The Impossible

PG-13

Released Dec 21, 2012

1 hr. 54 min.

Drama

Adventure

List

82%

205 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In December 2004, close-knit family Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand. But the day after Christmas, the idyllic holiday turns into an incomprehensible nightmare when a terrifying roar rises from the depths of the sea, followed by a wall of black water that devours everything in its path. Though Maria and her family face their darkest hour, unexpected displays of kindness and courage ameliorate their terror.

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Critics Consensus

The screenplay isn't quite as powerful as the direction or the acting, but with such an astonishing real-life story at its center, The Impossible is never less than compelling.

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Jack F

29:51 I didnt watch the movie but how the fuck were they in that tree

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Yasmin H

devastating raw performance. felt well informed about natural disasters great cast also

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

Larry K

The tsunami scene was epic. Everybody played a great part in this

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Ri

This movie was incredibly filmed and looked as if you were there experiencing this natural disaster! This movie is something I will watch over and over again and not get tired of it! I would recommend this to people who want to watch true stories! Again, so good! Incredible!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Beba F

I thought this movie was horrific!! It showed all the cuts and scrapes, also all the dead people were coloured!! It was so disturbing. I had trouble getting it out my head for days!! I had awful dreams about it as well, if you want to be scared watch this!!! Also it's a 12+ I cannot believe they put that rating on their!! I watched 12+ when I was 9, I would have been permanently traumatised if I had watched it at that age!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/24

Full Review

Tyler S

The acting in this one was pretty good overall. Did not know this was based on a true story so this did capture my attention. Honestly felt pretty slow for the most part but it was still an overall good film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

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J. A. Bayona

Director

Naomi Watts

Maria

Ewan McGregor

Henry

Tom Holland

Lucas

Samuel Joslin

Thomas

Oaklee Pendergast

Simon

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

[The Impossible] shows us devastation, yes, unbelievable havoc, yes, horrific human loss, yes. But also, exemplary courage and love and compassion, all done with freshness and feeling.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 21, 2019

Full Review

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

A heart-wrenchingly tense survival drama based on 'an incredible true story' of a far more 'homely' looking Spanish family, this is a cut above 1990s eco-disaster movies such as Dante's Peak.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

David Denby

New Yorker

Alas, the movie tells a rather commonplace story.

Jan 28, 2013

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

... A moving, shocking, and visceral film. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 10/10

Jan 2, 2024

Full Review

Anushka Halve

Film Companion

This isn't a narrative of a larger-than-life hero swooping in to save the day; rather, it's a testament to the combined efforts of ordinary individuals, bound by humanity, who become heroes in the crucible of disaster.

Dec 11, 2023

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

What one single movie can do is give at least one true story profound respect and realism. Most importantly, what the beauty of any movie can do is remind us all of the hope and survival that rises from the depths of tragedy and loss.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

In December 2004, close-knit family Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand. But the day after Christmas, the idyllic holiday turns into an incomprehensible nightmare when a terrifying roar rises from the depths of the sea, followed by a wall of black water that devours everything in its path. Though Maria and her family face their darkest hour, unexpected displays of kindness and courage ameliorate their terror.

Director: J. A. Bayona
Executive Producer: Sandra Hermida, Javier Ugarte
Screenwriter: Sergio G. Sánchez
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA), Mediaset España, Institut Valencià de Cinematografia, Telecinco Cinema, VS Service, Apaches Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, Canal+ España
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Injury Images|Brief Nudity|Intense Realistic Disaster Seq)
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.0M

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