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The Impossible Play Trailer

The Impossible (2012)

tomatometer

81

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Reviews Counted: 178
Fresh: 145 | Rotten: 33

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.

72

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Critic Reviews: 43
Fresh: 31 | Rotten: 12

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.

audience

85

liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 29,651

My Rating

Movie Info

Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her.

PG-13,

Drama, Action & Adventure

Sergio G. Sánchez

Apr 23, 2013

$19.0M

Lionsgate Films - Official Site External Icon

Cast

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All Critics (178) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (147) | Rotten (33) | DVD (2)

Alas, the movie tells a rather commonplace story.

January 28, 2013 Full Review Source: New Yorker
New Yorker
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The tsunami sequence is amazing, right up there with the one Clint Eastwood staged in Hereafter.

January 18, 2013 Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor
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This is an unforgettable tribute to the determination of a very special family.

January 17, 2013 Full Review Source: Richard Roeper.com
Richard Roeper.com
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Naomi Watts gives one of her finest, most physically commanding turns.

January 4, 2013 Full Review Source: Denver Post
Denver Post
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Although it's ostensibly based on true events, The Impossible is not so much an inspiring tale of survival as it is an action flick.

January 4, 2013 Full Review Source: New York Magazine
New York Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

While it may have been changed for the screen, this story of a family's ordeal is one from which any parent - any person, really - can't turn away.

January 4, 2013 Full Review Source: Miami Herald
Miami Herald
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Juan Antonio Bayona's The Impossible is an emotional tale of hope and survival, shot with an unafraid eye for disaster and tragedy.

May 7, 2013 Full Review Source: We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered

A disaster flick chronicling a dream, exotic getaway that turned into a never-ending nightmare in the blink of an eye!

April 28, 2013 Full Review Source: NewsBlaze
NewsBlaze

... a terrific horror movie, one that genuinely grips and shocks its audience and forces empathy with the would-be victims.

April 27, 2013 Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

This may well be the best awards bait movie from 2012 that you never got around to seeing.

April 23, 2013 Full Review Source: COEDMagazine.com
COEDMagazine.com

Inexcusable is a better word to describe the fact this amazing film was not given a Best Picture Oscar nomination.

April 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

A tale that largely tells itself... with a little essential help from Hollywood's best special effects guys, that is.

April 17, 2013 Full Review Source: Film Racket
Film Racket

...come for the drama, just be ready to leave your nagging questions outside the theater.

March 18, 2013 Full Review Source: Movies.com
Movies.com

Technically impeccable, The Impossible gives the brutal caprice of nature its due, never romanticizing it or demonizing it.

March 13, 2013 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com
eFilmCritic.com

The true stand-out performance comes from 16-year-old Holland, whose cinematic debut is nothing short of extraordinary.

March 2, 2013 Full Review Source: Tulsa World
Tulsa World

The aim appears to be audience immersion, as if The Impossible really wants to almost drown you along with its stars - albeit in your own tears.

February 21, 2013 Full Review Source: The Standard

There's nothing much to this fact-based film, storywise...It's in the sheer resilience of the characters that the film finds its drive.

February 15, 2013 Full Review Source: 3AW

Perhaps the biggest problem is its labelling as a 'Disaster Movie', as this is in fact intended as a study of the power - and the stubbornness - of the human spirit.

February 4, 2013 Full Review Source: Rip It Up

The Impossible doesn't turn a blind eye to the physical and emotional devastation, but the comparatively uncomplicated path it follows to arrive at a reassuring conclusion minimizes the impact.

February 4, 2013 Full Review Source: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

If you're familiar with the true story on which 'The Impossible' is based, you'll know a little about the finale. In case you don't, I'm not going to spoil this real-life disaster movie about the effects of the 2004 Pacific tsunami on a family of five.

February 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Unlike a lot of movies that have the "based on a true story" tagline, 'The Impossible' doesn't have to do much to remind us that its harrowing tale is genuine

February 2, 2013 Full Review Source: KC Active
KC Active

Director Juan Antonio Bayona spins the focus in on a single family caught up in the disaster, personalising the horror and bringing it home in unashamedly melodramatic fashion on its very own tidal wave of emotion.

February 2, 2013 Full Review Source: Eye for Film
Eye for Film

There's some cringe-worthy stuff in this... and I say that to the film's credit. It's tough to watch at times.

January 24, 2013 Full Review Source: ABC Radio Brisbane
ABC Radio Brisbane

The Impossible reminds that no matter the odds, human kind has the potential to rise above adversity no matter how great, for the human spirit knows no bounds.

January 24, 2013 Full Review Source: Matt's Movie Reviews
Matt's Movie Reviews

South East Asian tsunami survival saga is a test of endurance

January 22, 2013 Full Review Source: sbs.com.au
sbs.com.au

Audience Reviews for The Impossible

Overwhelming, and emotional, but definitely worth it. Generally when I've heard talk of this movie, it's praise for Ewan and Naomi (who are absolutely sensational), but I think more emphasis should be put on the younger members of the cast...those boys completely, and utterly, stole the entire movie. Sooo good, and a miracle if ever I saw one...
January 23, 2013
itsjustme2004

Super Reviewer

Sure, it has its flaws, but in the end, it is a great film. The Impossible is intense and powerful, and brought me to the verge of tears. The acting is generally good---excellent, in fact, from the leads--the pacing is perfect, and the length of the film is appropriate. Bravo!
May 4, 2013
Matthew Samuel Mirliani

Super Reviewer

    1. Maria: We have to help that little boy. Even if it's the last thing that we could do.
    – Submitted by Glyncel Joy A (48 days ago)
    1. Maria: : Lucas, look at this place. They're so busy in here. You get to go and do something. Go help people. You're good at it.
    – Submitted by Lucas M (2 months ago)
    1. Maria: Am I dead?
    – Submitted by Erick T (3 months ago)
    1. Maria: Close your eyes, think of something nice.
    – Submitted by Teong Kai L (4 months ago)
    1. Lucas: Mum, I found Daniele, he was happy.
    – Submitted by Adam M (4 months ago)
    1. Henry: [reading note] We are at the beach...
    – Submitted by Sarah L (4 months ago)

Discussion Forum

Topic Last Post Replies
Seriously, no one sees the racism in this? 2 days ago 48
Quite possibly the most graphic PG-13 movie I've ever seen 9 days ago 3
Not seen it and wont. People died on that day - sick 11 days ago 19
So basically... 32 days ago 27
any negative comments? 2 months ago 5

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Foreign Titles

  • Lo imposible (ES)
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