The Quake (Skjelvet in Norwegian), released in Norway on August 31, 2018, and directed by John Andreas Andersen, is an emotional and gripping film about a disaster that impacts Oslo. It adapts a Norwegian film franchise by expanding on ‘The Wave’ released in 2015 and adds more urban depth by focusing on the capital of Norway.
Plot & Narrative Arc
The character of Kristian Eikjord (Geologist), who is played by Kristoffer Joner, is shown isolated in a cabin post-divorce and disconnected from his kids, Sonde, and Julia, succumbing to survivor’s guilt three years after a devastating tsunami in Geiranger. To make matters worse, Kristian is also struggling with intrusive thoughts about not being able to save more people during the disaster, which fuels his relentless trauma.
Instead, he is pulled back into reality after the unexpected death of a peer in a tunnel cave-in close to Oslofjord. Despite being labeled a paranoid by his friends and even the government, Kristian’s drive to uncover the anomaly of the Oslo tectonic plates push him to the limit. To make matters worse his frantic attempts to inform government officials about the impending doom are met with polite, but, unwavering skepticism.
At this point, he clumsily attempts to reconnect with his family by attending the ballet
recital of his daughter Julia and facing his ex-wife. However, the tension still lingers.
When the catastrophe finally occurs, the earthquake is the final blow to the Oslo skyline, demolishing
its historic landmarks, and plunging the city into utter chaos. Kristian attempts to save his family, rushing
to protect them. His wife Idun is stuck on the 34th floor of a skyscraper, and his daughter Julia is with her
colleague Marit in a dangerously tilting marionette theater. Kristian delays his own escape and helps Idun, but
they get stuck in an elevator shaft. Idun dies a horrific death, and Kristian is left bail out Julia and Marit.
In a moment of anguishing bravery, he gives up everything to save them, and promises to always cherish Idun.
Never looking back.
After everything is settled, Norway is left in grief. There is a somber reminder that the country
cradles unprecedented reserves of seismic energy, and underlying threats could surface without a hint of
warning.
Cast & Crew
Kristoffer Joner as Kristian Eikjord, the troubled
geologist and emotionally scarred protagonist.
Ane Dahl Torp as Idun, his estranged wife, who
becomes a tragic figure caught in the quake.
Edith Haagenrud-Sande as Julia, their daughter
whose emotional bond with Kristian is central to the story.
Jonas Hoff Oftebro as Sondre, the older son, part of the fractured family dynamic.
Kathrine Thorborg Johansen plays Marit, the daughter of the deceased colleague, who assists Kristian with his mission.
Screening for the film was done by John Andreas Andersen and scripted by John Kåre Raake and Harald Rosenløw-Eeg.
The producers of the film are Martin Sundland and Are Heidenstrom. The musical score was done by Johan Söderqvist and Johannes Ringen, and John Christian Rosenlund was in charge of the cinematography while Christian Siebenherz was in charge of editing.
The film portrays different emotional themes, but the central issue of the film remains uneasiness. The Quake portrays grief the film portrays uneasiness and catastrophic destruction, these themes go hand-in-hand. The emotional journey of Kristian, who starts with guilt and isolation, mirrors the destruction happening around him.
Critics have applauded this film for finding the right balance between action and a grounded character driven plot. The Quake features quieter moments that allow for character development, making the quieter moments of destruction much more severe.
Visuals & technical merits
The Quake is obvious proof that Norway has modest film budgets compared to Hollywood, however the movie shows remarkable craftsmanship. While telling the story, the movie also displays collapsing of skyscrapers, the slanting of the corridors, and the vivid sounds of cracking infrastructure, which captures the viewers attention without the need of overt special effects.
Particularly noteworthy is the film’s sound design. The subtle sounds of the flicker of lights and the groan of stressed steel, as well as the rumbling beneath the earth creates a sense of uneasiness prior to the main quake. The disaster’s arrival is a culmination of stunningly artistic and hyper realistic sequences, which rival breathtaking works of art. The office floor’s tilt, a piano that uncontrollably slides through a corridor, and the elevator shaft rescue are moments filled with tension.
Reception & legacy
Norway is well on the path to solidifying its presence in the action and disaster film genre as the movie performed incredibly well, raking in approximately thirteen point eight million dollars worldwide. The film performed strongly at the box office, winning multiple awards at the Amanda Awards in Norway. These awards included the People’s Award, Best Visual Effects alongside nominations for Best Film and Best Production Design.
Both fans and critics agreed that the movie captured the breathtaking visuals of destruction as well as the emotions adeptly. While some felt the movie dragged in the first half, many agreed that the slower pace helped with the impact of the disaster in the second half.
Why It Stands Out
The Quake, in comparison with the stereotypical blockbuster disaster movie, differentiates itself in a number of ways:
Human Focus – The stakes feel dire and intimate because the film follows one family’s struggles instead of a large ensemble cast.
Realistic Scale – The destruction that occurs feels realistically grounded in geological possibility, as opposed to being exaggerated for cinematic impact.
Emotional Depth – The disaster is not only physical but instead focuses on the psychological aspects, illustrating the impact of trauma over a span of years.
Sequel With Continuity – It picks up immediately after The Wave, following the narrative and emotional threads instead of fresh, unrelated ground.
Conclusion
The Quake hauntingly and earnestly evolves the personal drama of The Wave into a wider, and more intense, urban setting. It blends visually stunning disaster sequences with raw human emotions to create a personal anchor for the shock and awe of the spectacle.
This shows how smaller film industries can still create effective thrillers imbued by character and believable catastrophe. Kristian’s movement from grief to a hero’s journey echoes far beyond the screen, and so, “The Quake” is much more than a thrilling disaster film; it is a powerful cinematic exploration of profound loss, relentless resilience, and the extraordinary efforts one man undertakes to safeguard his loved ones.
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