‘Not Without Hope’: Real Rescue Story Respectfully Rendered

“Not Without Hope” is a respectful interpretation of real-life survival. Not for entertainment, it’s a good parental opportunity to teach life lessons to teens.
‘Not Without Hope’: Real Rescue Story Respectfully Rendered
Nick Schuyler (Zachary Levi), and Marquis Cooper (Quentin Plair), in "Not Without Hope." Inaugural Entertainment
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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R | 2h 1m | Survival Thriller | 2025

The survival-at-sea genre is well-anchored in movie lore, ranging from blockbusters like “The Poseidon Adventure,” (1972), “Titanic,” (1997) and “The Perfect Storm” (2000) to smaller thrillers like “Open Water” (2004). Literally hundreds exist covering shipwrecks, storms, shark attacks, and survival scenarios. There are, after all, only three types of human stories: man against man, man against nature, and man against himself.

Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.