Not Without Hope Parent Guide
Profanity nearly sinks this film, which is an otherwise beautifully executed story of friendship and resilience.
Parent Movie Review
Based on the true story and autobiography by Nick Schuyler, Not Without Hope is a harrowing and beautifully executed story of friendship, resilience, faith, and pain.
Four friends—Nick (Zachary Levi), Marquis (Quentin Plair), Will (Marshall Cook), and Corey (Terrence Terrell)—embark on a deep-sea fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico the day before Marquis is set to relocate to a new NFL team. While out on the water, they are caught in a Class 2 cyclone that capsizes their boat. As concern grows, their families contact the Coast Guard, and Captain Timothy Close (Josh Duhamel) works tirelessly to locate them. Told through shifting timelines, the film follows the experiences of the men at sea, the Coast Guard’s search efforts, and Nick’s family waiting on shore.
In all honesty, I had a hard time writing this review because my notebook is absolutely drenched in tears (and that is not an exaggeration). The performances are extraordinary, the production and cinematography are masterful, and the story is deeply gripping. Knowing the film is based on a true story only amplifies its emotional weight. In my opinion, although Not Without Hope is classified as a thriller, I think it should be seen as a suspenseful drama.
I often struggle with true-story survival films and books, as they can sensationalize or glamorize the experiences of those who survive. Not Without Hope does the opposite. It leans into the mundanity of 42 hours at sea, the crucial role of mental perseverance, and the painful truth that sometimes perseverance isn’t enough. The film captures how survival and continued movement can be just as painful as loss itself.
While definitely not suited for children, the language is the most provocative element of the film. If a couple of dirty jokes and a lot of swearing doesn’t bother you, Not Without Hope is definitely worth a night at the movies.
Directed by Joe Carnahan. Starring Zachary Levi, Quentin Plair, Josh Duhamel. Running time: 119 minutes. Theatrical release December 12, 2025. Updated December 13, 2025About author
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Not Without Hope
Rating & Content Info
Why is Not Without Hope rated R? Not Without Hope is rated R by the MPAA for language throughout.
Violence: One character punches another during a hallucination. Several mild injuries are shown, with blood. There are multiple stressful and potentially frightening scenes. Multiple implied deaths are seen in a non-gory, non-graphic way.
Sexual Content: A couple of sexual jokes are made. One lewd gesture is shown in a joking manner.
Profanity: The script features at least seven mild profanities, 20 terms of deity in a non-religious context, and 115 moderate curse words.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Adults are seen drinking twice in appropriate settings, and not to excess.
Page last updated December 13, 2025
Home Video
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Another story of maritime survival is told in Adrift, which features a young couple who unintentionally sail into a ferocious hurricane. Another hurricane puts a fishing ship in peril, a true story told in The Perfect Storm. Robert Redford stars in All Is Lost, the tale of a solo sailor whose ship is damaged by floating debris. Last Breath has audiences holding their breath as they watch deep sea divers race to rescue a crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the surface. When the sea overtakes the land, disaster ensues: in The Impossible, a father finds himself trying to reunite his family after the 2004 South Asian tsunami.