Adrift 2018

The film opens with Tami Oldham waking up on the disabled yacht Hazaña after being unconscious for an undetermined period. As she regains her memories, she recalls that Richard Sharp is missing, leading her to frantically search the wrecked yacht. It soon dawns on her that he has been thrown overboard when his safety harness broke during a relentless hurricane. Overcome with despair, Tami realizes she is utterly alone, with no land or ships visible in any direction.

In a flashback to 1983, five months prior to the fateful storm, we see Tami arrive in Tahiti aboard the vessel Sofia, where she encounters the charming Richard. He invites her for dinner on his yacht, the Mayaluga, and during their meal, he shares his experience of suffering hallucinations while at sea.

Returning to present-day, Tami finds herself stranded on the crippled Hazaña, only to discover that all electronic devices have been damaged by water, leaving her unable to call for help. In a desperate attempt to locate Richard, she spots a dinghy with him barely hanging on. Against incredible odds, she tries to maneuver the yacht towards him but fails. When she nearly drowns after falling overboard, Tami is forced to take matters into her own hands. She ingeniously repairs the yacht, utilizing a broken pole to create a makeshift sail and a storm jib, while also employing a pump to keep the cabin dry.

After a grueling struggle, Tami manages to rescue Richard, only to find that he has suffered serious injuries—including broken ribs and a shattered leg. While scavenging for supplies, she realizes she has sustained a severe head injury herself. With remarkable resilience, Tami stitches her wound using a sail needle and thread.

We are taken back to the period shortly before the ill-fated voyage, where Tami and Richard meet Peter and Christine Crompton (Jeffrey Thomas and Elizabeth Hawthorne), who are the owners of the Hazaña yacht. The Cromptons offer Richard $10,000 and a first-class return ticket to Tahiti if he assists them by sailing their yacht to San Diego after a family emergency. At first reluctant, Tami agrees to join Richard after he proposes to her with a heartfelt handmade ring.

Back in the heat of battle against nature, Tami realizes that they have veered off course and decides to head towards Hawaii instead. She awakens one fateful night to a tanker heading directly for them. Despite firing multiple flares, the ship sails past them into the night. Feeling increasingly unnerved, Tami grapples with hallucinations while the reality of Richard’s condition deteriorates. He mentions ominously that the sky had turned a threatening red, indicating an approaching storm.

Just before the hurricane strikes, Tami and Richard learn about the severity of Hurricane Raymond. Ignoring the advice of caution, they continue towards San Diego but attempt to navigate around the storm. However, the storm unexpectedly shifts course, and the Hazaña is thrust into the eye of its turbulent wrath. The yacht is tossed mercilessly by rogue waves; the mainsail tears, and the boom breaks. Amidst the chaos, as Tami tries to stabilize their vessel, she is nearly thrown overboard but manages to hold on. In an emotional moment, Richard professes his love, insisting she seek shelter below. The storm’s fury peaks as a rogue wave capsizes the yacht. Tami sustains her severe head injury while Richard is thrown overboard, lost to the raging sea.

Returning to the present day, Tami faces the grim reality that her beloved Richard is gone. After battling despair, she spots islands on the horizon. Using her binoculars, she identifies a Japanese research vessel and desperately fires two flares. Miraculously, they alter course and rush to rescue her. After recovering from her injury, Tami returns to Tahiti, where she visits the Mayaluga and is engulfed by bittersweet memories upon seeing a wall of photos of their time together. In a poignant farewell, she places her engagement ring from Richard around a frangipani flower and releases it into the water.

The film concludes with the touching revelation that Richard Sharp was indeed lost at sea, while Tami Oldham braved the unforgiving ocean for a grueling 41 days all on her own, and she has continued to sail ever since.