In an era when Hollywood thrived on unleashing star-studded casts into catastrophic mayhem in the name of “Disaster Epics,” the genre eventually met its demise, fizzling into cheap camp after reaching its zenith with films like The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Towering Inferno (1974).  What’s never faded into obscurity is the power of inviting the audience to reflect on the fragility of existence, the endurance of the human spirit, and the profound interconnectedness of life and death.

That’s why gripping and emotionally charged films like Society of the Snow, inspired by the harrowing true story of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, can transcend the conventional boundaries of the genre, portraying survival not merely as a physical feat but as an intense journey of the soul.

Often called the “Miracle in the Andes,” the events surrounding Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 began on October 13, 1972. The aircraft, carrying 45 passengers, including members of the Uruguayan rugby team, Old Christians, crashed in the Andes Mountains. The survivors faced extreme conditions as they awaited rescue, including freezing temperatures and high altitudes. Lacking proper supplies, they resorted to desperate measures for survival, including cannibalism, to endure the harsh conditions. After unimaginable hardships, survivors were rescued on December 20, 1972, over two months after the crash.

The remarkable story gained international attention and has already been recounted in feature films like Survive! (1976) and the more well-known Alive (1993). A 2007 documentary (Stranded: I’ve Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains) featured interviews with the survivors and highlighted both the human instinct for survival and the moral challenges they faced in their most dire circumstances. Though the documentary was thorough, no narrative film had managed to capture the scale of the story while balancing the human element.

In Society of the Snow, based on Pablo Vierci’s novel, director J.A. Bayona brings the same intensity to audiences he delivered with 2012’s The Impossible, another survival film inspired by the devasting 2004 tsunami in Thailand. The film unfolds with a strong focus on the character development of the passengers of the ill-fated flight; the large ensemble cast (thrillingly led by Enzo Vogrincic as the narrator) delivers compelling performances, portraying the range of emotions experienced by those stranded in the unforgiving Andes Mountains. Over 144 minutes, Bayona (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom)  and his cast provide a nuanced understanding of the characters’ lives before the crash and their evolving dynamics as they grapple with the evolving situation.  The screenplay is heartbreakingly respectable to the lives lost, yet manages to throw in a significant twist that reminds us we are indeed watching a movie.

The plane crash scene in 1993’s Alive will always live rent-free in my head for its terrifying depiction of the deadly in-flight dilemma; however, Bayona’s version in Society of the Snow evokes the same raw, bone-crunching nightmare but does it without exhausting the audience. More terrible things await the survivors, and if Bayona loses the viewer by going all out with a spectacular demonstration of special effects, these later events will lose their dramatic heft. In that way, he can skillfully balance moments of intense suspense with quieter, reflective scenes, allowing the audience to connect strongly with the characters. The moral dilemmas the survivors face are explored in depth, raising thought-provoking questions about the lengths one would go to survive.

One of the film’s standout elements is its meticulous attention to detail in recreating the challenging conditions faced by the survivors. From the breathtaking yet treacherous landscapes to the freezing temperatures and dwindling resources, the audience is immersed in the visceral struggle for survival. Pedro Luque Briozzo’s (Body Cam) cinematography captures the vastness and isolation of the Andes, adding a chilly layer of authenticity. The desolate landscapes, towering peaks, and biting winds become silent witnesses to the human drama unfolding against their majestic backdrop.

Michael Giacchino’s (Lightyear) poignant score complements the film beautifully, enhancing the emotional impact of critical scenes without overshadowing the raw realism of the story. An extended credit sequence is worth sitting through not just to view photos of the passengers but to hear the intricate notes Giacchino has composed.

As Spain’s submission for Best International Feature, the film is a testament to Bayona’s directorial prowess, offering a beautifully made exploration of the human will in the face of unimaginable challenges. With its meticulous storytelling and powerful performances, Society of the Snow deserves (and I think will get) recognition on the grand stage of the Academy Awards.