A World War II naval thriller starring Tom Hanks is drawing praise online, with viewers calling it “excellent” and “immersive” for its stripped-back approach and relentless tension.
Originally released in July 2020, Greyhound was based on The Good Shepherd, a 1955 novel by British-American author C.S. Forester.
The film centres on a fictionalised version of the Battle of the Atlantic, focusing on one of the war’s most dangerous naval missions – the crossing of a convoy of Allied ships through “The Black Pit”, a mid-Atlantic zone beyond the range of air support and heavily targeted by German U-boats.
The film stars Tom Hanks as Commander Ernest Krause, a first-time captain in charge of leading the convoy across treacherous waters. Krause must fight fatigue, doubt, and the responsibility of having the lives of hundreds of sailors depending on his orders.
The script was written by Hanks himself, marking his third produced screenplay after That Thing You Do! (1996) and Larry Crowne (2011).
Directed by Aaron Schneider, Greyhound is notable for its real-time pacing and tight 91-minute runtime. It unfolds almost entirely aboard the lead destroyer, the USS Keeling (or the Greyhound), with no flashbacks, side plots, or scenes outside the ship.
The film maintains its focus on Krause’s decisions, the radio chatter of sonar operators, and the strategy needed to defend against a coordinated enemy assault.
Greyhound was initially scheduled for theatrical release by Sony Pictures. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release was cancelled.
Apple TV+ acquired the distribution rights for $70 million, and the film debuted on the streaming service on July 10, 2020 – quickly becoming one of the platform’s most viewed original films at the time.
Critical response to the film was broadly positive. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Greyhound currently holds a 78% score on the Tomatometer, based on over 250 reviews. The audience score sits at 76%.
One viewer wrote: “Was on the edge of my recliner for 90% of the movie! Loved it! My only frustration was that I did not comprehend all of the fast and hectic naval jargon. But nevertheless the excitement and thrill was fully understood. A sequel? Yes, please!”
Another commented: “One of the most immersive war films ever, possibly more immersive than Saving Private Ryan even. Sure, a thin background context and little in the way of deep human relationships but that’s not the point – it takes the viewer to the heart of one of the scariest places to be in WW2 and keeps you there.”
They added: “The lack of any reversion back to civilization means the viewer doesn’t escape the tension that every sailor would have felt. It makes it like a real-time experience in a way few movies, let alone WW2 movies, succeed in. Hanks is superb, but such is the quality of the direction and script that actually a number of fine actors could have played this role. A must watch, but pour yourself a large one before you start watching!”
Another viewer praised the film’s educational and historical value, writing: “Excellent film! The quality of the graphics was amazing. It made me feel like I was there. I love this movie because it helps people nowadays see what the soldiers and sailors had to go through in WWII. I highly recommend that you see this film.”
Greyhound was nominated for Best Sound at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021 and two BAFTAs.