“Deepwater Horizon” is one of 2016’s best films.

It’s a nail-biter: a tension-filled action film based on true events about the 2010 explosion and fire on Deepwater Horizon, a semi-submersible offshore drilling rig in which 11 died (of 126 crew), resulting in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico said to be the largest oil spill in United States’ history.

The movie, directed with consummate skill by Peter Berg (“Lone Survivor,” 2013; “Friday Night Lights,” 2004) is one-part horror film (for its claustrophobic corridors, not unlike, for example, “Last House on the Left,” 1972, with the oil as “the monster”), one-part disaster film (for its ocean-setting, as with, for example, “The Poseidon Adventure,” 1972) and one-part heroic epitaph (for its many acts of courage, similar in this way to “United 93,” 2006).

“Deepwater Horizon” deserves several Oscar nominations: director (Berg); adapted screenplay (Matthew Sand, “Ninja Assassin,” 2009, and Matthew Michael Carnahan, “World War Z,” 2013; “Lions for Lambs,” 2007; “The Kingdom,” 2007, from a New York Times article, “Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hours,” by David Barstow, David S. Rohde and Stephanie Saul; supporting actor (John Malkovich as a haughty BP executive; and Kurt Russell, as the oil rig manager who stays with his “ship”), and technical categories (cinematography, editing, score, sound design).

Mark Wahlberg is excellent as real-life oil rig employee, Mike Williams, who risks his life to attempt to save others. Kate Hudson has a nice turn as Williams’ wife. Their interplay represents family values and gives a heart to the story. Gina Rodriguez is memorable as an oil rig employee who is on top of the situation.

The movie immerses you in the situation of those trapped on board the exploding and burning rig. Director Berg puts you at the center of the conflagration. The visuals are tremendous. Shots of the drilling pipe, scenes on the oil rig (filming took place on a replica built in Louisiana) and an efficient mix of dialogue, actors’ reactions, and the rig’s monitoring gauge devices going awry create heart-pounding action.

“Deepwater Horizon” is overall a human story. After the majority of the crew is rescued, they are shown saying “The Lord’s Prayer.” They are simply glad to be alive.

“Deepwater Horizon,”MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for prolonged intense disaster sequences and related disturbing images, and brief strong language; Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller; Run time: 1 hr., 47 mins.; Distributed by Summit Entertainment.

Credit Readers:Photographs of the actual people and video footage of testimony about Deepwater Horizon is shown during the “Deepwater Horizon” closing credits.

Box Office,Sept. 30: Director Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” based on the popular novel, opened at No. 1 with $28.5 million, one week, keeping “Deepwater Horizon” floating to No. 2, opening with $20.6 million, and sending “The Magnificent Seven” to No. 3 after one week at No. 1, with $15.7 million, $61.6 million, two weeks;

4. “Storks,” $13.8 million, $38.8 million, two weeks; 5. “Sully,” $8.4 million, $105.3 million, four weeks; 6. “Masterminds,” $6.6 million, opening; 7. “Queen of Katwe,” $2.6 million, $3 million, two weeks; 8. “Don’t Breathe,” $2.3 million, $84.7 million, six weeks; 9. “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” $2.3 million, $20.9 million, three weeks; 10. “Snowden,” $2 million, $18.7 million, three weeks.

Unreel,Oct. 7:

“The Birth of a Nation,”R: Nate Parker directs himself, Armie Hammer, Mark Boone Junior and Colman Domingo in the biography drama about the real-life Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South who started a rebellion.

“The Girl on the Train,”R: Tate Taylor directs Haley Bennett, Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson and Luke Evans in the mystery thriller about a divorcee in a missing person investigation.

“Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life,”PG: Steve Carr directs Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Thomas Barbusca and Griffin Gluck in a comedy about student life in middle school.

Four Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes