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That's how 11-year-old Julia tries to reassure her father, Kristian (Kristoffer Joner), that everything's going to be alright. Still traumatized by the events of the disastrous tsunami that he survived three years ago in The Wave, Kristian has been unable to put back the pieces of his life. He's estranged from his family and living in seclusion in Geiranger, while his family lives in Oslo. But turns out that disasters do "follow" him as he realizes that a major quake might hit the city.
The Wave was a pleasant surprise when I saw it back in 2020. The way that the film managed to build dread and tension around this upcoming tsunami was rather good, and the family drama that was in the middle was well portrayed by the cast, especially Joner, who does a solid job transmitting both the desperation and bravery of the "unlikely hero". The Quake is not so different in how its built, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.
The best thing the film does is to put the focus on the characters and let us feel the consequences. Once again, Kristoffer Joner does a good job conveying the trauma and the guilt of his character, but also the determination that comes after to fix things. This is no The Rock or Stallone, but Joner makes you believe he's the person to stick to. His relationship with his family feels real, and the addition of Marit (Kathrine Thorborg Johansen), the daughter of a recently deceased colleague, is welcome.
Like with The Wave, the build up to the actual earthquake is effective. Everything that is happening keeps you on edge. My main complaint is that the film feels like it lacks a third act. There are some really thrilling and terrifying setpieces once the earthquake hits, especially as Kristian is trying to save Julia, who's on the top floor of a hotel. But once that is resolved, which felt like a middle act, the film concludes. I think that there could've been one or two more setpieces to properly round things up.
Despite that, The Quake succeeds on the strength of its cast, a competent story behind the disaster, and skilled direction. Kristian and his family are easy to root for, and the actual "disaster" moments work. But it is the family dynamics which separates this from other similar films. It's the kind of thing you want to see a bit more of, so let's see how many other disasters "follow" them.
Grade:
THE QUAKE
(2018, Andersen)
(2018, Andersen)
"I can't even imagine the nightmare you have been through. But that doesn't mean disasters follow you."
That's how 11-year-old Julia tries to reassure her father, Kristian (Kristoffer Joner), that everything's going to be alright. Still traumatized by the events of the disastrous tsunami that he survived three years ago in The Wave, Kristian has been unable to put back the pieces of his life. He's estranged from his family and living in seclusion in Geiranger, while his family lives in Oslo. But turns out that disasters do "follow" him as he realizes that a major quake might hit the city.
The Wave was a pleasant surprise when I saw it back in 2020. The way that the film managed to build dread and tension around this upcoming tsunami was rather good, and the family drama that was in the middle was well portrayed by the cast, especially Joner, who does a solid job transmitting both the desperation and bravery of the "unlikely hero". The Quake is not so different in how its built, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.
The best thing the film does is to put the focus on the characters and let us feel the consequences. Once again, Kristoffer Joner does a good job conveying the trauma and the guilt of his character, but also the determination that comes after to fix things. This is no The Rock or Stallone, but Joner makes you believe he's the person to stick to. His relationship with his family feels real, and the addition of Marit (Kathrine Thorborg Johansen), the daughter of a recently deceased colleague, is welcome.
Like with The Wave, the build up to the actual earthquake is effective. Everything that is happening keeps you on edge. My main complaint is that the film feels like it lacks a third act. There are some really thrilling and terrifying setpieces once the earthquake hits, especially as Kristian is trying to save Julia, who's on the top floor of a hotel. But once that is resolved, which felt like a middle act, the film concludes. I think that there could've been one or two more setpieces to properly round things up.
Despite that, The Quake succeeds on the strength of its cast, a competent story behind the disaster, and skilled direction. Kristian and his family are easy to root for, and the actual "disaster" moments work. But it is the family dynamics which separates this from other similar films. It's the kind of thing you want to see a bit more of, so let's see how many other disasters "follow" them.
Grade: