Arctic

Arctic – The sole survivor of a plane crash over the Arctic continues to live a meagre existence, hoping for rescue. When his distress beacon finally works and a helicopter arrives, a subsequent snow flurry causes it to crash. Finding only one survivor on board, he tries his best to keep her alive but realises their only hope for survival is to set off on a long, perilous journey for a better chance of rescue. 

Arctic (2018) – Director: Joe Penna

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59579445

Rating: 12A

Running Length: 98 mins

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Thelma Smáradóttir 

Genre: Disaster, Drama

UK Release Date: 10th May 2019

REVIEW: ARCTIC

Arctic follows plane-crash survivor, Overgård, who battles the elements to stay alive one day at a time. Little information is given about him other than him being there long enough to establish a routine for survival and rescue. His capabilities, survival instincts and clothing hint at who he was before the crash but nothing explicit is mentioned so the audience is left to get to know him purely from his actions in the now rather than looking at who he was before.

Overgård’s character could easily become too much of anything in lesser hands – too morose, too boring, too bland – but the excellent Mads Mikkelsen balances the character’s wide range of emotions expertly. Through all his highs and lows from triumph to utter despair, the audience is with him every step of the way. Rather than relying on dialogue to describe his thought processes, slight facial expressions instead tell us everything we need to know.

With the stunning but bleak vistas, ‘Arctic’ is a genuine feast for the eyes and Mikkelsen’s hauntingly powerful performance takes us all on a journey of grit, determination and humanity and it’s slow but deliberate pace gives us plenty of time to absorb it all.

CONTENT: IS ‘ARCTIC’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

When the helicopter crashes, Overgård rushes to help but finds that there is only one survivor. He pulls out the other body (which has a small amount of blood on the face), leaving it in the snow.

There are a few graphic injuries which are seen briefly but in close-up. One is a large, bleeding gash on the abdomen of an unconscious person. Another character uses a medical stapler to close the wound; the injured person is completely comatose at this point so no suffering is shown with this. Although this wound is bandaged, it is shown at various times throughout the movie, having continued to bleed and seep through. Later in the movie, a bad, bloody wound on a character’s leg is shown in close-up.

A polar bear attacks when Overgård and the other survivor have taken shelter in a cave. This is quite frightening, with the bear clawing at a small opening, and trying to force it’s face, with gnashing jaws, inside. There is no other way for the two to escape. This scene lasts for a couple of minutes and is quite intense.

Overgård is forced to make extremely difficult choices in order to stay alive. One in particular is decided upon entirely through visuals and, while adults will understand what he has done and why, kids may be confused and upset due to this seeming to be a morally unjust thing to do.

A character falls from a height and their leg is trapped between some rocks. After desperately trying to escape, they realise they must injure themselves in order to get free. They forcefully damage their leg, crying out in pain.

Overgård goes through a whole range of emotions for the entirety of the film and his depression and despair could be distressing for kids.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘ARCTIC’ FOR KIDS?

The bleak outlook, lack of dialogue and slow pace are unlikely to appeal to younger kids but older kids who will appreciate the beautiful visuals and stellar acting from Mikkelsen are bound to take something away from such a thought-provoking story. We recommend this film for kids aged 12 and over.

• Violence: 0/5
• Emotional Distress: 3/5 (Overgård is often seen bereft from loneliness and having to make difficult decisions however these emotions are tempered by his determination to live)
• Fear Factor: 2/5 (the short but intense polar bear scene could be scary)
• Sexual Content: 0/5
• Bad Language: 0/5
• Dialogue: 0/5
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of survivalism, humanity, decision making, determination, coping and living in an extreme environment and helping strangers.

Words by Laura Record