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Breaking Surface
2020 82 min Belgium, Norway, Sweden 16+
★6.8
Drama, Thriller
Director: Joachim Hedén
Trailers
Description
Two Swedish/Norwegian half sisters go on a winter diving trip in Northern Norway, when they get trapped after a rockslide.
Worldwide:
$98,157
Starring
Moa Gammel
Actor
Madeleine Martin
Actor
Trine Wiggen
Actor
Awards
2 wins
Key opinion
Breaking Surface is a lean, claustrophobic survival thriller that garners praise for its atmospheric portrayal of cold-water diving and tense, realistic stakes. However, opinions diverge on the quality of the screenplay, with critics polarized between viewing it as an engaging, gritty genre exercise and a collection of contrived, illogical plot holes.
| Production | The film utilizes the harsh, freezing Norwegian fjords to create an effectively oppressive and immersive survival atmosphere. | |
| Runtime | The compact 80-minute runtime keeps the narrative momentum tight and avoids the bloat found in typical survival thrillers. | |
| Acting | The performances by Moa Gammel and Madeleine Martin are generally seen as reliable and capable, even if the characters themselves lack depth. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is highly divisive; supporters appreciate the focus on technical, grounded survival mechanics, while detractors find the characters' decisions illogical and the dramatic beats formulaic. | |
| Ending | While some viewers praise the gritty, realistic depiction of diving, others criticize the climax as feeling rushed and failing to provide a satisfying emotional payoff. |