Based on one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters in history, The Impossible presents a true story about a family of five that was caught off guard on their vacation to Thailand.

Arriving in Thailand around Christmas in 2004, Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor), and their three sons- Lucas (Tom Holland), Thomas (Oaklee Pendergast), and Simon (Samuel Joslin) – celebrated Christmas at a beautiful resort near the beach. However, their relaxing day at the pool just one day later turned into a complete disaster as the ground shook around them, palm trees fell, and an enormous tidal wave left them with no escape.

The movie focuses mainly on the mother’s struggle to survive after her leg was badly injured from the debris in the polluted tsunami waters and her eldest son’s effort to keep her alive. It perfectly displays the fear each of the family members experienced and their determination to find one another among the disastrous shores of Thailand.

After seeing this movie in theaters I have to say that it definitely exceeded my expectations. Granted, I hadn’t seen any commercials for it and only got a quick glimpse from a tailor but it totally surpassed what I was anticipating.

All I really knew about the movie was that it was about a family trying to find each other after being separated by the tsunami waves. It turned out to be a lot more interesting than that because the film not only presented the family’s emotions and fear but also the struggles of the thousands of other people who were effected and everyone’s will to help one another.

It was a truly captivating and inspiring movie that had me engaged from start to finish—and even got me a little teary-eyed. I recommend it to anyone that can handle a little blood and can stay conscience enough to focus on the true miracle that the movie uncovers.