In the Heart of the Sea is a 2015 adventure drama film directed by Ron Howard. It is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Nathaniel Philbrick. Tom Holland plays the role of Thomas Nickerson, a young cabin boy aboard the whaling ship Essex. The film tells the true story of the ship's sinking by a giant whale and the crew's struggle for survival. In the Heart of the Sea is a thrilling and visually stunning film that showcases Tom Holland's talent as a young actor.