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 354 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 354 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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Awards & Rankings

89	#89 Best Movie of 2012
51	#51 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
14	#14 Most Shared Movie of 2012

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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

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

xang

Jan 9, 2013

WOW! 10/10 Such an emotionally evocative film.. I love all the actors! by watching this movie you can feel that your lucky that your in safe now and you should value every moment in your life..perfect for me 10/10...

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

JohnnyStephens

Aug 31, 2013

WOW!! Awesome!!! It's one of the best films I have ever seen!! I was ready to cry in the end. I enjoyed it!!! Bravo!! Excellent!!! Epic and stunning!!!!!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

jessof89

Jan 4, 2013

Very good film, good character development, the eldest son in the film is outstanding, and as you'd expect Ewan Mcgregor and Naomi watts are very good, the scene where the wave hits is very powerful and the special effects are brilliant . Throughout the film i heard many people in the cinemaVery good film, good character development, the eldest son in the film is outstanding, and as you'd expect Ewan Mcgregor and Naomi watts are very good, the scene where the wave hits is very powerful and the special effects are brilliant . Throughout the film i heard many people in the cinema cry, i didn't but i was very close, the eyes were glossing over believe me. Go and watch it, you won't regret it :)… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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

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

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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