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Adrift

Adrift is a 2018 survival drama film directed and produced by Baltasar Kormákur.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Adrift is a 2018 survival drama film directed and produced by Baltasar Kormákur. It stars Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin as a couple stranded in the Pacific Ocean after a hurricane, and is based on Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s memoir about a real-life sailing ordeal. The film was released in the United States by STXfilms on June 1, 2018.

Premise

The film follows a couple whose sailing trip is disrupted by a hurricane, leaving them stranded in the Pacific Ocean with a damaged boat and limited means of communication.

Production

Adrift was directed and produced by Baltasar Kormákur and written by David Branson Smith, Aaron Kandell, and Jordan Kandell. It adapts Ashcraft’s memoir, which recounts the events that inspired the film.

Release and reception

The film was released in U.S. theatres on June 1, 2018. Reported critical response was mixed, with praise for the performances and cinematography but criticism of the familiar plot structure.

Key facts

  • The film is based on a true story involving Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s solo survival at sea after Hurricane Raymond in 1983.
  • Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin play the central roles of the stranded couple.
  • Baltasar Kormákur directed and produced the film.
  • It was released in the United States by STXfilms on June 1, 2018.
  • Review coverage described the film as visually strong, while noting that critics were divided on the story.
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Canadian context

The film is available to Canadian audiences through standard international film distribution and is listed on the Canadian Wikipedia edition as well as other regional sources.[3]

Frequently asked questions

What is Adrift about?
It is about a couple who are stranded at sea after a hurricane and must survive with a damaged boat and limited supplies.
Is Adrift based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s memoir, which recounts a real survival story from 1983.
Who directed Adrift?
Baltasar Kormákur directed the film.
Who stars in Adrift?
Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star in the lead roles.
When was Adrift released?
It was released in the United States on June 1, 2018.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrift_(2018_film)
    Supports: Core details: 2018 survival drama film, director, writers, cast, basis on memoir, U.S. release date, and critical reception.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/adrift_2018
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, and plot synopsis.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/adrift-2018
    Supports: True-story background and the real-life survival ordeal that inspired the film.
  4. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/Adrift-Movie-tie-Story-Survival/dp/0062868209
    Supports: Book tie-in description and memoir title.