Summary
TheCaptain Phillipscast features one Hollywood veteran and several new faces. Now streaming on Netflix,Captain Phillipsis based on the true storyof the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates.Tom Hanks leads the cast as the titular Captain Richard Phillips, the ship’s commanding officer who is taken hostage by the pirates, led by their ruthless leader Muse, played by a new actor in a breakout role. The filmfocuses on the intense standoff between the crew and the pirates, highlighting Phillips' harrowing ordeal and his desperate struggle for survival.
Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film was released in 2013 to widespread critical acclaim, earning an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and audiences praised the film for its intense, realistic depiction of the hijacking, with Greengrass’s signature handheld camera work and documentary-style realism effectively immersing viewers in the high-stakes environment.Tom Hanks' performance as Captain Phillipswas also widely commended, especially for the ending scene. However, the actors playing the pirates completely stole the show, with the main one winning a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Andrea Phillips
Captain Phillips Ending Explained
The 2013 film Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks, features a dramatic and tense ending that is one of the best performances in Hanks' career.
Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips
Date Of Birth: July 24, 2025
Actor:Born in Concord, California, Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and versatile actors. He began his acting career in the early 1980s with a string of TV roles, buthis breakout came in 1984 with the romantic comedySplash.Hanks quickly became known for his everyman charm and exceptional range, starring in beloved films such asBig,A League of Their Own,Sleepless in Seattle, andPhiladelphia.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s,Tom Hanks made some of his best movies, fromForrest GumptoSaving Private Ryan,Cast Away, andThe Green Mile. More recently, he has continued to impress with roles inBridge of Spies,A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, andA Man Called Otto.Movies that define Tom Hanks' careerdemonstrate his unbelievable range as an actor over his decades-long career.
Tom Hanks has received six Oscar nominations and won twice. He has also been nominated for 15 Golden Globes, winning four times.
A Man Called Otto
Otto Anderson
Character:Captain Richard Phillips is a seasoned and courageous leader who faces an unprecedented crisis. As captain of the Maersk Alabama, Phillips navigates the perilous waters off the Somali coast with a steadfast dedication to his crew’s safety.His character is defined by resilience and quick thinkingwhen the ship gets hijacked by Somali pirates. Phillips' unwavering resolve and ability to remain composed under extreme pressure make him a compelling protagonist, showcasing his profound commitment to duty amid the harrowing ordeal he endures to protect his crew and vessel.
Barkhad Abdi as Abduwali Muse
Date Of Birth: June 22, 2025
Actor:Barkhad Abdi was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, andCaptain Phillipsmarked his acting debutin one of thebest performances by non-professional actors. This breakout role won him a BAFTA Award and earned him nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Since then, Abdi has appeared in notable films such asEye in the Sky,Good Time,The Pirates of Somalia, andBlade Runner 2049. On television, he starred in the second season of the Hulu seriesCastle Rockand had a recurring role in the Showtime satireThe Curse.
Eye in the Sky
The Curse
Abshir
Character:Abduwali Muse is the determined and resourceful leader among a group of Somali pirates seeking to capture a lucrative ransom from the Maersk Alabama. His character embodies a blend of calculated aggression and raw desperation. He is driven by a deep-seated sense of injustice and the desire to improve the lives of his fellow Somalis through the spoils of piracy.Muse is both ruthless and vulnerable.His interactions with Captain Phillips reveal a complex dynamic of mutual respect tinged with suspicion and fear.
Pirate Expert Analyzes The Accuracy Of Tom Hanks' Biopic 10 Years Later
A pirate expert breaks down the accuracy of Tom Hanks' box office hit Captain Phillips ten years after the true-life movie hit theaters.
Captain Phillips Supporting Cast & Characters
These Include A Range Of Relatively New Actors
Barkhad Abdirahman as Adan Bilal:Barkhad Abdirahman portrays Adan Bilal, one of the Somali pirates under Abduwali Muse’s command. Bilal plays a significant role in the tense hijacking of the Maersk Alabama. Since 2013, Abdirahman has acted in Ayaanle, the Oscar-nominated short filmWatu Wote: All of Us, andA Stray.
Faysal Ahmed as Nour Najee:Nour Najee is another Somali pirate under Muse. He is played by Faysal Ahmed, who has since acted inA Stray, Watu Wote: All of Us,andSicario: Day of the Soldado.
Mahat M. Ali as Walid Elmi:Mahat M. Ali has mainly only acted inCaptain Phillips,playing Walid Elmi, one of the Somali pirates. Since then, he acted in a short film titledNeighborhoods.
Michael Chernus as Shane Murphy:Michael Chernus, recognized for his roles inOrange Is the New BlackandSpider-Man: Homecoming, plays Shane Murphy inCaptain Phillips. Murphy is a crew member of the Maersk Alabama whose presence adds tension and perspective to the harrowing ordeal faced during the ship’s hijacking.
David Warshofsky as Mike Perry:Mike Perry is the first officer, a key figure among the crew of the Maersk Alabama. He is essayed by David Warshofsky, known for playing Cal Chapman on Netflix’sOrange Is the New Blackand Phineas Mason / Tinkerer in the MCU’sSpider-Man: Homecoming.
Corey Johnson as Ken Quinn:Corey Johnson is recognized for his roles inHellboyandThe Bourne Ultimatum.InCaptain Phillips,he portrays Ken Quinn, the helmsman in the ship’s crew.
Chris Mulkey as John Cronan:John Cronan is a senior member of Captain Phillips' ship. He is played by Chris Mulkey, known for his cameo role inWhiplashand his recurring role inTwin Peaks.
Yul Vazquez as Commander Frank Castellano:Yul Vazquez is recognized for his roles in films likeRunaway Bride, Bad Boys II,andAmerican Gangster,along with TV shows likeRussian Doll,Severance, andHotel Cocaine.He portrays Commander Frank Castellano inCaptain Phillips. Castellano leads the U.S. Navy response to the hijacking as commanding officer of the USS Bainbridge.
Catherine Keener as Andrea Phillips:Catherine Keener essays the role of Andrea Phillips, Captain Richard Phillips' wife, inCaptain Phillips. Keener is most known for her Academy Award-nominated supporting roles inBeing John MalkovichandCapote.
Captain Phillips
Cast
Starring Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips tells the story of the titular captain whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. A fictionalized version of real-life events, the film follows Captain Phillips and his crew as they fight for their lives against a group of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse. Besides Hanks, Barkhad Abdi and Catherine Keener also star.
