Arctic 2019

Trapped in the unforgiving vastness of the Arctic Circle, Overgård (Mads Mikkelsen) has been reduced to a mere mortal, his daily existence a tedious routine of monitoring fishing lines, charting his desolate surroundings, and manually powering a distress beacon perched atop a nearby peak. His only solace lies in the makeshift “SOS” sign he’s etched into the snow beside his crashed plane, a testament to his unyielding hope for rescue. Yet, despite the crippling effects of frostbite, which have already claimed two or three of his toes, Overgård clings to life, his spirit unbroken.

As if fate were conspiring against him, a polar bear raids his meager supply of fish, pilfered through arduous ice fishing expeditions into the icy waters. Just as he’s reeling from this fresh indignity, a helicopter responds to his beacon, its arrival heralded by the tumultuous fury of an ice storm. But instead of rescue, Overgård is met with tragedy: the pilot (Tintrinai Thikhasuk) is killed in the crash, while the passenger (Maria Thelma Smáradóttir), a severely injured and unconscious Thai national, lies helpless at his feet.

Overgård’s initial instinct is to mourn the loss of life, but as he tends to the woman’s grievous wound – a wide gash in her belly – he discovers an unspoken connection with this stranger. As he dresses her wound and carries her back to his plane, he becomes aware of her gentle squeezes on his hand, a poignant reminder that even amidst desolation, human connection remains possible.

With the helicopter’s wreckage serving as his makeshift morgue, Overgård scours the debris for vital supplies: food, a propane cooking stove, medical equipment, and a sled – hidden in the back of the chopper – which becomes an essential tool in their shared struggle. He also finds a map, its markings indicating that the nearest station lies tantalizingly out of reach.

As the woman’s condition continues to deteriorate, Overgård knows he must take a drastic step: he will risk the perilous journey to the seasonal refuge, etched on the map as a few days’ trek away. Securing the woman to the sledge, he embarks on this arduous quest, dragging her behind him through the unforgiving terrain. Three days later, he reaches the flag position he had planted months prior, its familiar presence marking the outermost boundary of his arduous journey thus far.

As the protagonist (character) navigates the unforgiving terrain, he finds himself confronted by an unexpected obstacle: a treacherous slope not accounted for on the map. Undaunted, he tackles the ascent solo and discovers a seemingly tranquil path stretching out before him. However, his attempts to haul the woman up using ropes prove futile, with three unsuccessful tries leaving him no choice but to opt for a longer, more arduous route around the icy outcroppings. This detour will significantly prolong their journey, adding at least three days to what was initially envisioned as a two-day trek. The exposed path they now follow is mercilessly pummeled by strong headwinds.

As night falls, they seek refuge in a cave, only to have the scent of cooking fish attract a polar bear. With one of his precious distress flares (he has only two), he successfully repels the predator and saves the day. The next morning, the woman’s condition worsens, and the protagonist is beset by the onset of frostbite in his fingers. Assuming her to be at death’s door (as she doesn’t respond to his attempts to engage her), he abandons her and continues on alone, leaving behind a poignant reminder of her family in the form of a photograph. Shortly thereafter, he falls into a crevasse and is knocked unconscious. When he awakens, he finds himself trapped at the bottom of a cavern with one leg pinned beneath a boulder. In a desperate bid to free himself, he injures his calf, suffering a deep gash behind his knee. After repeated efforts, he finally manages to extricate himself from the cavern and back onto the surface.

Returning to the woman’s sled, he is met with an unexpected sight: she is still alive. Overcome with remorse for having left her behind, he weeps in apology before setting his mind on rescuing her once more, despite the fact that his own leg is now severely injured. At the brink of exhaustion, he spots a helicopter in the distance and lights his remaining flare in a futile attempt to attract attention from the crew. Undeterred, he sets his parka ablaze, the only barrier between him and certain hypothermia, and waves it wildly, hoping against hope that someone will take notice. As the helicopter disappears over the horizon, exhausted and resigned, he lies down beside the woman, takes her hand, and prepares to accept his fate. With eyes closed, he awaits the inevitable. But fate has other plans; the helicopter lands behind them, its crew unaware of the drama they have just witnessed.