Crimson Tide (1995) Review – A Tense, Timely Submarine Thriller That Still Surfaces After 30 Years
Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman face off in Tony Scott’s Crimson Tide, a tense 1995 submarine thriller that remains relevant 30 years later. Here’s why this military classic still hits hard.
Crimson Tide (1995)
Directed by: Tony Scott
Written by: Michael Schiffer, Richard P. Henrick
Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen
Release Date: May 12, 1995
Review Published: May 12, 2025
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Crimson Tide stars Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman as ideological opposites thrust into high-stakes conflict aboard a U.S. nuclear submarine. Washington plays Executive Officer Hunter, newly assigned to the Alabama-class sub, helmed by the commanding and volatile Captain Ramsey (Hackman). From the moment Hunter boards, friction is inevitable. Ramsey is used to throwing his weight around; Hunter is not so easily moved.
The dichotomy between Hunter and Ramsey couldn’t be more stark. While both are Navy officers, their approaches to leadership—and life—differ dramatically. Hunter is younger, Black, and more methodical, representing a newer generation of leadership. Ramsey, an old-school military man, clearly remembers a time when officers like Hunter weren’t even allowed on submarines, much less commanding them. Racial tension is never named outright, but it hums beneath the surface.
Beyond race, their philosophical divide defines the movie: Ramsey trusts his gut and charges ahead, while Hunter is calm, deliberate, and committed to following orders and verifying facts before taking drastic action. So when a rogue Russian nationalist gains access to Russia’s nuclear arsenal and communications with U.S. command are compromised, the stage is set for a deadly standoff. Ramsey believes they have orders to launch. Hunter insists they wait for confirmation. The world hangs in the balance.
What follows is a nail-biting, claustrophobic showdown of wills. With the sub’s communication array damaged, a vital second message is cut off. Did it confirm the launch order—or revoke it? Ramsey wants to move forward with a preemptive strike. Hunter wants to wait and verify. In the tight quarters of a nuclear sub, where the wrong call means global annihilation, the ideological divide becomes mutiny.
Hunter’s defiance sparks an onboard power struggle, as senior officers loyal to Ramsey refuse to stand down. The tension is heightened by a terrific supporting cast including Matt Craven, George Dzundza, James Gandolfini, Rocky Carroll, and Viggo Mortensen. Mortensen’s character—torn between loyalty to his captain and friendship with Hunter—plays a pivotal role. The conflict builds to a pulse-pounding climax, interrupted only briefly (and brilliantly) by a discussion about Lipizzaner stallions—one of the film’s most memorable scenes.
I really admire Crimson Tide. Tony Scott’s sleek, kinetic direction elevates a complex narrative into a taut, mainstream thriller. The film leans on archetypes—Hackman as the blustering, conservative “father figure” and Washington as the rational, principled “son”—but wisely avoids overt politics. That doesn’t mean the subtext isn’t there for those willing to look. Ramsey operates on instinct, dismissing contradictory data as irrelevant. Hunter insists on evidence, on process, on due diligence.
Ramsey’s belief in the virtue of action—regardless of consequence—is portrayed as dangerously ego-driven. His need to be right, to not be questioned by a junior officer, underscores his willingness to risk everything. Hunter, in contrast, explains that even if they don’t fire, another sub will. Redundancy is built into the system for a reason. There’s no reason to launch without confirmation—unless pride is the only factor at play.
The performances from both leads are incredible. Hackman brings theatrical bravado and gravitas to Ramsey, making him both formidable and deeply flawed. Washington counters with quiet authority, intelligence, and moral clarity. It’s a battle of egos and ideologies, and neither actor misses a beat.
All the while, Crimson Tide never forgets to entertain. The submarine battles are intense and visually engaging. The cinematography is slick and vibrant—rare for a film set largely in steel corridors. Scott uses jarring angles and sharp editing to emphasize the chaos and pressure of the underwater environment. It’s pure popcorn with brains.
Is Crimson Tide perfect? Not quite. The script is occasionally uneven. Officially credited to Michael Schiffer and Richard P. Henrick, the film also reportedly received uncredited dialogue polish from Quentin Tarantino and Robert Towne. You can tell. Tarantino’s fingerprints are all over a few awkward scenes involving comic book trivia, Star Trek, and Jack Kirby. These moments break the film’s otherwise serious tone and feel like they were pasted in from another movie.
Towne’s influence is more elegant, most notably in the aforementioned Lipizzaner horse scene. Ramsey praises the white stallions; Hunter calmly notes that they’re born black. It’s not subtle, but it is effective—and watching Hackman and Washington trade barbed metaphors in close quarters is a masterclass in acting. The tension is palpable, the meaning unmistakable.
Crimson Tide was released 30 years ago today, and its themes feel more relevant than ever. This review coincides with the latest episode of the I Hate Critics 1995 podcast, where Amy and I discuss her first viewing of this testosterone-fueled, idea-driven blockbuster. You can find that episode—and all our others—on the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts.
About the Creator
Sean Patrick
Hello, my name is Sean Patrick He/Him, and I am a film critic and podcast host for the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast I am a voting member of the Critics Choice Association, the group behind the annual Critics Choice Awards.
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