★★★★ out of ★★★★★
Breaking Surface will have you on the edge of your seat and gasping for breath.
Directed by Joachim Hedén
Breaking Surface is the story of Norwegian sisters Ida (Moa Gammel) and Tuva (Madeleine Martin) who grew up diving the frigid waters of Norway. Haunted by the memory of a childhood diving trip that almost ended in tragedy, elder sister Ida trepidatiously returns to Norway for a weekend of celebration with her sister and mother, but when their mother falls ill and can’t join them for the dive, the girls head to a remote fjord to start the weekend alone. The tides turn when Tuva becomes pinned to the bottom of the ocean by a large rock after and avalanche leaving Ida in a desperate fight to save her sister.
Breaking Surface is not a traditional horror movie; there is no gore, no supernatural creature, but horror or not it will have you on the edge of your seat and gasping for breath. It is wonderfully shot and well acted with majestic scenery that succeeds in putting the weight of the ocean on your chest. It is one hell of a survival story and an emotional rollercoaster that had me in tears… I haven’t felt this claustrophobic since watching The Descent.
Breaking Surface has not yet been released but had its US premier during the Nightstream Film Festival. We will keep you updated on when you can see this film for yourselves and decide if it meets your criteria for a horror film?
Until then, check out podcast episodes 3 and 109 for more Horror or Not picks!
Moa Gammel in Breaking Surface (2020) 
Madeline Martin in Breaking Surface (2020)