The film currently holds an impressive 95% audience score and an 89% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film stars Mark Ruffalo as real-life lawyer Rob Bilott (Image: BBC)There are some films that viewers say stay with them long after the end. And one gripping legal drama in particular has been praised for its story, acting and, most importantly, the message. Many people who watched it say the film is not only entertaining but also incredibly informative.

It tells the story of a lawyer who takes on a huge corporation after discovering evidence of widespread environmental pollution. It also currently holds an impressive 95% audience score and an 89% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ruffalo’s character takes on chemical giant DuPont (Image: BBC)

That film is Dark Waters, a 2019 legal thriller that has been hailed by viewers as one of the best.

Directed by Todd Haynes, the film stars Mark Ruffalo as real-life lawyer Rob Bilott, who takes on chemical giant DuPont after discovering the company had contaminated a town with dangerous chemicals.

The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Bilott’s wife Sarah, alongside Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper and Bill Pullman.

Dark Waters is based on the 2016 New York Times Magazine article The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare by Nathaniel Rich.

The story follows Bilott’s years-long legal battle after uncovering evidence that unregulated chemicals were polluting drinking water and affecting local communities.

Anne Hathaway in Dark Waters (Image: BBC)

The film received positive reviews from critics when it was released in 2019 and went on to gross about $23million at the box office.

However, many viewers believe it deserved even more recognition, with some saying it was overlooked during awards season.

Many people felt the film was snubbed by the 92nd Academy Awards and 77th Golden Globe Awards, as it did not receive any nominations at either ceremony.

Despite that, many viewers agree that the film is a masterpiece.

One person said in a review on IMDb: “Exceptional. I’m not sure how someone could watch this movie and not be intensely moved by it.

“I was on the edge of my seat. Incredible acting! Easily one of the most informative and best movies I’ve seen in a long time.”

Another added: “Best thriller of all time. That’s all there is to say. This is how entertainment should be: engaging, entertaining and telling an important story in a time of civic society uprising against corporate corruption.”

A third wrote: “The film is unmissable and it’s a masterpiece. It’s a movie you must absolutely watch.”

Someone else commented: “This is a movie that had to be made and has to be watched by everyone. This is arguably one of the most important if not the most important movie that Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway have made. I hope over time this gets the credit it deserves.”

Dark Waters is available to stream free of charge on BBC iPlayer with a valid TV licence.