FilmMark RuffaloA tense legal drama starring Avengers' Mark Ruffalo and The Devil Wears Prada's Anne Hathaway has landed on BBC iPlayer17:41, 29 May 2026Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo stars in Dark Waters, which is airing on the BBC this week.‌Released in 2019 and directed by Todd Haynes, the film is based on the real-life story of lawyer Robert Bilott, whose investigation into a major corporation reveals a deeply unsettling cover-up with life-changing consequences.‌Written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan, the film draws inspiration from Nathaniel Rich’s 2016 New York Times Magazine article, The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare.‌With Mark Ruffalo leading the cast, the film already has plenty going for it, but it’s made even stronger by performances from Anne Hathaway and Victor Garber. Fans of gripping true-life dramas and whistleblower stories such as Spotlight, The Post and Dirty Business are likely to find Dark Waters very compelling.The film focuses on the true story of a determined lawyer who discovers a hidden scandal linking a series of mysterious deaths to a powerful global corporation.‌The synopsis for the film reads as follows: "Corporate environmental defence attorney Rob Bilott has just made partner at his prestigious Cincinnati law firm, in large part due to his work defending Big Chem companies."He finds himself conflicted after he's contacted by two West Virginia farmers who believe that the local DuPont plant is dumping toxic waste in the area landfill that is destroying their fields and killing their cattle.‌"Hoping to learn the truth about just what is happening, Bilott, with help from his supervising partner in the firm, Tom Terp, files a complaint that marks the beginning of an epic 15-year fight – one that will not only test his relationship with his wife, Sarah but also his reputation, his health and his livelihood."When the film was first released, movie lovers labelled it "spectacular". Another said : "Excellent story. Very well acted. Mark Ruffalo deserves an Oscar."Article continues belowSpeaking on The View in 2019, Mark Ruffalo opened up about the shocking reality behind the true events that inspired the film.He said: "It's probably one of the greatest cover-ups in American history, and it affects everyone in the world now, and nobody knows about it."Dark Waters is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Anne HathawayMark RuffaloTodd HaynesBBC