Time: 144 Minutes
Age Rating: R13 – Content may disturb
Cast:
Enzo Vogrincic as Numa Turcatti
Matías Recalt as Roberto Canessa
Agustín Pardella as Nando Parrado
Tomas Wolf as Gustavo Zerbino
Esteban Kukuriczka as Adolfo “Fito” Strauch
Francisco Romero as Daniel Fernández Strauch
Rafael Federman as Eduardo Strauch
Felipe González Otaño as Carlitos Páez
Agustín Della Corte as Antonio “Tintín” Vizintín
Valentino Alonso as Alfredo “Pancho” Delgado
Simón Hempe as José Luis “Coche” Inciarte
Rocco Posca as Ramón “Moncho” Sabella
Luciano Chatton as Pedro Algorta
Agustín Berruti as Bobby François
Juan Caruso as Álvaro Mangino
Andy Pruss as Roy Harley
Esteban Bigliardi as Javier Methol
Director: J. A. Bayona

I first really heard about Society of the Snow when it received a couple of Oscar nominations, and decided to look into it. I was further interested when I learned that it was directed by J. A. Bayona, who previously made The Orphanage and A Monster Calls, both really great films. Having seen it, I think that it deserves to be getting a lot more attention, because I’d say that it’s among the best movies from 2023.

Society of the Snow is based on a true story from the 1970s, one which I wasn’t familiar with before going into the movie. I figured that some people in the story survived the events of the film, from the initial plane crash to the hostile and freezing environment. That said, it’s still quite an experience even if you know the outcome. This is a movie about survival and it is compelling watching these people come together and try to overcome everything that’s thrown at them. It is a harrowing, bleak and emotionally gruelling experience, made even more so by the fact that it is based on an unbelievable true story. You are right there with them throughout, and despite all the things that happen, you just can’t look away. It also still manages to feel respectful of the dead and the survivors, apparently the film was developed closely with the real people. While it does have its slower moments, overall, it is well paced over its nearly 2.5 hour runtime.

This movie sports an impressive and terrific ensemble of newcomer actors, who deliver marvellous and emotional performances as they portray the people who were put through the absolute wringer.

J.A. Bayona directed this well, and he delivered an immersive and visceral experience. The cinematography is excellent, really showcasing the beautiful scenery, from the vast landscapes to the gorgeous mountains, and it helped to really put you right there in the moment. There is so much detail on screen. The tense sequences are directed excellently, of course the plane crash which starts the plot off is really well done and feels realistic. But there are plenty of other scenes which are equally terrifying and unsettling. This is further helped by the stellar editing, incredible VFX, and some top notch makeup. Finally, it is made even better and all the more moving by one of Michael Giacchino’s very best scores.

Society of the Snow is a harrowing, visceral, and incredibly made true-life survival story with excellent performances. It’s on Netflix right now, definitely check the movie out, it’s well worth it.