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I highlighted adventure survival thriller Arctic, from 2019, as a streaming recommendation a year ago, but I think it’s worth another mention, because it makes a perfect double feature with the new Netflix film Society of the Snow.
As Arctic opens, Mads Mikkelsen’s small-plane pilot has been stranded — alone, for weeks at least, scrambling to survive — after a crash in a remote frozen wasteland. And then his situation gets precariously worse. Every minute of this movie, right up until its final frame, is gripping, even with next-to-no dialogue: Mikkelsen is, of course, absolutely riveting even silent.
As intense as this flick is, though, it’s not as harrowing as Society of the Snow, so keep that in mind when planning your viewing: Arctic first, to psych yourself up? Or second, to ease yourself down?
US: stream on Kanopy and Netflix
UK: stream on Prime; rent on BFI Player; rent/buy on Prime and Apple TV
See Arctic at Letterboxd for more viewing options.
