Breaking Surface

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1:32

Breaking Surface

Released Dec 9, 2020

1h 35m

Action

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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7 Reviews

49%

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50+ Ratings

A few days after Christmas, half-sisters Ida and Tuva set out on a winter dive in a remote part of the Norwegian coastline. Towards the end of the dive, a rockslide traps Tuva under water. As Ida surfaces to call for help, she discovers that the rockslide has struck above water as well, burying their equipment, phones and car keys--they are completely cut off from any chance of outside rescue. As the frantic race for survival unfolds, Ida is put to the ultimate test of character and forcefulness. During Ida's fight to save Tuva, a fractured sisterhood is exposed, and when all seems lost, the stakes rise beyond simple survival.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Breaking Surface is a miniaturized version of another fabulous boulder-meets-water Norwegian flick, 2015's The Wave: an epic disaster movie on an intimate scale.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 12, 2021

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Meagan Navarro

Bloody Disgusting

Instead of sharks and a required suspension of belief, writer/director Joachim Hedén opts for realism and ingenious situations, creating one of the most intense and propulsive survival thrillers in recent memory.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2020

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Jessica Scott

Film Cred

Writer-director Joachim Hedén’s survival thriller Breaking Surface is a tense and heart-wrenching examination of sisterly bonds that are tested by a terrifying diving accident made all the more dangerous by the looming specter of unresolved family wounds.

Oct 17, 2022

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Peter Martin

ScreenAnarchy

Consistently surprises as it develops into a gripping story of survival.

Rated: 4.0/5.0

Feb 22, 2021

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Margot Harrison

Seven Days (VT)

Writer-director Joachim Hedén has created a pared-down, efficient thriller that evokes all the frustration of those days when not one damn thing goes right for us - only with life-or-death stakes.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 20, 2021

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Alex Saveliev

Film Threat

Will Breaking Surface redefine survival thrillers? Most likely not. But it's a lean, mean little tension machine. You'll be chilled to the bone.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 7, 2021

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James A

What in the heck? There's not option for closed-caption, or listening to the movie in English. Worthless.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

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r96 s

A diving film that does the job. 'Breaking Surface' doesn't set up its characters all that well, though once underwater the stakes are very much felt and the dangers that exist are made apparent. It does get unsettling in parts. Moa Gammel Ginsburg and Madeleine Martin are good value, though the former's Ida isn't as likeable as she ought to be; written a bit iffily. This movie does offer some stunning visuals of the local landscapes. All in all, I'd say it's worth watching. The short 82 minute run time also ensures that events don't drag.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Jeremy W

This is the most tense film I have seen for ages. I had to stop it half way through and just breathe. Incredibly well shot and perfect perfomances. It is a hit.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

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Joshua m

Suspenseful tale of a diving accident. The 2 leads were quite convincing as sisters.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

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Koi P

Suspensful. Frustrating to watch the older sister's decision-making (possibly realistic as she was in pure panic mode and not critically thinking). The scene in the house with the dog prevents me from recommending it. If you are a dog lover, do not watch this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

lance c

No stars for dog killing

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

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Joachim Hedén

Director

Moa Gammel

Ida

Madeleine Martin

Tuva

Trine Wiggen

Anne

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Breaking Surface: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A few days after Christmas, half-sisters Ida and Tuva set out on a winter dive in a remote part of the Norwegian coastline. Towards the end of the dive, a rockslide traps Tuva under water. As Ida surfaces to call for help, she discovers that the rockslide has struck above water as well, burying their equipment, phones and car keys--they are completely cut off from any chance of outside rescue. As the frantic race for survival unfolds, Ida is put to the ultimate test of character and forcefulness. During Ida's fight to save Tuva, a fractured sisterhood is exposed, and when all seems lost, the stakes rise beyond simple survival.

Director: Joachim Hedén
Producer: Julia Gebauer, Jonas Sörensson
Screenwriter: Joachim Hedén
Distributor: Doppelgänger Releasing
Production Co: Screen Flanders, Film i Skåne, Way Creative Films, Umedia, Wegge Films, Way Feature Films, Film i Väst, Filmfond Nord
Genre: Action, Drama
Original Language: Swedish
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 9, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2020
Runtime: 1h 35m

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