Thirteen Lives (2022)
Thrilling true story of heroes, perfect for fans of tense rescue missions like Apollo 13 and The Martian.
Genres: Drama, Thriller
Cast
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Thirteen Lives(2022)
Overview
Based on the true nail-biting mission that captivated the world. Twelve boys and the coach of a Thai soccer team explore the Tham Luang cave when an unexpected rainstorm traps them in a chamber inside the mountain. Entombed behind a maze of flooded cave tunnels, they face impossible odds. A team of world-class divers navigate through miles of dangerous cave networks to discover that finding the boys is only the beginning.
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Cast
Full Cast & Crew
Viggo Mortensen
Rick Stanton

Colin Farrell
John Volanthen

Joel Edgerton
Harry Harris

Tom Bateman
Chris Jewell

Paul Gleeson
Jason Mallinson

Teeradon Supapunpinyo
Coach Ek

Girati Sugiyama
Lek

Pasakorn Hoyhon
Chai

Tanatat Srita
Arm

Kaokuson Sorapap
Aat

Nophand Boonyai
Thanet Natisri

Sukniran Sukcharoen
Poom

Ensai O'Haire
Decha

Thanthapthai Chanin
Dew

Achi Jinapanyo
Prem

Thanaphat Thopiata
Wit

Phitakphong Boonnet
Rit

Joe Chuensawan
Tul

Nawanut Kaeomueangsi
Nop

Thitiphat Bheganan
Don
Featured Comments/Tips
Having seen both this and the documentary, I really appreciated Howard's widening the scope to include the less visible helpers, like the farmers whose crops were ruined and the water engineers/laborers. Beautifully made. Might just be Ron Howard's best work for me. No dramatization of anything. No portrayal of politics, or the rights and the wrongs. A movie that truly honors the people, the volunteers involved in the rescue, and most importantly the people who lost their lives.
Good, pretty long, but good 7/10.
Let me tell you, I was STRESSED while I was watching this. I was STRESSED.
I've watched a ton of TV and Films this year that have come out to much hype that I have found underwhelming to say the least, so it was nice that this film slipped out on Amazon Prime without much fanfare or build up to be one of the enjoyable 2022 releases I’ve seen. Ron Howard mentioned on Mark Kermode’s podcast that Farrell and Mortensen asked for prep time to learn how to dive (hardly surprising considering Viggo is infamous for disappearing on his horse into the New Zealand wilderness during Lord of the Rings casting) and the film is all much stronger for it, Howard brings his eye for documentary making to the direction and you feel right up there with the divers throughout. Colin being teamed up with Viggo appears to have brought out the best in Farrell; he delivers a low-key performance that his genuinely great to see. Viggo is excellent as always but he’s one to not accept a role unless he believes in it, so you always know he’ll bring his A-game. If you have Prime Video this is a no-brainer to check out.
Honest, Tense, Gripping, Thirteen Lives is not a gasp-inducing action adventure that you might assume it to be but is a faithful and honest adaptation of the biggest rescue operation in the history of Thailand. Ron Howard's direction is fantastic In extremely difficult conditions and settings he has made a tension-filled episode of the great operation. Viggo Mortensen and Collin Farrell as the British divers are exceptional. The production value, the actors involved and the reimagining of all circumstances along the operation is presented in a way close to reality with no theatrics and drama. I wished they could have added a bit more scenes with the boys and their conversations in the tough time. Even the background sound could have been much better to build the tension around it. Overall though, a thoughtful and gripping re-telling of what happened, and ALL of the people who helped to save them proving as a triumph of the human spirit. Check my page www.instagram.com/stream.genx
Great film. When I saw Vern in the cast list I wondered how they would handle this with all the social media goings on and it was all completely ignored in favour of focusing on the rescuers and the kids. Treated very well like United 93, Apollo 13 etc
The rescue of thirteen kids in a cave. What did they get in for?
This was a great movie, usually reenactment movies can be a little rough or cringy to watch but I was surprised at how good this movie was. The writing, acting, and realism were really good
As a SCUBA divemaster and Los Angeles County ADP, Rescue diver I approve this movie.
[spoiler] I will rate this film water/10 [/spoiler]
An excellent movie with a documentary feel about a real event. The movie is about how 13 people who were trapped in a cave that was flooding were saved. The conditions were extremely difficult and dangerous, which helps the movie keeping up the suspense even though the ending is known.
The fact that we knew the outcome robbed the film from the tension. Also that there's a much better Nat Geo documentary about it.
This is a very competent Hollywood movie, but it lacks the 'oomph' or soul that it really needed to take it to that next level, either by elevating the drama and tension or making the acting more memorable. Instead, it is overlong and steeped in realism in an attempt to make up for its shortcomings. The two leads are still very strong, and it is directed well aside from some annoying diving scenes.
I really love movies, based on real events. This movie is about humanity. It is not yet lost. I hadnt heard about this story by now and this movie did what it was supposed to - this story must be spread.
Definitely a worth while movie. It's well paced. Keeps you on the edge of your seat and anxious (even knowing the outcome). I think the cast has done quite well to showcase the difficult situation. I particularly liked Joel Edgerton's portrayal of Dr. Harry and the his thoughts in during what was a very tense time. If you're on the fence, you should watch it!
This story shows you how the human spirit can be inspiring if we all focus on what's actually important in life rather than focusing on money and power and greed and success like most humans believe. If aliens visited earth and saw the effort that was put by all the volunteers from all over the world risking their lives and livelihoods to save a bunch of kids - they might actually spare the human race. But if they visited a board meeting at a big pharma company or the offices of a faceless hedge-fund on Wall Street then they will annihilate the human race (for good reason). In terms of production, the movie is excellent. The story telling, production, realism, and acting all amazing. PS: Poor Ron Howard got the measurements wrong - the boys were 2.5 miles (not 2500 meters) inside the cave.
One of the best movies I've seen this year.. From start to finish it keep you glued to your seat..10/10
Absolutely phenomenal film that, with the help of an amazing Sound Production, really gives you a glimpse as to what it was like for the divers attempting to rescue the team and coach. You are put into their wetsuits and feel every bang of the head, hear every laboured breath, feel every tension that they go through. A simply excellent movie.
Just when you thought the crisis is about to get resolved, bigger and more complex challenges arise from all sides; and as those things unfold, it touches not only the obvious and notable domestic/social aspects, but more significantly, it tackles the political side of things and reveals the true motives and agendas of each character involved. This roller coaster of a real-life drama-thriller is definitely a must see.
Masculinity is awesome. So good.
This is a great movie from start to finish. It leaves no stone unturned showing how much thought and work went into rescuing the thirteen. I wouldn't call it a miracle, I'd call it hard work, science, resilience and a bit of luck.
And the fact it was all real… A must-watch
Even though I've seen The Rescue twice already and know this story pretty well, I was still enthralled with the portrayals in this film. I was struck by the focus on the boys and what they were dealing with that wasn't dealt with much in the documentary. Mortensen, Farrell, and Edgerton played the parts very well and captured what I feel like those men are truly like based on listening to interviews with them. Well done keeping me on the edge of my seat.
Featured User Reviews

What's possibly most remarkable about this real life tale of courage and ingenuity is that a pretty A-list cast don't really overwhelm the story. Their contributions are solid and fairly undramatic as they allow the chronology to develop and the suspense and pressure to accumulate. It's history - so we know what happens, but somehow that lack of jeopardy doesn't really matter as we follow the efforts of an international team trying to rescue the twelve boys and their coach who have found themselves stuck underground, a few kilometres from the entrance, after heavy monsoon rains struck and flooded the tunnels. Now, of course, the first question might have been for the coach - didn't he look at the weather forecast first? However, now marooned quickly in their dark and claustrophobic environment, Ron Howard takes his time to demonstrate to us all just how this most innovative and challenging of evacuations was planned and executed - none of it without considerable risk to everyone involved. We are drawn into the scenarios, and I felt that I had skin in this game - the story has a palpable immersion (no pun intended) for the viewer. The cast gel well without any stand-out contributions or wordy dialogue, which I think well illustrates the strenuous pressures put on these men, essentially volunteers, by themselves, the families, the authorities and the relentless rain. The subterranean photography works really well in generating a feeling of peril and I certainly shared in that sense of relief at the end... A cinema watch is better, if you can - somehow the big screen demonstrates the small, tight spaces, better!

MORE SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/ "Thirteen Lives follows the usual formulas of works based on true events, but Ron Howard's honest, non-Hollywoodized direction allows him to efficiently tell one of the most remarkable survival stories of the last decade. The entire cast is extraordinary, but it's Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell who mainly guide the film through all the relevant, claustrophobic plot points in a somewhat heavy viewing runtime-wise. Interesting for viewers with little to no knowledge of what happened, but the question remains as to whether it adds anything truly significant to the documentary The Rescue about the same 18 days of suffering, anxiety, and uncertainty. Massive praise for the worthy amount of screentime of the Thai language." Rating: B-

Thirteen Lives is a deeply moving film that highlights the incredible true story of the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand. Directed by Ron Howard, the movie focuses on the global effort and teamwork that led to the miraculous rescue of a young soccer team and their coach. The performances by Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton are excellent, portraying the bravery and skill of the divers who risked everything to save the boys. The film is technically outstanding, with gripping underwater scenes and a realistic portrayal of the challenging conditions faced by the rescuers. Howard’s direction keeps the focus on the human element, showing the immense sacrifices and collaboration that made the rescue possible. However, I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. The movie spends so much time on the rescuers’ perspective that it doesn’t dive deeply into the emotional experiences of the boys and their coach. This lack of focus on their side of the story left me feeling that a key part of the event’s impact was underexplored. Despite this, Thirteen Lives is still a powerful film that captures the resilience and determination of everyone involved in the rescue. It’s a testament to what humanity can achieve when people come together in the face of impossible odds. While it might not fully explore every emotional angle, it’s a well-made and inspiring story that’s worth watching.
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