Colin Farrell’s Chilling 5-Part Miniseries Is the Perfect Weekend Binge for Fans of ‘The Terror’

There have been relatively few oceanic adventure epics made in recent years, and even fewer that have tapped into the grounded horror of pre-20th century aquatic travel. Even if the notion of oceanic exploration is frequently associated with high-octane swashbuckling crowdpleasers, the grim reality is that it was a highly dangerous form of transportation that required those with the coldest of hearts to participate. The North Water feels like a piece of old-fashioned epic filmmaking, as its scope and scale are equivalent to a classic from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The cinematic qualities should come as no surprise, given that the series was created and directed by the brilliant British filmmaker Andrew Haigh. Although Haigh’s movies up until this point have primarily fallen in the social drama genre, The North Water applies the same emotional gravity to a historical epic filled with graphic horror.

Based on the acclaimed 2016 novel of the same name, The North Water follows a group of sailors who travel on a whaling expedition into the Arctic Ocean in 1859, shortly before the whale oil trade began to decline. Leading the crew is Captain Arthur Brownlee (Stephen Graham), a veteran of maritime travels who assembles a crew filled with misfits and miscreants; among those who join his team are the surgeon Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell), the ex-criminal Henry Drax (Colin Farrell), and the caustic first mate Michael Cavendish (Sam Spruell). Brownlee describes the journey to his men as being a true journey into hell, and his description is apt for the disturbing, frighteningly operatic epic that The North Water becomes.

‘The North Water’ Is an Old-Fashioned Maritime Epic

The North Water is smart in identifying how expeditions like this required men of a very specific personality and lifestyle to take part in them, as nothing about the extended trips from home was for the faint of heart. The series suggests that a trip to the Arctic is an escape of sorts for those who want to erase or reflect upon their past. In some cases, it is a noble pursuit, as Sumner is attempting to move past his guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder after not being able to save the lives of patients that were under his care; on the flipside, Drax is wanted for his crimes and is trying to start a new life where he will no longer be constantly in fear of being identified. While these are compelling characters who are seemingly all that they appear to be, Haigh is brilliant in revealing layers as the series continues and the journey becomes even more perilous. Despite being a man of honor, Sumner does have a darkness that resides inside of him that he has to suppress; alternatively, Drax does occasionally ponder if he can truly be redeemed, even if he feels that his actions have ensured that he will forever be damned.

Haigh’s perceptive writing style ensures that The North Water has a solid grasp on the way that members of a crew would interact with one another. While none of them are necessarily friendly, given that their sole purpose is executing a job, the heightened danger and confined setting mean that these strangers are forced to open up to one another. The North Water doesn’t shy away from the brutality of such voyages, as it explores how younger members of the crew were forced to endure horrific abuse at the hands of the older sailors. At the same time, Sumner becomes an inspirational figure on the vessel because he offers a glimpse of hope. At a time in which medical science was still developing, Sumner’s understanding of human body mechanics made him feel almost glorious to his shipmates.

‘The North Water’ Is a Brutal Survivalist Tale

The North Water is more than just another expedition disaster story because the series implies that the crew’s greatest obstacles are of their own making, with greed and deception ultimately to blame. While the series is breathtaking in exploring the perilous conditions of the Arctic, Haigh also finds the beauty in a side of nature that was perhaps meant to be left unexplored. The show may be telling a very specific story about a moment in history when the ocean was being monopolized by both governments and criminal groups, but its message about nature’s vengeance applies to any moment in time.

The North Water is unquestionably a challenging show, as it presents a toxic perspective on masculinity and shows how desperation can turn to barbarism. That being said, there’s also a message about the triumph of the human spirit that is quite moving; there’s a fascinating debate to be had on whether Haigh intended the series to be optimistic or pessimistic, as both perspectives are legitimate. Even at its darkest, the show never lacks humanity, which is a testament to the excellent performances from Farrell, Graham, and O’Connell in particular. Although multiple seasons of a show with such a downbeat tone and visceral encapsulation of violence might have been too taxing, even for those who enjoy gritty television, five episodes are more than enough to tell a complete and satisfying epic story on an impressive scale.