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 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 333 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 333 Ratings

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THE IMPOSSIBLE

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Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: December 21, 2012

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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Awards & Rankings

88	#88 Best Movie of 2012
51	#51 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
13	#13 Most Shared Movie of 2012

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 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

Portland Oregonian - Marc Mohan

Jan 3, 2013

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

Philadelphia Inquirer - 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

Austin Chronicle - 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

ReelViews - 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

Slant Magazine - 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

theahsanhaseeb

Jan 9, 2013

Beginning with a terrifying dramatization of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which is considered to be one of the worst disasters of the history, The Impossible is an uplifting and exceptional story of a family that survives the disasters but they lose each other for some time, they don't knowBeginning with a terrifying dramatization of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which is considered to be one of the worst disasters of the history, The Impossible is an uplifting and exceptional story of a family that survives the disasters but they lose each other for some time, they don't know where to find each other, obviously, because of large casualties and also because one cannot think properly after encountering the most shocking thing they would haven't even imagined. The story of Belon family is based on a true story of the survivors and I must say that this is an exceptional piece of story penned into the film. The cast members especially Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor give phenomenal performances, so powerful that it makes you cry at times. Their characters seem believable, you can get inspired by them, it doesn't feel like there is no development in their characters. Hats off to Juan Antonio Bayona for such an outstanding direction. From beginning to the end; everything from the occurrence of the disaster to the reunion of the family; everything from the screenplay and camera work to the editing; everything is flawless, perfect, emotional and motivating. The Impossible is clearly one of the finest and the best films of 2012. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE TEARJERKER. A MUST WATCH!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

nikritic

Jul 14, 2013

The impossible is just one of those films that reminds us of how small our lives are and how important it is to not take it for granted with pride,greed ,cruelty... but to be good, love....

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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 13 users found this helpful76

inaneswine

Nov 14, 2017

Ewan McGregor and young Tom Holland were both more deserving of the Oscar nod than Naomi Watts, good as she was. Other than that, there's not much to complain about with this one. Unusually for a true story tragedy movie of its kind, it shows you the disaster from every angle it can think ofEwan McGregor and young Tom Holland were both more deserving of the Oscar nod than Naomi Watts, good as she was. Other than that, there's not much to complain about with this one. Unusually for a true story tragedy movie of its kind, it shows you the disaster from every angle it can think of with very impressive visuals. Overall, it's a white knuckle ride from start to finish, and there won't be a dry eye in the house by the time the credits roll.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Sep 22, 2018

subtle and genuinely effective..

Lo Imposible The Impossible is a character driven biographical drama about a family that gets lost in a natural disaster occurred at 2004 in Indian Ocean. Bayona's excellence is projecting the highest of emotions where you float in its bubble of bravado upsubtle and genuinely effective..

Lo Imposible

The Impossible is a character driven biographical drama about a family that gets lost in a natural disaster occurred at 2004 in Indian Ocean. Bayona's excellence is projecting the highest of emotions where you float in its bubble of bravado up till he pins you down with a reality that conveys a straight out message from nature by narrowing down the priorities and leaves you in an awe of its abyss feeling. The plethora of emotions that it is flooded with, can be difficult to grasp as its pathos premise has the potential to melt you down within few seconds (the first act between Watts and Holland is mesmerizing) and with a cast of caliber like such justifies the script with their performance. The first half is specifically brilliant, as its metaphor are subtle and genuinely effective where the passion of the project meets the weaving of the craft boosting up the essence with a stronger impact. Despite of having such a poignant concept, Bayona's finesses never manipulates the viewers just to connect, but tells an honest and uncompromising tale. The background score isn't that effective, along with the cinematography but the editing is definitely its strength along with the camera work that is manually handled in order to offer a more personal touch. As mentioned earlier, the performance objective is what fuels this sometimes overstretched vision and Watts is the responsible person to contact for it is one of the best portrayal of her career where she is supported brilliantly by Holland and McGregor. The narrative is sharp, adaptive and gripping since it focuses the family drama that is fabricated to speak volume metaphorically. Lo Imposible is quite possible but it comes with a manual book, and fortunately Bayona has it memorized by heart and now watch him ace this test.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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 1 users found this helpful01

alessandrovergn

Jan 23, 2017

One start because the tsunami scene is technically realistic. That's all, you can change channel or change movie just after that, the movie is so unbearably and annoyingly predictable that is a real waste of time to watch. The lucky family survives and everybody else dies...what a shame andOne start because the tsunami scene is technically realistic. That's all, you can change channel or change movie just after that, the movie is so unbearably and annoyingly predictable that is a real waste of time to watch. The lucky family survives and everybody else dies...what a shame and an insult for the people who really suffered in this event.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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