Netflix is known for producing highly anticipated originals, but the platform can sometimes produce unexpected hits, as was the case with The Abyss.
The film captivated viewers and quickly shot to number one on the Top 10 list, surpassing the viewership of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. But what is this movie about and why is it so interesting for movie buffs? Let’s explore.
What is “The Abyss” on Netflix?
The Abyss is a Swedish disaster film directed by Richard Holm and written by the filmmaker’s son Robin Sherlock Holm and Nicola Sinclair. Starring Tuva Novotny, Peter Franzen, and Cardo Lazzasi.
Set in the Swedish mining town of Kiruna, the film reveals how daily mining activity causes seismic activity, until one day it causes a major earthquake and Kiruna is in danger of completely collapsing. Masu. Trying to stop this is Frigga (Novotny), the mine’s head of security, who must go deep underground to find the source of the shaking and stop it before it’s too late.
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The film has already attracted 22.3 million viewers and 38.2 million hours watched in one week, making it the top non-English film on the streaming platform from February 19th to 25th. By comparison, this week’s top English movie was “Mea Culpa,” with 16 million views over the same period, and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” with 21.2 million views.
The true story behind the Abyss
Yes, The Abyss is based on fact. Although the events of this film are fictional, the town of Kiruna is very real and is sinking due to an iron ore mine. In May 2020, an earthquake occurred due to mining excavation, and this event served as the inspiration for the film.
There were 13 miners working at the time of the earthquake, but fortunately no one was injured. However, due to mining construction, the town is in danger of sinking into a huge crater.
The mine is the world’s largest underground ore quarry and has been in operation since 1900. Since 2004, Kiruna townspeople have been working to slowly demolish and rebuild the town, 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from its current location. The relocation project is currently scheduled to be completed by 2035.
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The town, located 195 miles above the Arctic Circle, is being relocated one building at a time to keep its population of 18,000 safe from danger.
The Abyss is available to watch on Netflix now.
Check out the trailer for The Abyss.
