Maria Bennett (played by Naomi Watts) is a protagonist in The Impossible.
A mother who survives the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with severe leg and chest injuries. Separated from her family, she undergoes surgery at a Takua Pa hospital, is briefly mixed up with a deceased patient due to a chart error, and is eventually reunited with her husband and sons before being flown to Singapore for further treatment. Henry Bennett (played by Ewan McGregor) is a protagonist in The Impossible.
A father who survives the initial tsunami wave and stays behind to search for his wife and eldest son while entrusting his younger sons to another family. He borrows a German tourist's phone to call his father-in-law, receives help searching for his family, and successfully reunites with all his children outside the hospital. Lucas Bennett (played by Tom Holland) appears in The Impossible.
The 12-year-old son who is separated from his mother during the disaster. He helps a toddler named Daniel, is taken to a hospital where a medical chart mix-up briefly separates him from his mother, and later reunites with his brothers and father outside the hospital before sharing important news with Maria on the flight to Singapore. Thomas Bennett (played by Samuel Joslin) appears in The Impossible.
The 7-year-old son who survives the tsunami alongside his brother Simon. He is left with another family for safety by locals, stays on a vehicle that stops near the hospital, and is eventually spotted by Lucas before reuniting with his father and brother. Daniel (played by Johan Sundberg) appears in The Impossible.
Simon Bennett (played by Oaklee Pendergast) appears in The Impossible.
The 5-year-old son who survives the tsunami with his brother Thomas. He is left with another family for safety, gets off a vehicle outside the hospital to urinate, and is recognized by Lucas before reuniting with his father and brother. Norwegian Patient (played by Gitte Witt) appears in The Impossible.
Woman in Charge of Simon and Thomas (played by Nicola Harrison) appears in The Impossible.
The Impossible (2012) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Maria Bennett
(played by Naomi Watts) — protagonist
A mother who survives the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with severe leg and chest injuries. Separated from her family, she undergoes surgery at a Takua Pa hospital, is briefly mixed up with a deceased pat...
Henry Bennett
(played by Ewan McGregor) — protagonist
A father who survives the initial tsunami wave and stays behind to search for his wife and eldest son while entrusting his younger sons to another family. He borrows a German tourist's phone to call h...
Lucas Bennett
(played by Tom Holland) — supporting
The 12-year-old son who is separated from his mother during the disaster. He helps a toddler named Daniel, is taken to a hospital where a medical chart mix-up briefly separates him from his mother, an...
Thomas Bennett
(played by Samuel Joslin) — supporting
The 7-year-old son who survives the tsunami alongside his brother Simon. He is left with another family for safety by locals, stays on a vehicle that stops near the hospital, and is eventually spotted...
Daniel
(played by Johan Sundberg) — supporting
Simon Bennett
(played by Oaklee Pendergast) — supporting
The 5-year-old son who survives the tsunami with his brother Thomas. He is left with another family for safety, gets off a vehicle outside the hospital to urinate, and is recognized by Lucas before re...
Norwegian Patient
(played by Gitte Witt) — minor
Woman in Charge of Simon and Thomas
(played by Nicola Harrison) — minor
Oliver Tudpole
(played by John Albasiny) — minor
Mr. Benstrom
(played by Douglas Johansson) — minor
Karl Schweber
(played by Sönke Möhring) — supporting
A German tourist separated from his own family after the tsunami. He lends his cell phone to Henry to contact relatives and volunteers to accompany Henry as they search for their respective families i...
Morten Benstrom
(played by Emilio Riccardi) — minor
Doctor in Stockroom
(played by Vorarat Jutakeo) — minor
Young Nurse in Stockroom
(played by Karun Konsaman) — minor
Young Thai Man
(played by Tor Klathaley) — minor
Old Thai Man
(played by La-Orng Thongruang) — minor
Simone
(played by Marta Etura) — supporting
Daniel's Father
(played by Jan Roland Sundberg) — minor
Red Cross Nurse
(played by Jomjaoi Sae-Limh) — supporting
Old Woman
(played by Geraldine Chaplin) — supporting
Story Analysis
A family's harrowing journey through the 2004 tsunami, focusing on separation, desperate searches, and emotional recovery.
Plot Progression
Paradise Shattered
Chaos and Separation
Search and Reunion
Recovery and Reflection
Directed by J. A. Bayona
The Impossible (2012) · 7.4/10 · drama, history, thriller
