Breaking Surface

Breaking Surface

Year: 2020

Runtime: 82 min

Language: Swedish

Director: Joachim Hedén

Echo Score: 77

Budget: $36M

ActionDramaThriller

When a winter dive goes horribly wrong, half-sisters Ida and Tuva find themselves in a desperate fight for survival. A sudden rockslide traps Tuva underwater, while Ida manages to surface and call for help. However, they soon discover they’re isolated and their essential equipment is buried. Ida must overcome a strained relationship with her sister and utilize her resourcefulness to rescue Tuva, leading them both toward a suspenseful and perilous conclusion.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Breaking Surface yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Breaking Surface (2020)

Trace every key event in Breaking Surface (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ida travels from Sweden to Norway to visit family for their Christmas dive ritual

Ida journeys from Sweden to Norway to visit her sister Tuva and mother Anne. The visit centers on continuing their long-standing December diving ritual, but it also exposes the strain in Ida's marriage and her estrangement from her mother. The setting is charged with holiday expectations and unresolved family tensions.

shortly before Christmas Norway
2

Anne stays home due to a cold; the sisters plan the next morning dive

Anne cannot join the dive because of a bad cold, so Tuva and Ida decide to proceed with their planned dive the next morning. Knut the dog accompanies them into the fjord landscape, providing a quiet companion for the trip. The sisters' uneasy relationship continues to surface as they prepare for the dive.

the next morning Norwegian fjord
3

On the road to the dive site, they encounter a broken-down car

On the way to the diving beach, they meet a woman whose car has broken down. Tuva helps by putting a jack under the car, but the roadside service arrives just as they would assist, and they drive on. They forget to put the jack back in the trunk, setting a small oversight that will matter later.

on the way to the dive site coastal road to dive site
4

They arrive at the dive site and begin preparations

The sisters reach the beach chosen for the dive and prepare their equipment for the underwater descent. Tuva, a professional diver, leads Ida through narrow passages and claustrophobic caves, guiding her sister deeper into the fjord. The mood mixes routine with underlying tension.

morning at the dive site beach at the Norwegian fjord
5

Beluga whales appear during the dive

During the descent, beluga whales surface briefly in front of the sisters and then disappear into the depths. The moment underscores the beauty of the underwater world while foreshadowing danger. The sisters continue the dive with heightened awareness.

during the dive underwater near fjord
6

A rock slide traps Tuva underwater

Seconds after the whales vanish, an underwater rock slide crashes around them and traps Tuva beneath a heavy boulder. She asks Ida to retrieve the jack from the car trunk to lift the obstacle. The event marks a sudden shift from routine to life-or-death.

during the dive underwater near the dive site
7

Ida surfaces and learns of the post-dive danger

Ida surfaces after Tuva's request and is horrified to find that rockfalls have also devastated the surface above. Their equipment and car keys are buried under rocks, making a rescue attempt far more difficult. Knut the dog sits unharmed beside the locked car, unaware of the peril below.

immediately after the dive incident surface near the dive site
8

The jack is missing from the trunk

Ida manages to open the car, but the jack is missing from the trunk, removing the crucial tool needed to lift the boulder. The absence creates a critical obstacle in the plan to save Tuva. The sisters face a new, time-sensitive challenge.

shortly after surface car and dive site area
9

Tuva's life hangs in the balance as oxygen runs out

A dramatic race against time begins as Tuva lies 33 meters below the surface, her oxygen running out. Ida must confront the impossible task of obtaining the jack and orchestrating a rescue while the clock ticks. The situation heightens the sense of isolation and peril in the fjord.

during the dive underwater near the dive site
10

Tension escalates as rescue becomes uncertain

With the jack missing and time running out, the sisters grapple with a mounting sense of desperation. The environment around them is pressing, and every moment below the surface adds to the uncertainty of Tuva's chances. The scene maintains a tight, urgent mood as the outcome hangs in the balance.

ongoing fjord and surface vicinity

Last Updated: December 13, 2025 at 08:21

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is a linear, fast-paced escalation of a single, immediate crisis. Starting from a point of relative calm, a catastrophic event triggers a non-stop struggle for survival. The plot focuses on overcoming a series of escalating physical obstacles, with survival as the singular, clear-cut goal.

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Narrative Summary

The story uses a confined physical space—like being trapped underwater or in a collapsed structure—as a pressure cooker for emotional revelation. The immediate life-or-death crisis forces characters to confront buried resentments, fears, or family issues, making the physical rescue intertwined with a journey of emotional reconciliation or confrontation.

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This thread connects films that share a potent mix of a confined, high-tension setting and a heavy emotional core. The similarity lies in the dual-layer conflict: the external fight for survival and the internal struggle with personal history, creating a cohesive vibe of psychological and physical strain.

Unlock the Full Story of Breaking Surface

Don't stop at just watching — explore Breaking Surface in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Breaking Surface is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Breaking Surface Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Breaking Surface, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Breaking Surface Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Breaking Surface

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Breaking Surface. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Breaking Surface

Breaking Surface Spoiler-Free Summary

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Breaking Surface Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Breaking Surface

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