One of the greatest scenes of Tom Hanks‘ entire 44-year career is in a movie that just released on Netflix. He is one of the best actors in Hollywood. Movies that define Tom Hanks’ career demonstrate his unbelievable acting range. He began in comedy, showcasing his knack for humor and charm, from Bosom Buddies to Ron Howard’s Splash, to The Money Pit alongside Shelley Long. However, his career truly took off in the late 1980s with the film Big, where his performance as a child in an adult’s body highlighted his unique ability to blend innocence with comedic timing.

The 1990s were a defining decade for Hanks, with his performance in Philadelphia earning him his first Oscar, followed by roles in Forrest Gump, which won him a second Oscar and became a cultural phenomenon, and Saving Private Ryan, considered one of the greatest war films ever made. One of Tom Hanks’ best movies was Toy Story, where he cemented his versatility. Within such an illustrious career, this movie has one of his best-acted scenes, and it just dropped on Netflix.

Captain Philips Is Now On Netflix – What The Movie Is About

A Ship Gets Hijacked By Somali Pirates

Now streaming on Netflix, Captain Phillips is a biographical drama movie based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. Tom Hanks stars as Captain Richard Phillips, the ship’s commanding officer who is taken hostage by the pirates, led by their ruthless leader Muse, played by Barkhad Abdi in one of the best performances by a non-professional actor. The plot centers around the intense standoff between the crew and the pirates, ultimately focusing on Phillips’ harrowing ordeal and his struggle to survive.

Directed by Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips released in 2013 to positive reviews, with an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and audiences alike commended the film for its intense and realistic depiction of the hijacking. Indeed, a pirate expert found that Captain Phillips accurately depicts the dangers and tactics used by Somali pirates when boarding larger ships. The film’s tension is further heightened by Greengrass’s signature handheld camera work and documentary-style realism, which immerses the audience in the chaotic and high-stakes environment of the hijacking. Hanks’ performance was also a crucial aspect of the movie’s success.

Captain Phillips’ Ending Scene Has One Of Tom Hanks’ Best-Ever Performances

He Humanizes The Heroic Character

Tom Hanks delivers a masterful performance throughout Captain Phillips, but it is the final five minutes of the film that truly stand out as some of his finest acting. After Captain Phillips is rescued, Hanks portrays a man reeling from profound shock and trauma with such raw authenticity that it is almost unbearable to watch. While the movie could have ended with his heroism in leading his crew to survival, it chooses to humanize its protagonist, depicting the personal toll it takes on him.

As medical personnel examine him, the once composed and determined captain breaks down as he begins to process the horrors he has endured. With his fragmented speech and distant gaze, Hanks renders this deep psychological and emotional turmoil with immense empathy. As Phillips’ begins to cry, Tom Hanks‘ performance ensures the audience, too, heaves a collective sigh and releases the biting tension held throughout Captain Phillips. This scene stands among Hanks’ best work, even within his towering filmography across nearly five decades.