Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Devil's Pass (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Devil's Pass (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 100 min · English
JustWatch #18,814 4
Directed by
Renny Harlin

Five American students travel to Russia's Ural Mountains to investigate the Dyatlov Pass incident, a puzzling event where nine Russian hikers perished under mysterious circumstances. While exploring the remote and dangerous landscape, the group encounters unsettling phenomena and faces escalating peril. Their investigation reveals a series of disturbing clues, blurring the line between natural disaster, paranormal activity, and something far more sinister, ultimately endangering their own lives.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Devil's Pass
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Devil's Pass (2013)

Where can you watch Devil's Pass? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on History Vault, Philo and Sundance Now: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Devil's Pass Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Devil's Pass (2013), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Holly King

    Holly King, a determined psychology student, is driven by her desire to uncover the truth behind the Dyatlov Pass Incident. She exhibits strong leadership qualities and relentless curiosity, which push her team to confront the eerie mysteries of the mountain. Her character embodies a blend of intellect and courage, constantly seeking answers despite the dangers they face.

    • 🎓 Student
    • 🎥 Filmmaker
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Investigator
  • Jenson Day

    Jenson Day, Holly's companion, is depicted as resourceful and supportive as they navigate the chilling depths of their investigation. His character complements Holly's determination, providing a steady presence amid chaos. He embodies the spirit of adventure and inquiry, always ready to tackle the challenges presented by their haunting exploration.

    • 🎓 Student
    • 🎥 Filmmaker
    • ⚡ Adventurer
  • Piotr Karov

    Piotr Karov, an ill-fated original hiker, provides critical insight into the tragedy of the Dyatlov Pass. Bound by the trauma of his past, he conveys the haunting experiences that led to his survival, lending a chilling perspective to the narrative. His character illustrates the psychological impact of unexplained horrors, enriching the film's exploration of fear and the unknown.

    • 👤 Survivor
    • 😔 Traumatized
    • 🏞️ Hiker

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:44

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Devil's Pass Take Place?

The setting of Devil's Pass (2013): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

February 1959

February 1959 marks the tragic Dyatlov Pass Incident in Soviet Union history. During this chilly winter month, nine hikers mysteriously lost their lives under perplexing circumstances, sparking numerous theories and investigations. The event is surrounded by a sense of foreboding, contributing to its enduring legacy in the realm of unsolved mysteries.

Location

Kholat Syakhl, Ural Mountains, Soviet Union

Kholat Syakhl, also known as the 'mountain of the dead,' is pivotal to the Dyatlov Pass Incident. This treacherous mountain, located in the Ural Mountains, is shrouded in mystery and tragedy, having witnessed the unexplained deaths of nine hikers in 1959. Today, it remains a site of intrigue, drawing adventurers and those fascinated by its eerie history.

  • 🏔️ Mountain
  • 🇷🇺 Russia
  • 🌌 Mystery

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:44

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Devil's Pass Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Devil's Pass (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural

    The theme of the supernatural is central to the narrative, as the characters confront inexplicable phenomena reminiscent of the Dyatlov hikers' fate. As they delve deeper into the mountain's history, they encounter otherworldly elements that blur the lines between reality and myth. This theme raises questions about the unknown and challenges their understanding of existence itself.

  • Investigation

    The investigation theme runs throughout the film, as Holly and Jenson seek to uncover the truth behind the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Their journey represents the human desire for knowledge and understanding, reflecting how the past can haunt the present. This quest highlights the lengths individuals will go to unveil hidden realities, even when faced with insurmountable challenges.

  • Desperation

    Desperation looms over the characters as they face life-threatening situations while exploring the mountain. As they encounter obstacles such as avalanches and supernatural occurrences, the urgency to survive intensifies. This theme reflects the human instinct to prevail against insurmountable odds, illustrating the fight for life and the terror of the unknown.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:44

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Devil's Pass Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Devil's Pass (2013): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Kholat Syakhl located?

Kholat Syakhl is a mountain in the Ural Mountains of Russia, known as the 'mountain of the dead.' It is the site where the Dyatlov Pass Incident occurred in 1959, when nine Russian hikers perished under mysterious circumstances. The mountain remains a remote and treacherous location that continues to attract investigators and adventurers.

  • kholat syakhl
  • ural mountains
  • dyatlov pass
  • russia
  • mountain of the dead
Q2

What was the Dyatlov Pass Incident?

The Dyatlov Pass Incident was a mysterious tragedy that occurred in February 1959 in the Ural Mountains. Nine experienced Russian hikers died under unexplainable circumstances, with their bodies found scattered across the mountain. The event remains one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries, with theories ranging from avalanche to supernatural causes.

  • dyatlov pass
  • 1959
  • hiker deaths
  • soviet union
  • unsolved mystery
Q3

Why is Kholat Syakhl called the 'mountain of the dead'?

Kholat Syakhl earned its ominous nickname due to the tragic Dyatlov Pass Incident of 1959, where nine hikers died on its slopes. The name reflects the enduring sense of tragedy and mystery that surrounds this location, which continues to draw people fascinated by the unexplained deaths.

  • kholat syakhl
  • mountain of the dead
  • dyatlov pass
  • tragedy
Q4

Who is Holly King in the film?

Holly King is a determined psychology student who leads the investigation into the Dyatlov Pass Incident. She is driven by a relentless curiosity and strong leadership qualities, pushing her team to confront the eerie mysteries of the mountain. Her character embodies intellect and courage as she seeks answers about the tragic event.

  • holly king
  • psychology student
  • leader
  • investigator
Q5

Who is Jenson Day in the film?

Jenson Day is Holly King's companion, depicted as a resourceful and supportive presence throughout their investigation. He complements Holly's determination with a steady demeanor, embodying the spirit of adventure and inquiry as they explore the haunting depths of the mountain.

  • jenson day
  • companion
  • resourceful
  • supportive character
Q6

Who is Piotr Karov in the film?

Piotr Karov is an original hiker who survived the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Bound by the trauma of his past experience, he provides critical insight into the tragedy, sharing chilling details about the events that led to the deaths of his fellow hikers. His character illustrates the psychological impact of unexplained horror.

  • piotr karov
  • original hiker
  • survivor
  • dyatlov pass
Q7

What supernatural elements are explored in the film?

The film centers on supernatural themes as the characters confront inexplicable phenomena reminiscent of the Dyatlov hikers' fate. As they delve deeper into the mountain's history, they encounter otherworldly elements that blur the lines between reality and myth, challenging their understanding of existence itself.

  • supernatural
  • paranormal
  • unexplained phenomena
  • otherworldly
Q8

How does the investigation theme develop in the film?

The investigation theme runs throughout the film as Holly and Jenson seek to uncover the truth behind the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Their journey represents the human desire for knowledge and understanding, showing how the past can haunt the present. The quest highlights the lengths individuals will go to unveil hidden realities, even when facing insurmountable challenges.

  • investigation
  • truth
  • discovery
  • quest
  • dyatlov pass
Q9

How is desperation portrayed in the film?

Desperation looms over the characters as they face life-threatening situations while exploring the mountain. As they encounter obstacles such as avalanches and supernatural occurrences, the urgency to survive intensifies. This theme reflects the human instinct to prevail against insurmountable odds, illustrating the fight for life and the terror of the unknown.

  • desperation
  • survival
  • danger
  • fear
  • life or death
Q10

Why do the characters investigate the Dyatlov Pass Incident?

The characters are driven to investigate the Dyatlov Pass Incident due to its status as one of history's most puzzling unsolved mysteries. Holly, as a psychology student, seeks to understand what happened to the hikers, while the group hopes to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that claimed nine lives in 1959.

  • investigation
  • dyatlov pass
  • psychology
  • mystery
  • truth seeking

Movie threads

More Movies Like Devil's Pass, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Devil's Pass tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Found Footage Horror Movies like Devil's Pass

Investigative horrors captured through the lens of the terrified protagonists. If you liked the immersive, first-hand terror of Devil's Pass, discover similar found footage horror movies. These films place you directly in the action, using shaky cameras and realistic reactions to build tension and dread, focusing on investigative stories where the search for answers leads to unspeakable horror.

  • found footage
  • claustrophobic
  • unsettling
  • paranoid
  • documentary style
  • raw
  • Tone: tense, bleak, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically follow a group of investigators, documentarians, or amateurs as they explore a mysterious phenomenon. The narrative unfolds through their cameras, starting with curiosity and escalating into sheer panic and a desperate fight for survival as their investigation uncovers a threat far beyond their understanding.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their distinct cinematic style and shared narrative structure. The found footage format creates a unique vibe of authenticity and immediacy, prioritizing immersive tension over polished visuals, and often leads to bleak conclusions where the camera becomes the only witness to the horror.

Isolated Winter Horror Movies like Devil's Pass

Stories where freezing landscapes become a deadly trap for the unwary. For viewers who enjoyed the frozen, unforgiving terror of Devil's Pass, this list features similar movies where characters are trapped in snowy, remote locations. These stories use the harsh environment to amplify fear, focusing on survival against both natural and unnatural forces that thrive in the icy silence.

  • snowbound
  • isolated
  • ominous
  • claustrophobic
  • desperate
  • freezing
  • Tone: ominous, desperate, bleak
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a group being isolated in a vast, snowy landscape, cut off from help. The environment itself poses a constant danger, while a mysterious threat picks them off one by one. The story is a tight survival thriller where the characters' resources and sanity are tested against an implacable foe.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a powerful atmospheric connection through their setting. The visual and sensory experience of the cold, white, silent landscape creates a unique brand of claustrophobia and dread, making the isolation feel absolute and the threat more terrifying.

If you liked this

Movies Like Devil's Pass

Similar movies to Devil's Pass: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Devil's Pass (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Devil's Pass in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app