Overview
A man must confront the harsh realities of survival in the unforgiving Arctic wilderness after a devastating plane crash.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- austere
- tense
- contemplative
- immersive movie night
- wilderness cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a precise, unrelenting survival thriller elevated by Mads Mikkelsen's nearly wordless performance and its disciplined minimalism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
H. Overgård must manage food, shelter, injury, and navigation alone after a plane crash in the Arctic.
Snowfields, ice, and the polar landscape surround the protagonist while emphasizing his physical and emotional solitude.
Mads Mikkelsen carries the drama through H. Overgård's routines, expressions, and survival decisions, with very little dialogue.
The makeshift camp, fishing equipment, fire, food, and navigation choices determine whether the stranded man can endure or travel.
Films like Arctic, and why
All Is Lost
shared survival-film premise, austere wilderness setting, minimal dialogue, and physically demanding lead performance
The Revenant
shared isolated survival drama, harsh natural environment, resource scarcity, and contemplative pacing
The Grey
shared stripped-down survival thriller structure, escalating environmental danger, and endurance-focused storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Joe Penna
- Release Date
- 2018-11-21
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1442)
Cast
- Mads Mikkelsen
- Maria Thelma Smáradóttir
- Tintrinai Thikhasuk
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Arctic about?
- After a plane crash leaves him alone on the Arctic ice, a disciplined survivor must trade familiar shelter for a perilous journey toward rescue.
- What is Arctic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Arctic as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Arctic violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Arctic as mild.
- What did critics think of Arctic?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a precise, unrelenting survival thriller elevated by Mads Mikkelsen's nearly wordless performance and its disciplined minimalism.
- Which films are like Arctic?
- Films with a similar feel include All Is Lost, The Revenant, and The Grey.
- How long is Arctic?
- Arctic runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Arctic?
- In United States, Arctic streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
