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Adventure drama

Cave Rescue (2019): Cast & Ratings

Cave Rescue (2019) movie poster

Cave Rescue is a 2019 adventure drama directed by Tom Waller, starring Nirut Sirijanya as Thai Govt Minister, Michael Shaowanasai and Thanawut Ketsaro. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes. Its Echo Score is 32/100.

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Cave Rescue (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Tom Waller
Genres
Drama , Adventure
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cave Rescue About?

The premise of Cave Rescue without spoilers.

In 2018, a Thai youth football team and their coach became trapped within a flooded cave in Northern Thailand. A massive international rescue effort quickly mobilized, drawing thousands of volunteers and specialized teams from across the globe. The perilous mission involved divers navigating treacherous conditions and engineers working to pump water from the cave system. The world watched with bated breath as rescuers raced against time to locate and safely extract the young players and their coach from the depths of the cave.

Cave Rescue Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • rescue
  • thai
  • soccer
  • cave
  • monsoon
  • diving
  • thailand
  • journalist
  • international relation
  • year 2018
  • 2010s
  • child in jeopardy
+7 more
  • two word title
  • boy in jeopardy
  • british abroad
  • american abroad
  • british man abroad
  • american man abroad
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Cave Rescue Cast & Characters

Nirut Sirijanya leads the cast as Thai Govt Minister, with Michael Shaowanasai as Thai Official and Thanawut Ketsaro as Thai Navy SEAL. Directed by Tom Waller; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Tom Waller

More films directed by Tom Waller: Cave Rescue, The Last Executioner, Mindfulness and Murder and Eviction.

Full filmography
Ratings

Cave Rescue Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 32/100, strongest in story & flow (35) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

32 /100

Cave Rescue Echo Score Breakdown

Cave Rescue attempts to dramatize the 2018 Thai cave incident, but the consensus among reviewers is that it falls short of delivering a compelling cinematic experience. Critics highlight uneven pacing, limited character development, and subpar cinematography, while noting occasional emotional moments toward the conclusion. The film’s reliance on non‑professional participants and sparse storytelling further diminish its impact. Consequently, its lasting appeal is modest.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, reviewers criticize the film’s visual execution. The handheld camera work is described as exhausting, with shaky shots that obscure details, and the cinematography inside the cave is deemed poor. Production design appears realistic but lacks polish, and editing contributes to uneven pacing, resulting in a modest technical achievement.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    When evaluating character and emotion, critics note a lack of depth and development. Performances by non‑actors are described as comical and one‑dimensional, offering minimal emotional resonance. Although the film’s concluding scenes elicit some tears, overall the portrayals fail to generate strong audience investment, limiting the emotional impact of the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Regarding story and flow, reviewers find the plot uneven and insufficiently engaging. The first half is said to lack grip, while the second half improves but still omits key details about the boys’ survival. The film offers limited insight into the psychological toll of the ordeal, resulting in a narrative that feels more like a summary than a fully realized story.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    In terms of sensory experience, the film receives mixed feedback. Sound design and music are generally unremarkable, while the visual style suffers from muddied underwater shots and excessive title cards lacking sufficient display time. The frequent use of Thai dialogue without subtitles further hampers comprehension, contributing to a less immersive auditory‑visual environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    Assessing rewatch factor, the consensus suggests limited replay value. Many reviewers advise watching alternative versions, citing this film’s redundant scenes, slow pacing, and lack of new insights. While some find it an acceptable supplemental piece after other adaptations, its overall appeal is insufficient to merit repeated viewings.

Videos

Cave Rescue Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Cave Rescue.

Official Trailer
Details

Cave Rescue Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Miracle in the Cave” and “Nang Non”.

Also known as
  • Miracle in the Cave
  • Nang Non
  • The Cave: The True Story
  • 洞穴
  • Milagro en la Caverna
  • The Cave
  • 营救野猪队
  • 동굴
  • Cuộc Giải Cứu Hang Tham Luang
  • Uskomaton luolapelastus
  • 奇蹟救援
  • Jeskyně
+10 more
  • Ocaleni
  • Csoda a barlangban
  • 奇迹救援
  • Le sauvetage de Tham Luang
  • Jaskyňa
  • Пещера
  • The Cave - Acqua alla gola
  • Urvas
  • Milagre na Caverna
  • פעולת חילוץ / המערה

Seen Cave Rescue?

FAQ

Cave Rescue FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Cave Rescue, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cave Rescue?

Cave Rescue runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Cave Rescue released?

Cave Rescue was released on October 5, 2019.

Who directed Cave Rescue?

Cave Rescue was directed by Tom Waller.

More films by Tom Waller

Who is in the cast of Cave Rescue?

Cave Rescue stars Nirut Sirijanya as Thai Govt Minister, Michael Shaowanasai as Thai Official and Thanawut Ketsaro as Thai Navy SEAL, among 15 credited actors.

Does Cave Rescue have a post-credit scene?

No. Cave Rescue has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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