Thai Cave Rescue Story:-
The dramatic rescue of a youth soccer team and their coach from a flooded cave system in Thailand during the summer of 2018 remains one of the most inspiring stories in recent memory. Amid intense scrutiny, an international team devised a plan to anesthetize the boys and navigate them out of the flooded caves before monsoon rains worsened. This tense and ultimately uplifting story has been retold multiple times, including in last year’s documentary “The Cave” and this year’s Ron Howard drama “Thirteen Lives,” starring Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell as the heroic British cave divers.

Movie Ratings
Release Date | 22 September 2022 |
Language | English, Thai |
Genre | Adventure, Thriller |
Episodes | 6 |
Cast | Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Papangkorn Lerkchaleampote, Pratya Patong, Songpon Kantawong, Chakkapat Srisat, Thanawut Chetuku, Teeraphat Somkaew, Thanaphong Kanthawong, Thanapat Phungpumkaew, Apisit Yukam, Watcharaphol Poungsawan, Rataphumi Nakisatit, Manatsanun Panlertwongsakul, Arisara Wongchalee, Ronnagaoen Sanitprapadsorn |
Director | Baz Poonpiriya, Kevin Tancharoen, Jon M. Chu |
Writer | Michael Russell Gunn, Dana Ledoux Miller |
Cinematography | Glen MacPherson, Adam Suschitzky |
Producer | Jon M. Chu, Tim Coddington, Charlie Corwin, Michael Russell Gunn, Jo Henriquez, Lance Johnson, Sidney Kimmel, Robert Lamonaca, Winnie Lau, Dana Ledoux Miller, John Penotti, John Logan Pierson, Baz Poonpiriya, Tristan Roche |
Production | SK Global, Netflix, Electric Somewhere Co., Ivanhoe Pictures, Starlight Culture Entertainment |
Certificate | 13+ |
Netflix’s new scripted limited series, “Thai Cave Rescue,” shifts focus to the local response and the children at the heart of the drama. Created by Michael Russell Gunn and Dana Ledoux Miller of “Designated Survivor,” and filmed on location in the actual cave system where the 12 members of the Wild Boars team and their coach were trapped, the Thai-language series approaches the subject matter with a serious tone and hits emotional beats with precision. However, at times, it strains to convey the tension, fear, and emotion of the situation, turning a naturally dramatic story into a melodramatic narrative.

Gunn and Miller excel in detailing the logistical challenges of the rescue operation and depicting how the boys survived weeks without contact with the outside world. Coach Ek (Papangkorn Lerkchaleampote), the young leader of the team, emerges as a quiet hero, guiding the boys to meditate to stay calm and conserve oxygen. The camaraderie among the boys, amidst optimism and fear, is palpable and adds depth to the narrative.
The series falters when attempting to explore the social dynamics surrounding the rescue. A revealing scene early on highlights the power dynamics between a scientist and his assistant, with heavy-handed dialogue that lacks subtlety. The writing outside the cave often feels forced, with lines used to remind viewers of character roles or to evoke a generic sense of uplift.
Throughout the series, there are moments of manipulation, such as characters urging grieving parents to believe in their sons, accompanied by saccharine music cues. While “Thai Cave Rescue” depicts a remarkable saga, its strongest moments occur when it allows the boys and their journey to speak for themselves.