Thirteen Lives (2022) is a biographical survival film directed by Ron Howard, centered around the remarkable Tham Luang cave rescue that took place in Thailand in 2018.
The screenplay was crafted by William Nicholson, and the film features a talented cast, including Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, and Tom Bateman, who portray key members of the international rescue team. The narrative follows the gripping events of June 2018, when a junior Thai soccer team and their coach became trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave system. As the world watched in suspense, a team of expert cave divers, led by British divers Richard Stanton (Mortensen) and John Volanthen (Farrell), raced against time to save the 12 boys and their coach from their perilous situation.
The production of Thirteen Lives took place on location in Australia and Thailand, with a budget of approximately $55 million. The film was produced by MGM and released by United Artists Releasing. Originally slated for a theatrical release in April 2022, the film faced delays and ultimately premiered in select theaters on July 29, 2022, before becoming available for streaming on Prime Video on August 5, 2022.
The film features a strong ensemble cast, with Viggo Mortensen portraying Richard Stanton, Colin Farrell as John Volanthen, and Joel Edgerton as Richard Harris. Other notable performances include Tom Bateman as Chris Jewell, Pattarakorn Tangsupakul as Buahom, and Sukollawat Kanarot as Saman Kunan. The casting choices received praise for their authenticity and ability to convey the emotional weight of the story.
Thirteen Lives has been well-received by both critics and audiences. It holds an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 178 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. On Metacritic, it has a score of 66 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Critics have praised the film for its gripping dramatization of the true story and the strong performances from the lead actors, particularly Mortensen and Farrell, who effectively captured the tension and urgency of the rescue mission.
The film has also garnered recognition in the awards circuit, winning the Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature award from the Visual Effects Society. Additionally, Colin Farrell received a nomination for British Actor of the Year at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards, and the film was nominated for Best Cinematography at the San Diego Film Critics Society Awards.
Overall, Thirteen Lives stands out as a compelling retelling of the incredible Tham Luang cave rescue. Its combination of suspenseful storytelling, strong performances, and emotional depth brings this remarkable true story to life on screen, resonating with audiences and leaving a lasting impact.