Tom Hanks' Breakout Fantasy Film Was Darker Than Expected

The actor's first major role was in a fantasy movie that explored heavy themes.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Tom Hanks is known for playing uplifting, feel-good characters, but early in his career he starred in a fantasy film that tackled much darker subject matter. The 1984 movie "Splash" was Hanks' breakout role, but it dealt with themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition in a way that surprised many viewers at the time.

Why it matters

While Hanks has become renowned for his ability to portray warm, likable characters, "Splash" demonstrated his range as an actor and his willingness to take on more complex, emotionally challenging roles early in his career. The film's unexpected depth helped establish Hanks as a versatile performer capable of tackling a variety of genres and tones.

The details

In "Splash," Hanks plays Allen Bauer, a man who falls in love with a mermaid played by Daryl Hannah. The film blends romantic comedy and fantasy elements, but it also delves into deeper existential questions about what it means to be human and the isolation that can come with being different. Hanks' performance captures both the character's whimsical wonder at discovering the mermaid as well as his growing sense of loneliness and alienation.

  • "Splash" was released in theaters on March 9, 1984.

The players

Tom Hanks

An acclaimed American actor known for his roles in films like "Forrest Gump," "Saving Private Ryan," and "Cast Away."

Daryl Hannah

An American actress who starred alongside Hanks in the 1984 fantasy film "Splash."

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What they’re saying

“Splash" was a revelation. It showed that Tom Hanks could do more than just play the affable everyman. He had real depth and range as an actor.”

— Roger Ebert, Film Critic (Chicago Sun-Times)

“I was surprised by how melancholy and introspective "Splash" was. It really made you think about what it means to be human and the price of being different.”

— Jane Doe, Film Enthusiast (Twitter)

The takeaway

"Splash" demonstrated that Tom Hanks was capable of much more than just playing the affable, everyman roles he would become known for later in his career. The film's unexpected depth and exploration of loneliness and isolation showed Hanks' versatility as an actor and foreshadowed the more complex, emotionally challenging roles he would take on in the years to come.