Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Family movie night? There's an app for that

Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

The Impossible

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Very intense story of family's survival against the odds.

Movie PG-13 2012 114 minutes
The Impossible Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 21 parent reviews

Kyler O.
Kyler O. Parent of 9-year-old
November 24, 2023
age 18+

THERES A STRAIGHT NAKED WOMAN DONT WATCH

BROOO I saw it was pg13 and after watching 15 minutes, we were revealed a full naked body part and so much blood and a cut up body with bare skin hanging off. This show is very traumatic and gory and unnecessary straight up nudity.
LeAnn F.
LeAnn F. Adult
January 27, 2017
age 16+

So well done, but disappointed with the nudity(non-sexual)

My husband and I remember vividly the real footage we saw on Boxing Day, and since on YouTube, so we were very excited to see this. We thought it was very well done, and depicted the event well, including the tough choice the father had to make to either take the children with him, exposing them to further horrifying sights, or to leave them with other survivors but with the risks of not knowing where exactly to find them. The only criticism I have, and it's a tough one, is that there was no reason to show a bare breast. It was not in a sexual manner, by any means, but there's never a reason to show someone's private parts on a movie. If it weren't for that, we'd probably buy the movie, but we won't watch it again.
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on the true story of a Spanish family that survived the 2004 Asian tsunami, THE IMPOSSIBLE follows Henry (Ewan McGregor) and Maria (Naomi Watts), a British couple who travels to a luxury resort in Thailand for a Christmas holiday. They have three kids: tween Lucas (Tom Holland) and two younger boys. On Dec. 26, 2004, as the family is playing poolside, the massive tsunami hits the area, sweeping thousands into the ocean. Maria survives the worst but is gravely injured. She finds her oldest, and together she and Lucas attempt to overcome each devastating moment.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21 ):
Kids say (106 ):

Movies about a massively destructive event, whether it's a war or 9/11, can be difficult to watch and even more difficult to make well. By focusing on one family, director Juan Antonio Bayona wisely distills the tsunami tragedy down to the myopic perspective of one distraught woman and her mature-beyond-his-years son. Watts and Holland's interactions beautifully capture the bond between mother and child.

Watts is terrific, and Holland is remarkable -- reminiscent of young Hunter McCracken in The Tree of Life. No longer a little boy but far from a man, Holland's Lucas is fiercely determined to survive and help his mother secure medical attention. Once they safely land at a Thai hospital, the story loses some of its immediacy, but then we find out what happened to the father and brothers thought lost. The Impossible isn't an easy viewing experience, but it reminds us all that even in times of despair, there are moments of hope and small miracles to celebrate.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether The Impossible is a disaster movie or not. How does the depiction of the tsunami compare to other films about catastrophes? Critics have said the movie's ending takes away from its powerful beginning. Do you agree?

  • What feelings do you have while watching this movie? Is it OK to feel happy for the main characters amid so much devastation?

  • Are cinematic deaths resulting from disasters or accidents different than those due to war or other forms of violence?

  • The Impossible is based on a real family's true story. How accurate do you think it is? Why might filmmakers decide to change some details/facts? How could you find out more?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate