Synopsis
The 33 is an intense survival drama film depicting the 2010 mining tragedy that captured global attention. Directed by Patricia Riggen and with a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten, and José Rivera, the film tells the poignant story of 33 Chilean miners who became prisoners of the San José copper and gold mine, located in Copiapó, Chile, for a harrowing 69 days. They endured incredible physical and mental challenges, and the story shows the remarkable willpower and collective resolve, as well as the international collaboration that was mobilized to rescue them.
The movie starts with familiarizing the audience with the miners and their families living in the remote Atacama Desert area. Mario Sepúlveda (Antonio Banderas) is the main character—a lively miner, and a natural leader who was well liked among her coworkers. He is shown getting ready to start his day at work, alongside other miners, including Don Lucho (Lou Diamond Phillips) who works as the mine’s safety supervisor, and Yonni Barrios (Oscar Nuñez) who is a troubled miner. The movie provides insights into people’s lives capturing enduring economic challenges and strong family relationships.
In the movie’s initial scenes, tragedy befalls the miners when “The Heart of the Mountain” collapses and traps the 33 miners more than two thousand feet inside a Chilean mine. This rock formation, weighing an estimated 700,000 tons, seals the main exit as the men are deep inside the mine. The mine’s owners, negligent in enforcing safety standards, try to downplay the situation, leading to a desperate government response as the miners’ fate remains unknown, stuck in an almost certain coffin.
In the pitch black and suffocating darkness, reality begins to dawn upon the group. Supplies meant to last for a few days are quickly exhausted due to the limited food and water provided. The thought of dying begins to instil terror, which rallies Mario to take emergent action in restoring order. He enforces an extreme routine: one sip of milk, half a cookie, and a spoonful of tuna each. While the rest of the group descends into panic, Mario’s oppressive structure helps calm hope.
Above ground, the miners’ families are gathering at the site and refusing to leave until they receive answers. María Segovia (Juliette Binoche), the sister of one of the miners, emerges as a powerful advocate for the families. Her fierce presence and unyielding demand for action accelerates the allocation of resources by the Chilean government to the rescue operation.
The narrative balances the psychological and physical suffering of the miners with the emotional and logistical intensity of the rescue effort at the surface. Minister of Mining Laurence Golborne (Rodrigo Santoro) is appointed to spearhead the government’s response and galvanizes engineer André Sougarret (Gabriel Byrne) to develop an ambitious plan which methodically drills through layers of unstable rock toward the miners. Time is their greatest enemy.
A probe finally reaches the miners 17 days after the collapse, against all odds. They attach a note that confirms for the first time all 33 are alive. “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33” (“We are well in the refuge, the 33”). At this moment, the rescue effort shifts to a global scale from an national one, featuring a multidisciplinary team that includes professionals from the United States and Canada. NASA engineers, along with international drilling specialists, come to design a capsule that can lift the miners out safely.
Yonny grapples with his complicated love life and Don Lucho feels overwhelming guilt for not preventing the disaster, while Mario works towards keeping everyone together. Increasing tensions in the mine bring with them a sense of impending doom as hallucinations take hold. Although the situation inside the mine grows increasingly dire, the miners show astonishing acts of kindness and fortitude. Faith, storytelling, shared laughter, and at times, quiet moments, become the vital tools that sustain them.
The rescue capsule, Phoenix, is prepared for the final retrieval of the trapped miners. On this date, the world watches live as each miner is pulled to safety. The emotional reunions captured are both tearful and triumphant as Mario emerges from the capsule joking about handing out souvenirs which lightens the mood. Although every miner is welcomed back as a hero, the film shows the long lasting effects on their mental health as well as the public’s short attention span after the media frenzy.
Cast & Crew
Antonio Banderas as Mario Sepúlveda: Banderas performs exceptionally as the miners’ informal leader. He successfully conveys a blend of charisma and bravery while depicting the mental strain inflicted on a person put in such an extraordinary position.
Juliette Binoche as María Segovia: Juliette embodies the fierce resolve of a sister who fights until the very last moment, portraying the family’s voice and the relentless pressure they exercised on those in power.
Rodrigo Santoro as Laurence Golborne: As the Minister of Mining, Santoro met with both political and logistical hurdles in regard to the rescue, bringing weight and authority to the position.
Lou Diamond Phillips as Don Lucho: Phillips captures the supervisory character’s guilt with poignant touch. His performance makes the film a fuller experience.
Gabriel Byrne as André Sougarret: Byrne as the chief engineer is the one who rescues the trapped miners, and he conveys the calm rationality of a focused problem solver remarkably well. He embodies the calm and rational backbone of the rescue operations.
Oscar Nuñez as Yonni Barrios: Known for his comedic roles, his performance here is more subdued and serious as he plays a man fighting personal vices.
Director: Patricia Riggen adds a sensitive, anthropological dimension to the film. While the story is hyper-masculine and focused on survival, the fact that it was told by a woman gives it a different depth and makes it more relatable and evocative.
Writers: The screenplay integrates real-life occurrences seamlessly while adding layers of drama, emotion, and humanity, thanks to the work of Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten, and José Rivera.
Music: The late James Horner composed the movie’s soundtrack, giving it bittersweet themes that accompany the film’s emotional moments and add to the stakes.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
The 33 has an IMDb rating of 6.9/10, indicating a generally positive reception. Viewers found the film moving and respectful, although critics felt it relied on Hollywood predictability and dramatization. While the acting was praised, the film’s emotional sincerity was criticized.
Antonio Banderas received considerable praise for his commanding role in the film and the production design for capturing the stifling atmosphere inside the collapsed mine was equally lauded. Additionally, the film gained recognition for its diverse cast and its English-language script, which aimed to cater to a global audience while retaining Chilean identity.
The film succeeds where it lacks narrative innovation in emotional tribute. The 33 pays tribute to both the unwavering dignity and spirit of common individuals confronted with unbelievable adversities, and the remarkable international collaboration that rescued them, framing its characters in a way that highlights their humanity.
Conclusion
The 33 serves as a poignant reminder of the remarkable tenacity of human beings, capturing the very essence of human endurance, unwavering solidarity, and the relentless will to live. The film depicts the Chilean mining disaster of 2010 and its aftermath while portraying the physical suffering and emotional turbulence through strong performances from Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche, alongside a carefully dramatized script. Although it doesn’t necessarily redefine the cinematic disaster archetype, the film is an important reminder of the power of cinema: the ability to commemorate real-life events that inspire global unity, hope, faith, and kindness.
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