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Entertainment • Film

Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips is a 2013 American biographical action thriller film directed by Paul Greengrass.

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

Captain Phillips is a 2013 American biographical action thriller film directed by Paul Greengrass. It dramatizes the 2009 hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates and stars Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips. The film is based on the book A Captain's Duty by Richard Phillips.

Plot and historical basis

The film dramatizes the seizure of the MV Maersk Alabama off the Somali coast in April 2009 and the subsequent hostage crisis involving Captain Richard Phillips. It is based on real events rather than an original fictional story. The screenplay was adapted from Richard Phillips's book A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea.

Cast

Tom Hanks portrays Richard Phillips, while Barkhad Abdi portrays the pirate captain Muse. The film also features supporting performances by Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, and others.

Production and release

Captain Phillips was directed by Paul Greengrass and released in 2013. It is a U.S. production with a theatrical release in October 2013. The film is widely available in Canada through streaming and home-video releases.

Reception and classification

The film is commonly categorized as a drama, biography, and action-thriller. It is rated PG-13 in listed streaming and review sources.

Key facts

  • The film is based on the 2009 hijacking of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates.
  • Tom Hanks plays Captain Richard Phillips, the ship’s commanding officer.
  • Barkhad Abdi plays Muse, the pirate leader who takes Phillips hostage.
  • The story centers on the standoff between the ship’s crew, the pirates, and the U.S. Navy.
  • The screenplay was adapted from Richard Phillips’s book A Captain's Duty.
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Canadian context

The film is widely available in Canada through streaming and home-video releases, and it is commonly used in discussions of maritime security, piracy, and true-story cinema for Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Captain Phillips about?
It is about the 2009 hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates and the hostage crisis involving Captain Richard Phillips.
Who directed Captain Phillips?
Paul Greengrass directed the film.
Who stars in Captain Phillips?
Tom Hanks stars as Richard Phillips, and Barkhad Abdi plays the pirate leader Muse.
Is Captain Phillips based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real Maersk Alabama hijacking in 2009.
What book is Captain Phillips based on?
It was adapted from A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips with Stephan Talty.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535109/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot overview; Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips; Barkhad Abdi as Muse; Somali pirate hostage crisis
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Phillips_(film)
    Supports: 2013 American biographical action-thriller film; directed by Paul Greengrass; based on the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535109/
    Supports: True-story premise; 2009 hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama; Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi casting
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70243460
    Supports: 2013 release; PG-13 rating; drama classification; Somali pirate hijacking premise
  5. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m6130/captain-phillips
    Supports: Based on Richard Phillips's book; 2013 nationwide release; DVD/Blu-ray release date
  6. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/captain-phillips
    Supports: True-story summary; Maersk Alabama hijacking; plot details involving the Navy and pirates