The Impossible
The Impossible Image
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Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 173 Ratings

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Joe Williams
    Jan 3, 2013
    100
    Perilous incidents have riveted audiences since Pauline was tied to the railroad tracks, but in the hundred-year history of cinema, few thrillers have been as emotionally compelling as The Impossible.
  2. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Jan 4, 2013
    80
    This is an affecting and emotional drama about the strength of the human spirit.
  3. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Mark Keizer
    Dec 13, 2012
    60
    The key selling point is Bayona's ten-minute reenactment of the tidal wave and its carnage, which is brutal, visceral and without peer. His visual mastery is almost enough to make up for The Impossible's conventional final hour and the empty feeling of trying to find the point of this whole exercise.
  4. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Kevin Jagernauth
    Dec 23, 2012
    33
    The Impossible strikes an insincere tone, one that doesn't let the obviously powerful moments stand on their own, but instead follows the beautiful Hollywood stars to safety, while the real story is left on the ground.

See all 42 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 56
  3. Negative: 2 out of 56
  1. TECfilms
    9
    As a drama film far better than Avatar & Co., mostly due to three reasons: The whole film is based on a true story and, of course, an actual event, which makes it so threedimensional. Secondly, there are amazing actors, especially an astonishing Tom Holland, who will surely get a row of offers after his critcally performance. And thirdly the amazing story and enactment of the fatal 26. December 2004, which is geniusly directedand well written. If you watch it, bring enough tissue with you!!!… Expand
  2. Mabel8103
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. No suelo ver películas que puedan estimular el fenómeno secreto-motor complejo que es caracterizado por derramar liquido del aparato lagrimal, evito al máximo la punzada en el pecho y verme ante la labor de mirar para otras partes intentando buscar fuerzas que me alejen de la escena que me acongoja, sin embargo … Expand
  3. netflic
    6
    The movie, in my opinion, is a mixed bag. Some of the scenes are done perfectly yet others are so cheesy that I cringed when I was watching it.
    The phrase "like in a bad Hollywood movie" was coming to mind. The script could definitely be better. Cinematography is impeccable. Kids are not always acting believably. Overall, the movie is good but definitely not great.    … Expand
  4. brocklandhers
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What am I missing here? This is one of the worst movies I've seen recently.
    The 5-10 minute tidal wave reenactment while spectacularly filmed, can't make up for the hollowness of the remainder of the story. There is barely any character development. But the most frustrating thing is that the viewer already knows the eventual outcome of this whole pointless exercise... that all the family members are still alive and in safe hands, and that they simply need to find one another amongst the chaos of survivors/aid workers. In the real world, one knows that eventually all will be reunited (at the very latest), through a phone line and next-of-kin contact.    … Expand

See all 56 User Reviews

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