Devil's Pass 2013

The Dyatlov Pass Incident is a chilling exploration of a real-life mystery that unfolded in February 1959 on the treacherous Kholat Syakhl mountain in the Ural Mountains, then part of the Soviet Union. Nine Russian hikers mysteriously perished in extreme conditions after fleeing their campsite under enigmatic circumstances. Despite an investigation, Soviet authorities concluded that their deaths were caused by “compelling natural forces,” sealing the site for three years without any criminal evidence, leaving numerous questions unanswered that continue to intrigue the world.

The film opens ominously with haunting black-and-white images of the hikers’ bodies, captioned with the grim fact that they were found two weeks after they had set off. We then meet Holly King, portrayed by Holly Goss, a psychology student from the University of Oregon. She is determined to create a documentary about the incident with her companion, Jenson Day (played by Matt Stokoe), as part of their class project. Under the guidance of their professor, Dr. Martha Kittles, Holly and Jenson are challenged to immerse themselves in the hikers’ experience to uncover the truth behind their fateful journey.

As the narrative unfolds, Holly details their travel plans—flying from Oregon to Moscow and onward to Chelyabinsk, culminating in their ascent to the ominous Kholat Syakhl, aptly nicknamed the “mountain of the dead.” Joining them are seasoned climbers Andy Thatcher (played by Ryan Hawley), JP Hauser (portrayed by Luke Albright), and Denise Evers (acted by Gemma Atkinson), all eager to document their expedition. Their training begins on local ski slopes, leading them to Russia on January 25.

In a gripping twist, news reports reveal that five Oregon students have gone missing, adding a sense of urgency to their journey. Authorities discover remnants of the students’ campsite, while various theories—ranging from accidental misfortune to supernatural encounters—emerge among local experts. The Mansi tribe, native to the area, contributes an eerie perspective, suggesting the location is a crossroads between worlds.

As the students delve deeper into the incident’s background, they encounter Piotr Karov, an ill-fated member of the original hiking group who narrowly escaped the expedition. Playing a pivotal role, he is now confined to a psychiatric facility, haunted by the events of that tragic night. The students face pushback from local officials but remain undeterred, seeking the truth behind the calamity.

Their journey leads them to the eerie foothills of the mountain, where they discover large, inexplicable footprints and perplexing phenomena that challenge their comprehension of reality. Upon reaching their campsite, unsettling events unfold—their navigation devices falter, and an avalanche strikes, claiming lives and leaving the survivors questioning their precarious fate.

Desperation drives them into a hidden bunker, where they uncover chilling remnants of past experiments conducted by Russian soldiers, revealing horrifying truths that intertwine their fate with that of the original Dyatlov hikers. Inside the bunker, supernatural occurrences escalate as Holly and Jenson confront monstrous figures in a battle for survival.

Their harrowing ordeal culminates in a decision to escape through a mysterious portal, leading not only to the fading realms of their reality but also intertwining them with the very story they’ve sought to document. The film concludes with a haunting scene back in 1959, awakening a deeper understanding of the monstrous shadows that linger in the aftermath of the Dyatlov Pass Incident, leaving the audience pondering the enigma that continues to defy explanation.