The Impossible

Maria Bennett, her husband Henry, and their three sons arrive at a beautiful resort in Khao Lak, Thailand for a Christmas holiday. This marks the beginning of what they hope will be a joyful and memorable family vacation.

On December 26, 2004, disaster strikes as a massive tsunami hits the coastal area where the Bennett family is vacationing. The serene landscape quickly transforms into chaos, sweeping Maria and her family into a struggle for survival.

Amidst the destruction, Maria suffers severe injuries to her leg during the disaster. Despite her pain, her instinct to protect her family drives her to keep searching for her lost son, Lucas, while desperately trying to cope with her situation.

While trying to survive, Maria encounters a lost boy named Daniel and bravely insists they help him. Together, she and Lucas find refuge in a tree as they await rescue from the devastating waves.

Local villagers arrive on the scene and rescue Maria and Lucas, transporting them to a nearby hospital. They manage to use a door as a makeshift stretcher for Maria, emphasizing the chaos of the unfolding disaster.

Once at the hospital, Maria's concerns about her leg heighten. She urges Lucas to monitor her injury, reminding him to alert her if it grows worse, while encouraging him to assist other injured patients.

In a tragic hospital mix-up, Lucas believes that his mother has died. Left feeling alone and lost in a tent with other displaced children, he struggles with the memory of his family and the fear of being forgotten.

Meanwhile, Henry is frantic as he tries to keep Tomas and Simon safe. He sends them off with a vehicle full of tourists to a safe haven while he embarks on a desperate search to find Maria and Lucas.

During his search, Henry meets a German tourist named Karl who offers him a phone to contact his father-in-law, Brian. This brief connection represents Henry's attempt to reach out amidst the overwhelming fear of losing his family.

In a dramatic twist, Henry walks past Maria's hospital room. For a brief moment, Maria catches a glimpse of her husband's shadow, though her weakened state prevents her from calling out to him.

Lucas spots his father in a crowd but loses him just as quickly. However, in a heartwarming reunion, he hears his brothers' voices and races towards them as Tomas and Simon leap from a truck to find their sibling.

The family finally comes together after a long and traumatic series of events. Lucas informs Henry that their mother is in the hospital, prompting immediate concern and relief in the chaotic aftermath.

The family learns that Maria is gravely ill and urgently needs surgery. After a successful procedure, a representative from their insurance arrives to arrange for their transport to a hospital in Singapore for further treatment.

In a touching moment, Lucas shares with his family that Daniel, the boy they rescued earlier, has been reunited with his father. This brief moment of joy amidst the tragedy highlights the bonds formed during their ordeal.

As their plane ascends towards safety, Maria gazes out the window, witnessing the sheer devastation of the landscape left behind by the tsunami. Tearfully, she reflects on both the heartbreak and the miraculous hope of their survival.