There’s a 2000 Tom Hanks movie on Netflix that you have to add to your watchlist
If you’re queuing up your next movie night on Netflix, there’s a 2000 Tom Hanks movie that you cannot skip out: Cast Away.
Considering the current hype around survival thrillers on streaming, especially following Thrash and Apex, this 2000s addition perfectly fits the bill, serving class, quality, and nostalgia hot on the plate.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Cast Away stars Hanks as workaholic FedEx systems analyst Chuck Noland, whose cargo plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean in the aftermath of a massive storm, leaving him as the sole survivor on an uninhabited island. Stripped of modern conveniences, he struggles to secure basic necessities.
As a result of being profoundly lonely, he ultimately paints a bloody face onto a volleyball, naming it “Wilson” and treating it like a living companion to not lose himself. However, Cast Away is way more than just “that movie where Tom Hanks befriends and talks to a volleyball” because, believe it or not, you’ll find yourself ugly crying over a volleyball in no time. The relationship underscores the basic human psychological need for connection to survive.
In addition to the story’s emotional core, Hanks showcases a masterclass in solo performance, carrying the majority of emotional and physical weight in Cast Away himself. Righteously, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance, and revisiting his character’s psychological transformation amidst the current frenzy of survival dramas just scratches the itch.
Having said that, unlike many modern survival movies that prioritise heavy action, Cast Away focuses on the painstaking reality of primitive survival. Additionally, what ensures viewers are immersed and feel part of that reality is the fascinating focus on realism in conveying his isolation through the shadow play of absences that makes them feel stuck there with him.
While Cast Away is undoubtedly a powerful story about resilience, acceptance, and adjustment, Hanks brings one of his career-best performances, for which he actually travelled the extra mile. Fun fact: after most of the shooting was over, production was stopped for a considerable period so that the actor could lose 50 pounds and grow out his beard.
So, if you appreciate authenticity, incredible artistry, and stories that speak both visually and psychologically, it’s time to make room for Cast Away on your Netflix watchlist now.