Breaking Surface

Set in December, shortly before Christmas, the action unfolds under the stark Nordic winter. The region's short days and freezing waters amplify the danger as divers navigate claustrophobic caves. The present-day setting keeps the stakes close and immediate, with everyday concerns like family and home juxtaposed against life-or-death underwater peril.

Set along a Norwegian fjord near a small coastal area, the film uses stark winter light and icy waters to create a claustrophobic setting. The sisters drive to a remote beach chosen for their dive, with the surrounding barren cliffs and looming rocks shaping the danger. The dive takes place in narrow passages and underwater caves, where beluga whales briefly appear before danger erupts.

🧭 Survival

Survival is the central test as Tuva is trapped by a rockslide and Ida races against time to free her. The story emphasizes the physical and mental endurance required in open water and underwater cave systems. Ida's resourcefulness, focus, and protective instincts toward her sister drive the tension from start to finish.

👪 Family Bonds

The film centers on the complex web of family ties: Ida's troubled marriage, her estrangement from her mother, and Tuva's close connection with Anne. The pre-Christmas dive ritual becomes a crucible for loyalty, memory, and reconciliation. Their relationships underpin the moral weight of every risky decision.

🌊 Nature's Ruthlessness

The underwater rockslide and above-water rockfalls remind viewers of nature's indifferent power. The serene underwater world can turn deadly in an instant, testing skill, teamwork, and nerve. Beluga whales briefly appear, underscoring the ocean's beauty before danger erupts.