Ron Howard’s gripping survival drama Thirteen Lives (2022), starring Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen, is airing tonight on major networks and streaming platforms, reminding audiences why this unflinching true-story thriller earned a stunning 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and left viewers shaken with its raw intensity.

Based on the astonishing 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, the film recounts the desperate mission to save 12 young boys and their football coach trapped deep inside a flooded cave system during the monsoon season. As rising waters threatened their lives, an international team of expert cave divers — led by British rescuers John Volanthen (Farrell) and Rick Stanton (Mortensen) — risked everything in a race against time and nature.

Howard’s direction transforms the real-life miracle into a taut, claustrophobic thriller, immersing viewers in the dark, water-filled tunnels with breathtaking underwater cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom. Farrell and Mortensen deliver career-defining performances: Farrell as the calm, determined Volanthen, Mortensen as the gruff, brilliant Stanton. Their chemistry grounds the film’s moral complexity, highlighting the divers’ humility amid global attention.

Supporting turns from Joel Edgerton, Tom Bateman, and Thai actors portraying local volunteers and officials add authenticity and emotional weight. The film honours the thousands of unsung heroes — farmers, soldiers, and villagers — who pumped water and provided crucial support.

Critics hailed Thirteen Lives as “powerful and provocative,” praising its restraint: no Hollywood heroics, just quiet courage and teamwork. The New York Times called it “one of the most tense and moving films of the year,” while Variety lauded Farrell and Mortensen’s “deeply human” portrayals. The 93% score reflects near-universal acclaim for its grounded storytelling and refusal to sensationalise.

Audiences have echoed the praise, describing it as “unsettling yet inspiring” and “impossible to shake.” Many note the film’s lingering impact: the fear of drowning, the weight of impossible choices, and the miracle of survival against overwhelming odds.

Originally released on Prime Video, Thirteen Lives stands out in a crowded true-story genre for its fidelity to events and avoidance of clichés. Howard consulted divers and families extensively, ensuring cultural sensitivity and accuracy.

As it airs tonight, this dark, grounded thriller offers the perfect New Year’s Eve watch for those seeking something meaningful amid festivities. It’s a reminder of human resilience — and the terrifying fragility of life.

Don’t miss Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen at their most powerful in a story that proves truth can be more gripping than fiction.