“Arctic,” directed by Joe Penna and released in 2018, is a gripping survival drama that immerses viewers in the stark beauty and brutal realities of the Arctic wilderness. The film, which Penna co-wrote with Ryan Morrison, showcases a powerful performance by Mads Mikkelsen as an unnamed man stranded in this desolate landscape, creating a haunting exploration of resilience and the will to survive.

The story opens with a striking visual of the unforgiving Arctic environment, immediately establishing a tone of isolation and peril. Mikkelsen’s character, a pilot whose plane has crashed, is left to fend for himself in an inhospitable world. The narrative unfolds with minimal dialogue, relying heavily on Mikkelsen’s expressive performance to convey the character’s inner turmoil and determination. This minimalist approach allows the film to focus on the raw, primal instincts that kick in when survival is at stake.

As the plot progresses, the protagonist’s solitary existence is disrupted when he discovers another survivor, a severely injured woman played by Maria Thelma Smáradóttir. The man faces an agonizing choice: to stay in his relative safety or risk everything to seek help for the woman. This moral dilemma deepens the narrative, as it not only tests his physical capabilities but also challenges his humanity and compassion.