It may be considered a subgenre, but survival films have indeed managed to find an audience that loves the premise: people struggling against the odds to survive. Netflix drama Nowhere is one such movie, a harrowing story of a pregnant woman trapped in a shipping container that is abandoned in the middle of the ocean, waiting to give birth and fighting against the water slowly filling the container and being buffeted by the very power of nature itself. If this is your thing, we’ve collated 10 movies like Nowhere that we know you’ll enjoy.
It’s a tense and somewhat topical film, made more palpable by the central performance of Anna Castillo and the claustrophobic direction of Albert Pinto.
The harrowing tone did get us wondering if there are other films that match this production in tone and premise.
10 Movies like Nowhere (2023)
Dead Calm (1989)
We start with a late eighties classic, with three incredible leads that hold the whole thing together. John and Rae Ingram have taken to the open sea, hoping to forget the tragic past and encountering a mysterious stranger stranded on his sinking boat.
Of course, they do the right thing and take him on board, but this leads to a suspenseful, deadly Hitchcockian game of cat and mouse that reminds you to be careful who you share your ride with.
Ex B list phantom superhero and star of Zombie Killers: Elephant Graveyard Billy Zane excels as the sinister Hughie, turning Nicole Kidman’s and Sam Neil’s sea-faring holiday into a nightmare.
Open Water (2003)
Based on a real-life story, this entry has another couple in trouble at sea, this time trying to survive against the elements and sharks. Left behind by their boat on a scuba diving expedition, Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis are left floating alone in the Caribbean with no way of making it to shore and everything turning against them
The style and tone of this film is a somber one, like Nowhere, and the dark path this film takes makes it a very disturbing entry on our list.
Life of Pi (2012)
Another two survivors of a disaster at sea make this film what it is. However, one of them is a tiger. Directed by Ang Lee, the film explores the relationship between man and animal and is based on a best-selling book by Yann Martell.
The book was more based on philosophical teachings, and the film does its best to explore the more spiritual aspects of the narrative, as well as make a darn fine movie.
The Shallows (2016)
A gossipy friend of Sesame Street, Blake Lively, is front and center in this sea survival story that follows surfer Nancy, stranded on a rock just two hundred yards from the shore after being bit by a shark and unable to get back to the beach.
With nobody but a wounded seagull for company, she has to watch as a drunk wanders onto the beach and steals all her stuff too, while Jaws becomes more determined to eat her.
She does her best to save her new pet, Steven Seagull, and a flare gun and a whale carcass add to the somewhat incredulous final act.
Adrift (2018)
Couple Tami and Richard fall in love, then fall foul of a hurricane in this story of survival that is based on real events. They naively set sail straight into the hurricane, leaving Richard badly hurt and their ship in a state of disrepair, and Tami has to fight not just for herself but for her injured true love.
Oddly, the end credits still state, “The persons and events in this motion picture are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons or events is unintentional.” Despite the fact, the film is based on a true story.
All Is Lost (2013)
1970s Gatsby and horse whisperer Robert Redford stars in this film and is pretty much the only character in the whole production. Redford is on his own, struggling on his boat that is struck by a shipping container and becoming perilously close to sinking.
Redford’s career makes him Hollywood royalty, and his filmography is a thing of wonder, but if you are of a certain age, you will probably recognize him as Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Capsized: Trapped in the Water (2019)
Here is another entry that has its roots in reality: this time, a yacht heading for Florida hits a storm and ends up capsizing, stranding its crew in the water and becoming prey for the tiger sharks that operate there.
Released as a made-for-television movie, the budget is low, so it relies more on a slow burn, and how much you enjoy it will depend on how invested you are in the true story behind the film.
The Perfect Storm (2000)
Rubbish Batman and coffee seller George Clooney stars with Mark Wahlberg in this survival at sea story based on the book by Sébastien Junger that covered an incredible series of natural phenomena that resulted in a storm to end all others.
The crew of the Andrea Gail is caught up in the devastating storm at sea, and the film is a masterclass in building tension and making you care about the characters.
Although based on real events, the film actually covers various different encounters that people had during the storm and blends them into one movie.
Buried (2010)
Going slightly off the beaten track here but still dealing with an isolated protagonist trapped in a life-threatening situation is buried. Amiable UK soccer team owner and X-rated Marvel icon Ryan Reynolds finds himself buried alive after being attacked by a group of Iraqis while driving his truck through Iraq.
You would think that with the help of his cell phone, he would be able to get some help, but it’s not that simple, and the air is running out.
Tense, claustrophobic, and frustrating, this is a tense survival film that left Reynolds stating he would not want to film anything like this again.
Maidentrip (2013)
After all the horror of the above films, we thought it might be nice to leave you with something a little more inspiring. This documentary will cover the incredible story of a fourteen-year-old sailor, Laura Dekker, who sets out to become the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the world.
The film is an inspiring story of bravery and dedication, filled with some stunning shots, and evokes the feelings that Laura experienced during her trip. Those feelings are what make this movie similar to Nowhere.
Empowering and inspiring, this should be mandatory viewing at high schools everywhere.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like 2023’s Nowhere? Let us know in the comments.
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