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Adventure thriller

Society of the Snow (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Society of the Snow (2023) movie poster

Society of the Snow is a 2023 adventure thriller directed by J.A. Bayona, starring Agustín Pardella as Fernando 'Nando' Parrado, Blas Polidori and Tomas Wolf. It is based on Society of the Snow by Pablo Vierci and Jennie Erikson. It runs 2 hours 24 minutes and earned $1,281 worldwide on a $65.5 million budget. It won 3 awards from 10 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$1.3K
awards won
3
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Society of the Snow (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 24m (144 min)
Director
J.A. Bayona
Original language
Spanish
Budget
$65.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Society of the Snow About?

The premise of Society of the Snow without spoilers, adapted from Society of the Snow by Pablo Vierci and Jennie Erikson. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashes in the remote Andes mountains, a small group of survivors finds themselves stranded in a harsh and unforgiving environment. Faced with extreme weather conditions and dwindling resources, they must fight for survival, testing the limits of their physical and mental strength as they attempt to find a way home.

Society of the Snow Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • snow
  • survival
  • airplane crash
  • 1970s
  • airplane accident
  • andes mountains
  • inspired by a true story
  • locker room
  • male nudity
  • disaster
  • crash
  • rugby
+38 more
  • mountain
  • corpse
  • desperation
  • latin america
  • south america
  • disaster drama
  • photograph
  • avalanche
  • andes plane crash
  • based on true story
  • cannibalism
  • male full frontal nudity
  • shower room
  • air force
  • airplane
  • pilot
  • stranded
  • heroism
  • coach
  • rescue
  • mountain climbing
  • prayer
  • escape
  • blood
  • tragedy
  • close up of a penis
  • male frontal nudity
  • urination
  • male pubic hair
  • brief male full frontal nudity
  • brief male frontal nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • rugby union
  • helicopter
  • mountain adventure
  • survival adventure
  • snow adventure
  • photographer
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Cast & crew

Society of the Snow Cast & Characters

Agustín Pardella leads the cast as Fernando 'Nando' Parrado, with Blas Polidori as Gustavo 'Coco' Nicolich and Tomas Wolf as Gustavo Zerbino. Directed by J.A. Bayona; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Society of the Snow

· 16 more
From the director

More from J.A. Bayona

More films directed by J.A. Bayona: The Spongeman and Mis vacaciones.

Full filmography
Ratings

Society of the Snow Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Society of the Snow 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

77 /100

Society of the Snow Echo Score Breakdown

Society of the Snow excels as a visceral survival drama with strong tension-building and immersive direction. Reviewers frequently highlighted Bayona’s ability to blend philosophical depth with relentless suspense, even as the familiar true-story framework imposes occasional pacing lulls. Cinematic elements such as stark cinematography and a poignant score enhance the emotional impact, though the film’s extended runtime may test some viewers’ patience. Overall, it delivers a moving and cohesive portrayal of endurance and hope.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s direction and cinematography stand out for their immersive realism. Bayona orchestrates the plane crash sequence with technical precision, and the stark mountain vistas are captured in a restrained yet impactful visual style. Occasional lapses in makeup detail and production design realism interrupt the immersion. Overall, the film presents a compelling visual framework that heightens the narrative’s emotional stakes.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the ensemble delivers consistently empathetic performances. The survivors’ interpersonal dynamics are portrayed with palpable compassion, and key scenes carry genuine emotional weight informed by a philosophical screenplay. Some viewers noted limited character depth due to a large cast and moments of detachment. In sum, the film’s emotional resonance is strong, even if individual character arcs sometimes feel understated.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative maintains a gripping descent into survival against the Andes’ unforgiving terrain. Reviewers praised the film’s capacity to sustain tension despite a largely familiar true-story structure, and philosophical elements enrich the thematic core. Criticism arises from the extended runtime and episodic pacing that can feel repetitive in its depiction of adversity. Overall, the plot delivers consistent engagement, tempered by occasional pacing lulls.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film offers a powerful fusion of sound design and visual texture. Michael Giacchino’s score underscores moments of dread, while immersive sound effects and precise editing heighten the visceral impact. The special effects and cinematography vividly depict the crash and harsh environment, though rare makeup inconsistencies slightly undercut the realism. Overall, the sensory elements coalesce into an affecting and intense viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Society of the Snow provides a compelling first viewing but may not invite frequent revisitations. Its emotional and sensory intensity leaves a strong initial impression, yet the slow pacing and graphic depictions can prove demanding upon subsequent viewings. The familiarity of the true-story material also limits its novelty over time. Overall, the film is best appreciated as a powerful standalone experience rather than a repeat staple.

Plot

Society of the Snow Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Society of the Snow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Society of the Snow unfolds its harrowing tale in Montevideo, Uruguay, during the tumultuous month of October 1972. The story begins on an energetic note as the Old Christians Club rugby team engages in a fierce match against their rivals. The youthful player Roberto (Matías Recalt) captures the ball, showcasing his determination to score, ignoring the urging calls from the captain and seasoned players. Unfortunately, this display of heroism leads to nothing as he is tackled by the opposition, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of the Old Christians Club after an abysmal loss in the match. Nevertheless, the locker room buzzes with enthusiasm and excitement, as the team looks forward to their exhilarating journey to Chile for an upcoming match, viewing the trip as an adventure rather than just a game.

Full summary

The whole story of Society of the Snow, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Society of the Snow Box Office & Budget

Society of the Snow grossed $1,281 worldwide on a $65.5 million budget.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.3K

International
$1.3K
Budget
$65.5M
Awards

Society of the Snow Awards & Nominations

Society of the Snow won 3 awards from 10 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Premios Feroz 2024, with 2 wins from 4 nominations.

3 wins10 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Society of the Snow Trailers & Videos

15 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 7 featurettes and 6 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 15 videos
Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Official Teaser #2
  • Featurette Q&A | Cast & Crew | Film Independent Presents
  • Featurette 'Society of the Snow' with filmmakers | Academy Conversations
  • Featurette The Making of Society of the Snow | The #DolbyInstitute Podcast
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Society of the Snow?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which month and year does Society of the Snow begin?

Details

Society of the Snow Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Общество снега” and “Śnieżne Bractwo”.

Also known as
  • Общество снега
  • Śnieżne Bractwo
  • 绝境盟约
  • 絕地盟約
  • Qar Qardaşlığı
  • Ձյան Հասարակությունը
  • 안데스 설원의 생존자들
  • La società della neve
  • Le Cercle des neiges
  • Die Schneegesellschaft
  • Снігова спільнота
  • A Sociedade da Neve
+23 more
  • หิมะโหด คนทรหด
  • مجتمع الثلج
  • Snježno bratstvo
  • Sněžné bratrstvo
  • Snefællesskabet
  • Lumen yhdistämät
  • Η Κοινωνία του Χιονιού
  • אחוות השלג
  • सोसायटी ऑफ़ द स्नो
  • A hó társadalma
  • 雪山の絆
  • Snøsamfunnet
  • Societatea zăpezii
  • Снежное братство
  • Snöns brödraskap
  • Kar Kardeşliği
  • Cộng đồng trong tuyết
  • La societat de la neu
  • Обществото на снега
  • Снежно друштво
  • انجمن برف
  • Snežna bratovščina
  • Sniego draugija

Seen Society of the Snow?

FAQ

Society of the Snow FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Society of the Snow, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Society of the Snow?

Society of the Snow runs 2 hours 24 minutes (144 minutes).

When was Society of the Snow released?

Society of the Snow was released on December 22, 2023.

Who directed Society of the Snow?

Society of the Snow was directed by J.A. Bayona.

More films by J.A. Bayona

Who is in the cast of Society of the Snow?

Society of the Snow stars Agustín Pardella as Fernando 'Nando' Parrado, Blas Polidori as Gustavo 'Coco' Nicolich and Tomas Wolf as Gustavo Zerbino, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Society of the Snow make at the box office?

Society of the Snow grossed $1,281 worldwide on a budget of $65.5 million.

How is Society of the Snow rated?

Society of the Snow has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.

Is Society of the Snow based on a book?

Yes. Society of the Snow is adapted from Society of the Snow by Pablo Vierci and Jennie Erikson.

What awards did Society of the Snow win?

Society of the Snow won 3 awards from 10 nominations, including Best Director at the Premios Feroz 2024.

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