliver the goods again with a rugged drama about an incident that created an environmental disaster and a worldwide scandal.
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