The Impossible

Name: The Impossible
Genre: Action, Drama, History, Thriller
Released: December 21, 2012
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Oaklee Pendergast, Tom Holland

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 374 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 374 Ratings

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The Impossible

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Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: December 21, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Oaklee Pendergast, Tom Holland

Summary: An account of a family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time.

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Genre(s): Action, Drama, History, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 114 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Joe Williams

Jan 3, 2013

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. Read full review

Marc Mohan

Jan 3, 2013

An extraordinarily gut-wrenching, intense story of survival against all odds. Read full review

Steven Rea

Dec 20, 2012

Watts is extraordinary - she manages both the physical and emotional demands of the role, with soul-deep conviction. Read full review

Kimberley Jones

Jan 4, 2013

First, to dispel the two talking points attending The Impossible, Juan Antonio Bayona's dramatization of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: No, it's not racist, and no, you don't have to be a parent to feel the film in your bones. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Dec 12, 2012

The film's adult leads, Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, give powerful, natural performances. Read full review

Movieline Alison Willmore

Dec 6, 2012

The latter half of The Impossible is so disappointingly movie-ish, tying a bow on the events after portraying them too vividly to allow them to be wrapped so neatly. It wrings out tears with an industrious efficiency that leaves you feeling manhandled after the exhilarating, terrifying footage that's unfolded before. Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

Nov 22, 2012

A sham realist's disaster movie, tackily insulting the deaths of 300,000 people by reducing the horrors of the Indian Ocean tsunami to a series of genre titillations. Read full review

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User Reviews

MHill

Jan 13, 2013

Very Gripping movie, will bring tears to your eye's ! i was hooked from start to finish. a must watch for 2013 !!!!! its unbelivable this actually happened to this family

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DogeGamer2015

Sep 19, 2020

Una excelente película, tiene buenos momentos de tensión y escenas conmovedoras.
¡TOTALMENTE RECOMENDADA!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hacmiu36

Jan 6, 2013

Best movie i have ever seen. It's has a lot of heart touching moment that can make you cry . it's was so real that can make you believe in that movie

7 of 14 users found this helpful77

quincytheodore

Jan 15, 2013

Focusing heavily on the human aspect, The Impossible is on the other end of disaster movie spectrum, and one born of true struggle. While the first half has plenty of carnage, the latter shows its terrible repercussion. Acting from everyone is incredibly solid, it appeals dearly to audienceFocusing heavily on the human aspect, The Impossible is on the other end of disaster movie spectrum, and one born of true struggle. While the first half has plenty of carnage, the latter shows its terrible repercussion. Acting from everyone is incredibly solid, it appeals dearly to audience by showing the family's struggle in such vivid fashion and without overselling the already grandiose effect of the tragedy.

It's emotionally moving as each member of the family tries to overcome the peril and find strength to do so in midst of the wounded. Naomi Watts (Maria Bennett) gives a fantastic performance, she really portrays the pain and helplessness, but still a mother who has to comfort her child. She displays such rivetingly agonizing grace beyond what make-up, while it helps, could possible show visually.

Tom Holland (Lucas Bennett) is equally impressive, he's so young but already performs such mature role as a child who needs to not only cope with the catastrophe but stay firmly strong for her mother. It's one of the best performances from young actors to date. Ewan McGregor (Henry Bennett) plays the kind father convincingly, who is torn in the overwhelming circumstance. He looks weary, tired and knows he most likely will not succeed, yet marches on staggeringly for his family in daunting shattered scenery.

This family of five endear to audience, especially the children, it's really easy to invest in their story. However, the dialogues are very plain. It's somewhat emphasized on the real life as it… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

sanyrub

Jan 17, 2013

Great film. It´s not a masterpiece by any means, but the acting from all the cast and the way they recreated the tsunami alone deserve the 8 I´m giving it. Naomi Watts is really into the character and gives one of her best if not her best performance to date. The kid is alsoGreat film. It´s not a masterpiece by any means, but the acting from all the cast and the way they recreated the tsunami alone deserve the 8 I´m giving it. Naomi Watts is really into the character and gives one of her best if not her best performance to date. The kid is also great for his age and the few scenes in which Ewan McGregor takes the lead are also really well made, very realistic. After the big tsunami happens I thought I was going to be a little bit bored but it managed to keep my attention. Its flaws: it´s not original, it´s a little bit cheesy at moments and bases it´s strength in playing with the audience. It´s predictable but you don´t mind. The tsunami scenes are so realistic. 8/10… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Seriosity

Jan 12, 2013

Naomi Watts' moving performance is only surprising because she spends much of the film very weak and comatose. The story is life-affirming, but it is hurt by the pounding orchestra that accompanies most if not all of the more emotional scenes. The direction is incredible. A visceralNaomi Watts' moving performance is only surprising because she spends much of the film very weak and comatose. The story is life-affirming, but it is hurt by the pounding orchestra that accompanies most if not all of the more emotional scenes. The direction is incredible. A visceral experience, never more so than during the impressive tsunami which is more impressive than anything out of a disaster film.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

msmith7632

Nov 17, 2020

Too gory, too bloody, too much nudity. Should be rated R for mature audiences. Don't waste your time.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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89	#89 Best Movie of 2012
49	#49 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
14	#14 Most Shared Movie of 2012