The Impossible

The Impossible is currently streaming in Australia on Stan and ABC iview, and in the US on Kanopy, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 6,729 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Naomi Watts anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Impossible earns its spot. The plotting in The Impossible is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. In December 2004, close-knit family Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand. But the day after Christmas, the idyllic holiday turns into an incomprehensible nightmare when a terrifying roar rises from the depths of the sea, followed by a wall of black water that devours everything in its path. Though Maria and her family face their darkest hour, unexpected displays of kindness and courage ameliorate their terror. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor lead a cast that never lets the mystery feel thin. It was released in 2012. What makes The Impossible hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find The Impossible proves them wrong. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Naomi Watts's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.