The Impossible

2012

The Impossible

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.

82%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 196

84%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 49,092
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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.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for intense realistic disaster sequences, including disturbing injury images and brief nudity)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Drama
  • Directed By:
    J.A. Bayona
  • Written By:
    Sergio G. Sánchez
  • In Theaters:
     limited
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $18,996,755
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Lionsgate Films

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Cast

Ewan McGregor
as Henry
Naomi Watts
as Maria
Tom Holland (II)
as Lucas
Geraldine Chaplin
as Elderly Woman
Samuel Joslin
as Thomas
Oaklee Pendergast
as Simon
Tom Hollander
Marta Etura
as Simone
Sönke Möhring
as Karl
Ploy Jindachot
as Caregiver
Ploy Jindachote
as Caregiver
Jomjai Sae-limh "Maew"
as Red Cross Nurse
Johan Sundberg
as Daniel
Jan Sundberg
as Daniel's Father
La-Orng Thongruang
as Old Thai Man
Tor Klathaley
as Young Thai Man
Douglas Johansson
as Mr. Benstrom
Emilio Riccardi
as Morten Benstrom
Vorarat Jutakeo
as Doctor in Stockroom
Karun Konsaman
as Young Nurse in Stockroom
Nicola Harrison
as Woman in Charge of Simon and Thomas
John Albasiny
as Oliver Tudpole
Gitte Witt
as Norwegian Patient
Bruce Blain
as American Tourist
Cecilia Arnold
as American Tourist's Wife
Peter Tuinstra
as American Tourist on Orchid Roof
Esther Davis
as Volunteer in Children's Tent
Dominic Power
as Tourist Near the Orchid
Sarinrat Thomas "Jia"
as Operating Nurse
Keerati Sivakuae "Oak"
as Orchid Male Employee
Vipavee Charoenpura
as Woman in Childen's Minibus
Laura Power
as Young Nurse in Airplane
Kovit Wattanakul
as Henry's Pick-up Driver
Zoe Popham
as Tourist in Henry's Pick-up
Danny Toeng Danny
as Tourist in Henry's Pick-up
Ronnie Eide
as Tourist in Henry's Pick-up
Bonnie Jo Hutchinson
as Tourist at Bus Station
Jean-Loup Pilblad
as Loup Pilblad-Tourist at Bus Station
Franky Gun
as Tourist at Bus Station
Giovani Agresti
as Tourist Looking for Francesca
Georgina Baert
as Woman Looking for Relative
David Bruce
as Man Looking for Relatives
Natalia Lorence
as Woman Looking for Relatives
Sverre Golten
as Man Looking for Relatives
Clare Louise Plunkett
as Woman Looking for Relatives
Raphael Dewaerseghers
as Naked Man
Pisamai Pakdeevijit
as Member of Thai Family in Stockroom
Aratchaporn Satead
as Member of Thai Family in Stockroom
Jakapong Srichaem
as Member of Thai Family in Stockroom
Simon Blyberg
as Ferdinand
Christopher Byrd
as Dieter
Namfon Pakdee
as Orchid Female Employee
Georgina Winters
as Patient in Takua Pa Hospital
Dina Kiseleva
as Patient in Takua Pa Hospital
Tan Daniel Demir
as Patient in Takua Pa Hospital
Krittanai Yongtrakull "Beer"
as Emergency Nurse
Takashi Hasegawa
as Japanese Tourist
Kristen Mandel
as Redheaded Woman
Sam Holland
as Kid in the Tent
Harry Holland
as Kid in the Tent
Mara Garcia Garcia
as Kid in the Car
John Fernando Velazquez
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Critic Reviews for The Impossible

All Critics (196) | Top Critics (49)

View All Critic Reviews (196)

Audience Reviews for The Impossible

  • Jul 26, 2015
    With wonderful acting, "The Impossible" tells a captivating true story in which survival impulses, society, family ties and human kindness all shine and inspire. This is a very well done film.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 29, 2015
    Amazing story of how family can overcome even the most impossible of situations. It's even more amazing that this was a true story.
    Erin C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 19, 2014
    Straightforward real-life account of a family of five torn apart by the devastating tsunami that struck Thailand in 2004 and their efforts to find each other amidst the carnage and chaos of the aftermath. Ewan McGregor makes us feel his desperation as the father while Naomi Watts is a reality anchor in a bravely unflattering exhibition. Visually & emotionally raw, this is all about putting the viewer in the midst of a convincing catastrophe with only the following metaphorical conversation breaking from the gritty realism to explain the film's title. <i>"Some of those stars have burned out a long, long time ago. Did you know that?" "They're dead, aren't they?" "They're dead. But, they were once so bright that their light is still traveling through space and we can still see them." "How can you tell which ones are dead and which ones are not?" "Oh, you can't. It's impossible. It's a beautiful mystery, isn't it?"</i>
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 25, 2013
    I was perhaps not very emotionally attached to the characters in this one, but it is undeniable that the performances are brilliant all around.
    Wildaly M Super Reviewer
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