Society of the Snow on OTT- Five reasons why this survival thriller is a must-watch film for every human?

Society of the Snow shows how reality can be better than a William Golding novel (Yes, you read that right, better than The Lord of Flies). The film is a Spanish adaptation, directed by renowned filmmaker J.A. Bayona, after a long time since The Orphanage, his Espanol debut. The film has already carved a niche with its spectacular, though mostly newbie cast.

Society of the Snow is a spectacular film that should not be missed for several reasons, chiefly, for the following five though-

Society of the Snow is well-directed

Society of the Snow marks a niche for itself in international cinema, despite its local premise. The accident may have involved the Andes mountains and Uruguayans, but the impact of the return of survivors from such a horrendous accident is proof of the lack of proper effort and insight that is required both by the airline industry of the ‘70s and the lackadaisical approach of the scouters and searchers for survivors. The film boasts off a beautiful vision well-executed by Bayona’s talented team, from the reflected shot of the survivors indulging in cannibalism via a sunglass, to the incredible crash sequence (which is considered by many the best in cinematic history till date).

Society of the Snow approaches cannibalism unlike any other

Cannibalism is a revolting, scary, yet sensational topic that attracts a lot of attention but inspires little more than an insensitive pointed finger or a round of the childhood game Chinese whisper. The fact that to stoop to such a desperate nadir is required but by the most extreme situations, escapes the common sense of most humanity. They condemn the survivors for their diet but forget their own comprising the graveyard of many creatures great and small. Bayona, as a filmmaker, approaches the topic with minimal sensationalism and maximum sensitivity, never displaying an atom of unnecessary gore onscreen, and treating the entire subject with respect unlike ever seen before. The result is a nomination each in the Academy Awards for Visual Effects and Makeup and Hairstyling.

Also read: Society of the Snow OTT release- When and where to watch the humane portrayal of the 1972 Andes plane crash 

Society of the Snow showcases cultural authenticity unlike even Ethan Hawke’s Alive

Society of the Snow is a film that not only included the survivors of the original 1972 plane crash in its crash, but also based its story on the titular novel by Pablo Vierci, who is also a classmate of the survivors as well as an associate producer of the film. The fact that the film’s cast is mainly local and Uruguayan-Argentinian by nature, further helps maintain the cultural relevance and dissolves the language barrier that English might have acted as. The film also maintains a realistic flow of narration and events, despite its thrilling pace, almost in a documentary manner, in order to not divert from its goal of showcasing the truth.

Society of the Snow has left box-office hoarders like Oppenheimer in the dust at Oscars 2024

Society of the Snow is one of the underdogs at Oscars 2024, who has scored four nominations. That is right after Barbie, along with Killers of the Flower Moon, ahead of popular projects like Oppenheimer, Poor Things, and Maestro. The film has secured nominations in Visual Effects, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, and International Feature Film. The film is reckoned most likely to be among the top dogs of the Academy Awards, if fate and critics are not against their simple yet enthralling project.

Also read: Society of the Snow X review- X users wonder why such brilliant films do not win Best Picture at the Oscars 

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Society of the Snow shares a warm lesson of kindness and empathy amidst a disastrous premise

Bayona’s Society of the Snow is one of the rare films that focuses on faith and kindness instead of the bestial instincts in humanity once free from the restraints of human society, in the wilderness, like William Golding’s magnum opus The Lord of Flies. The film enhances how humans behave in tough situations, for survival but not at the cost of other lives. From chewing food and putting it in a dying friend’s mouth in order to sustain him, like a mother bird, to carrying injured friends to safety and nurturing them to the best of their starved capabilities, Society of the Snow teaches a solid lesson or two in empathy and kindness, without ever appearing preachy, only vulnerable and real.