Not Without Hope is a harrowing survival thriller directed by Joe Carnahan and co-written by Carnahan and E. Nicholas Mariani, based on the 2010 nonfiction book of the same name by Nick Schuyler and Jeré Longman, which recounts the true story of a tragic boating accident that occurred in February 2009.
Carnahan, known for his gritty, emotionally charged storytelling in films like The Grey and Narc, brings a visceral intensity to this adaptation, which stars Zachary Levi as Nick Schuyler—the sole survivor of the disaster.
The survival thriller Not Without Hope dramatises the true story of Nick Schuyler and three friends whose fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico turned tragic when their boat capsized in a violent storm. Stranded at sea for 43 hours, only Schuyler survived, clinging to the overturned vessel until rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Directed by Joe Carnahan, with Zachary Levi, Josh Duhamel, Quentin Plair, Terrence Terrell, Marshall Cook, JoBeth Williams and NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith.
The cast also includes Josh Duhamel, JoBeth Williams, Quentin Plair, Terrence Terrell, and Marshall Cook, portraying the close-knit group of friends whose fishing trip turned into a nightmare. Filmed entirely in Malta, the production wrapped in mid-2023, just before the SAG-AFTRA strike, and is slated for release in 2025.
Inspiration & Significance
The inspiration for Not Without Hope lies in the real-life ordeal faced by Schuyler and his three companions—NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, and former college football player Will Bleakley. The group set out from Clearwater, Florida, for a routine fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico, only to be caught in a violent storm that caused their boat to capsize. With the anchor stuck and the vessel overturned, the men were thrown into frigid waters, clinging to the hull for survival. Despite a massive search effort by the U.S. Coast Guard, only Schuyler was rescued after 43 hours at sea. The film dramatises this terrifying experience, focusing not only on the physical struggle but also the emotional toll of loss, guilt, and endurance. Carnahan has described the project as deeply personal and emotionally resonant, aiming to honour the lives lost while capturing the raw truth of survival.
The significance of Not Without Hope extends beyond its survival narrative. At its core, the film is a meditation on friendship, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure unimaginable trauma. By adapting Schuyler’s memoir, Carnahan offers a cinematic tribute to the fallen athletes and their families, while also exploring the psychological aftermath of being the lone survivor. The film’s title itself—Not Without Hope—serves as both a declaration and a contradiction, reflecting the fragile balance between despair and determination. In a cultural moment where true stories of endurance resonate deeply, the film stands as a reminder of how quickly life can change, and how survival often comes at a profound emotional cost.
Moreover, the film contributes to the growing genre of survival cinema that blends physical peril with emotional introspection. Carnahan’s direction promises a blend of suspense and sensitivity, avoiding sensationalism in favor of authenticity.
Zachary Levi’s portrayal of Schuyler is expected to be a career-defining performance, anchoring the film with vulnerability and strength. Not Without Hope is not just a recounting of tragedy—it’s a cinematic reckoning with fate, friendship, and the haunting question of why some survive while others do not. Through its stark realism and emotional depth, the film invites audiences to confront the limits of endurance and the enduring power of memory.
Joe Carnahan is an American filmmaker known for his gritty, high-octane storytelling and emotionally charged thrillers. Born on May 9, 1969, in Michigan, Carnahan was raised in Northern California and studied film at California State University, Sacramento. He began his career producing short films and television spots for KMAX-TV before breaking into the indie scene with Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane (1998), a cult hit that premiered at Sundance. He gained wider recognition with Narc (2002), a neo-noir crime drama praised for its raw intensity. Carnahan’s filmography includes Smokin’ Aces, The A-Team, The Grey, and Boss Level, all marked by his signature blend of visceral action and psychological depth. He’s also worked in television, directing and producing episodes of The Blacklist and State of Affairs. Known for his kinetic style and philosophical undercurrents, Carnahan continues to explore themes of survival, masculinity, and moral ambiguity in his work. In 2025, he directed Not Without Hope, a survival thriller based on a true story, further cementing his reputation as a filmmaker drawn to stories of endurance and emotional reckoning.
E. Nicholas Mariani is a screenwriter and former board member of the Writers Guild of America West, recognised for his thoughtful, character-driven narratives. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mariani has contributed to several film and television projects, including The Defender and War Magician. His work often explores themes of resilience, identity, and moral complexity. Mariani co-wrote Not Without Hope with Joe Carnahan, adapting Nick Schuyler’s memoir into a tense, emotionally resonant screenplay. His involvement in the Writers Guild reflects a commitment to the craft and ethics of storytelling, and his screenwriting is marked by a balance of dramatic intensity and psychological nuance.
Nick Schuyler is an American author, motivational speaker, and former college football player whose life was forever changed by a tragic boating accident in 2009. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Schuyler was the sole survivor of a capsized vessel that claimed the lives of his best friend Will Bleakley and NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith. After enduring 43 hours in the Gulf of Mexico, clinging to the boat’s motor in freezing waters, Schuyler was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. His memoir, Not Without Hope, co-authored with Jeré Longman, became a New York Times bestseller and a testament to resilience, friendship, and survival. Today, Schuyler owns Sky Athletix gym in Lutz, Florida, and continues to inspire others through public speaking and charitable work. His story has been adapted into both a documentary and a feature film, reflecting his commitment to honoring the lives of his lost friends and sharing the emotional truth of his experience.
Jeré Longman is a veteran journalist and author, best known for his decades-long career at The New York Times, where he covered international sports, including 15 Olympic Games and numerous World Cups. Born in Louisiana, Longman developed a passion for global storytelling early on, which he channeled into reporting from nearly 60 countries. Before joining The Times in 1993, he worked at newspapers in Philadelphia, Dallas, and Jackson, Mississippi. He has authored six books, including Among the Heroes, a critically acclaimed account of United Flight 93. In 2025, Longman transitioned to the Obituaries desk at The Times, bringing his narrative sensitivity to stories of lives lived. His collaboration with Nick Schuyler on Not Without Hope reflects his ability to blend journalistic rigor with emotional depth, capturing both the tragedy and the triumph of human endurance.
