The Impossible (2012)

Based on the real-life account of surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by Maria Belon, The Impossible is an entirely different type of horror story. Brought to the screen by director Juan Antonio Bayona and screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez (the Spanish filmmakers behind 2007's dark, paranormal award-winner The Orphanage ), the film achieves a terrifyingly visceral realism through a combination of visual effects, miniatures and water tanks, as well as a standout performance by Naomi Watts as Maria Belon. Yet, in its portrayal of the aftermath of the natural disaster-intent on reducing the event to the trite message of the triumph of the human spirit-The Impossible lacks emotional verisimilitude and loses its sense of authenticity. Read the rest of the review here.