Breaking Surface (2020)

Director/Writer: Joachim Hedén
Starring: Moa Gammel (Ida), Madeleine Martin (Tuva)
Genre: Survival / Drama / Thriller
Runtime: 82 minutes

Set off the Norwegian coast just after Christmas, Breaking Surface follows half-sisters Ida and Tuva, a pair of experienced divers, on what begins as a routine winter dive. Disaster strikes when a sudden rockslide pins Tuva underwater at depth. Ida surfaces to sound the alarm—and discovers their equipment, car keys, and communication devices buried under the debris. Suddenly isolated in freezing waters with dwindling oxygen, Ida must fight both nature and time to save her sister. What unfolds is a tense, claustrophobic struggle for survival and redemption. 

1. Intense, Realistic Survival Tension
Hedén opts for realism over monster tropes—no sharks here—just gravity, cold, and human error. The film becomes “one of the most intense and propulsive survival thrillers in recent memory,” leavened by harrowing but plausible scenarios inspired by diving physics and real dangers
Cinematography by Eric Börjeson and Anna Patarakina captures the Nordic fjords in stunning clarity, juxtaposing the serene beauty of underwater scenery with the deadly hush beneath the surface. As Bloody Disgusting notes, the “underwater sequences keep the action crystal clear,” which heightens suspense and throws the sisters’ peril into stark relief
Moa Gammel (Ida) and Madeleine Martin (Tuva) bring emotional depth to their roles. Gammel’s portrayal of terror and determination is particularly effective, anchoring the film’s emotional arc as she confronts both physical and psychological crises. Their sisterly dynamic makes the stakes resonate well beyond a mere survival setup .

At 82 minutes, Breaking Surface maintains high tension without filler—anything that can go wrong does—and the pacing never relents. The lean runtime enhances the film’s urgency and grips the audience from start to finish

1. Familiar Survival-Drama Beats
Critics have pointed out that the narrative doesn’t break new ground. It follows a standard formula: characters trapped, clock ticking, improvisation ensues. As Film Threat observes, it doesn’t “redefine survival thrillers,” though it executes them well .

2. Emotional Payoff That Fizzles
While the film sets up familial tension—especially a past incident between the sisters—some argue that this subplot loses momentum once the physical peril takes over. The climax, though satisfying, can feel emotionally undercooked 

3. Midpoint Drag
A few reviewers felt the tension ebbs around the middle, with the pace stalling before ramping up again. That said, the gripping intensity soon returns .

Breaking Surface is a sharp, minimalist survival thriller that succeeds on sheer tension and physical stakes. Though familiar in structure, it delivers suspense through realism, strong performances, and stark natural beauty.