Deepwater Horizon
Summary
"Deepwater Horizon" is a 2016 disaster film based on the true story of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The movie follows the heroic actions of the rig's crew, including chief electronics technician Mike Williams, as they try to survive the disaster. The film begins with Williams leaving his family to travel to the oil rig for a three-week shift. When he arrives, he notices some unusual activities, but the BP executives ignore his concerns and proceed with their drilling plans. As a result, the rig explodes, and Williams and his colleagues must work together to escape the burning rig. The film portrays the harrowing experiences of the crew, including their struggle to shut down the rig's machinery and contain the resulting oil spill. It also highlights the mistakes made by BP executives and the impact of the disaster on the environment and the people living in the affected areas.
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion was an unparalleled pollution disaster caused by one of the largest oil companies in the U.S. It took place 40 miles off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The cement pipe on the rig plunged eighteen thousand feet under the sea floor and used pressure from mud to keep the oil from exploding out. As the film makes clear, lack of inspections to save money coupled with weak cement caused the rig to explode under the pressure of the oil. 200 million gallons of oil spewed into the Gulf, harming countless numbers of wildlife, fisheries and livelihoods. The explosion resulted in the deaths of eleven people and one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.
Eco Horror Narratives
At its core, eco-horror is concerned with the intersection of ecological and social systems, highlighting the ways in which environmental degradation can lead to social and psychological breakdowns. This genre has become increasingly relevant in recent years, as the impact of climate change and environmental degradation has become more apparent and widespread. The 2016 film "Deepwater Horizon" can be seen as a powerful example of eco-horror storytelling, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of human actions on the environment and human lives.
The film begins with a depiction of the natural environment of the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the diverse marine life and ecosystems that exist in the region. This initial portrayal of the natural world is then juxtaposed with the arrival of the BP oil rig and the beginning of drilling operations.
The film highlights the greed and negligence of BP executives, who ignore warnings about the safety of the rig and continue drilling, leading to the catastrophic explosion. The film portrays the explosion in vivid and horrifying detail to emphasize the terrifying effect humans can have on the environment. The film also depicts the impact of the disaster on the local communities, who rely on the Gulf of Mexico for their livelihoods and whose lives are upended by the disaster.
The film can be seen as an example of eco-horror storytelling in several ways. First, the film highlights how connected the environment and social systems can be, demonstrating how the breakdown of the natural world can have profound consequences for human societies. The film shows how environmental destruction can result in social and psychological breakdowns, as the rig's crew struggle to survive in the face of unimaginable danger and trauma.
Scene Analysis
One important scene from the movie occurs before the explosion of the rig. One of the rig managers goes to scold the BP executives for cutting corners on the expectation and repair process. The manager, Jimmy Harrell says, “You’re a 180 billion dollar company, and you’re cheatin’,” to which the BP executive responds and says, “That’s why we're a 186 billion dollar company…we worry about our bills.” This part in the film highlights the neglect big corporations like BP have towards the environment and safety of others.
This scene highlights the expressions of the executives as calm and carefree using close-up shots. Their carefree and neglectful attitude in the face of incoming disaster is meant to invoke an angered response from the audience as it demonstrates just how preventable this disaster was.
Conclusion
The film is effective in highlighting the role of corporate greed and negligence in exacerbating environmental problems. The BP executives in the film prioritize profits over safety, leading to the catastrophic explosion and the resulting environmental disaster. This aspect of the film reflects the eco-horror genre's critique of corporate and government actions that prioritize profit over environmental protection and public health.
The movie is especially hard-hitting in an eco horror perspective because it is derived from a true story. The film’s purpose is to educate and make people more aware of current ecological disasters and their devastating impacts. The film is effective in demonstrating not just the environmental impacts of pollution, but the social and psychological impacts as well, invoking a more emotional response from the audience, as it makes the oil spill more personal to humans.
