Deepwater Horizon

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon rig, operated by Transocean for BP, gets ready to start operations off the southern coast of Louisiana. The crew, including Michael 'Mike' Williams and his superior James 'Jimmy' Harrell, are briefed on their tasks for the day and the urgency to begin production.

Crew members are alarmed to find that Schlumberger workers conducting the critical concrete foundation tests are being dismissed early. Donald Vidrine, a BP liaison, insists on this early dismissal, pressuring the crew to proceed despite glaring safety concerns.

After engaging with Donald Vidrine, Harrell manages to convince him to conduct a pressure test. Unfortunately, the condition of the well proves to be even more unstable than anticipated, signaling trouble ahead for the crew.

Just as Harrell tries to address the instability with Vidrine, he is pulled away by BP executives. They wish to present him with a safety award, showcasing the corporate disconnect from the brewing crisis.

In a reckless decision, Vidrine conducts another pressure test, which initially appears successful due to blockages. This leads him to demand that the well be opened, despite the associated risks and the crew's earlier warnings about the well's condition.

After a short period of seemingly stable operations, the already fragile foundation of the well collapses. This catastrophic blowout sends oil surging uncontrollably, putting the lives of all the crew members at significant risk.

Amidst the chaos, Andrea Fleytas, the rig’s navigation officer, attempts to inform the Coast Guard about the disaster unfolding. However, her urgent messages are dismissed by her supervisor, who believes there’s no immediate danger.

As the rig begins to burn and chaos erupts, the crew faces a frantic evacuation. An incident with an agitated pelican further complicates matters as nearby vessels hurry towards the rig, aiming to rescue the crew.

In a heroic moment, Dale Burkeen sacrifices his life to save others by preventing a burning crane from collapsing onto the crew. Meanwhile, Mike and Caleb manage to secure Vidrine, ensuring his safe exit from the disaster.

As the crew hesitates to activate the pipe-cutting valve necessary to seal the well, their indecision contributes to the worsening crisis. By the time Harrell reaches the control bridge, the situation has spiraled out of control.

Finally acknowledging the disaster, the Coast Guard deploys a rescue vessel to the site. As the inferno continues to engulf the rig, the crew holds on desperately for hope amidst the rising flames.

Realizing that all evacuation options are vanishing, Mike discovers an emergency life raft. As the rig faces its inevitable destruction, he and Andrea leap into the ocean, managing to signal for rescue from the cold waves.

The blowout preventer fails, leading to an extraordinary environmental disaster with the release of 210 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems becomes apparent in the aftermath.

After enduring the nightmare, the surviving workers reunite with their families in a hotel lobby. The emotions run high, culminating in a confrontation as a relative of one of the deceased questions Mike about the tragic loss of their loved one.

The film concludes with real-life testimonials from Mike Williams, reflecting on the events post-disaster. It highlights the frustration that no individuals from Transocean or BP faced prosecution for their roles in the catastrophic event.