Breaking Surface (2020), directed by Joachim Hedén, is a tense, psychological thriller set against the breathtaking yet dangerous backdrop of the Norwegian wilderness. A collaborative effort between Belgium, Norway, and Sweden, the film explores the primal fear of survival and the limits of human endurance in a terrifying and isolated environment. With a simple but highly effective premise, Breaking Surface is a thrilling and emotional ride that plunges its characters—and its audience—into the unknown depths of the ocean.

The story centers on two sisters, Ida (played by Moa Gammel) and Tuva (played by Madeleine Martin), who venture into the Norwegian fjords for a winter scuba diving expedition. What begins as a routine dive quickly escalates into a desperate fight for survival when a tragic accident leaves Tuva trapped under a large boulder on the sea floor. With no way to communicate and no immediate help available, Ida must race against time and face the terrifying isolation of the underwater world as she attempts to rescue her sister before their air supply runs out. The film’s premise is simple, yet incredibly effective, using the claustrophobic, dangerous underwater setting to create an atmosphere of relentless tension and fear.