This is Ron Howard at his most restrained and effective. Instead of over-the-top heroics, we get a gritty, tactical, and deeply moving look at the 2018 Thai cave rescue. It’s one of those rare 'dad movies' that actually works for the whole family because the stakes are so clear and the payoff is so earned.

It’s a long movie, and much of it is in Thai with subtitles, so it's not a 'background' watch. You need to be locked in. But for families who want a break from mindless blockbusters, this is a high-IQ alternative that celebrates the best of humanity.