A tense psychological horror film set in the 19th century, it follows a widow who faces an impossible choice when a ship sinks near her isolated fishing outpost during a harsh winter. As provisions dwindle, Eva and her community must decide whether to risk everything to rescue the survivors.

A tense psychological horror film set in the 19th century, it follows a widow who faces an impossible choice when a ship sinks near her isolated fishing outpost during a harsh winter. As provisions dwindle, Eva and her community must decide whether to risk everything to rescue the survivors.

Does The Damned have end credit scenes?

No!

The Damned does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Damned

Explore the complete cast of The Damned, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Damned

See how The Damned is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Damned stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

70

The Damned delivers a compelling visual experience grounded in its stark Icelandic setting and thoughtful mood, though its pacing and narrative reveal may not resonate with all viewers. Across reviews, the film’s production design and cinematography earn consistent praise for their immersive qualities, while the storyline draws criticism for its predictable climax and leisurely tempo. Character portrayals are generally regarded as solid but lacking in ensemble depth. Sensory elements create a persistent sense of dread, yet repeat viewings may lose some of the initial impact. Overall, the film offers a striking but uneven horror drama.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Damned

80
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and production design receive strong acclaim for their meticulous period detail and immersive environment. Reviewers highlight the stark Icelandic landscape and calibrated visual framing that reinforce the film’s tone, along with editing choices that emphasize suspense. Some note a few repetitive imagery beats, but overall the technical execution establishes a memorable aesthetic. The craft consistently supports the film’s atmospheric ambitions.

70
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, the central performance stands out as a nuanced portrayal of resilience and internal conflict. Observers describe the lead’s depth as anchoring the narrative, even as supporting figures feel less developed. Emotional resonance emerges in moments of psychological tension, though ensemble chemistry can feel uneven. Ultimately, the film offers compelling individual characterization but stops short of broader relational complexity.

60
Echo Score

Story & Flow

Regarding story and flow, the narrative engages with a deliberate, measured pace that underscores its psychological themes. Critics appreciate the thematic ambition but cite instances of predictable twists and intermittent downtime that slow momentum. While the premise of moral survival in isolation holds promise, some find the structure uneven, with repetition diminishing tension. The plot sustains interest but occasionally sags under its own weight.

85
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of sensory experience, the film excels at cultivating an unnerving atmosphere through its soundscape and visual textures. The score and ambient design heighten the sense of isolation, while stark lighting contrasts and deliberate sound cues amplify suspense. The meticulous fusion of chilling audio elements with a haunting color palette consistently intensifies mood. As a sensory journey, it delivers sustained, immersive dread.

65
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

With respect to rewatch factor, the movie’s atmospheric strengths provide initial intrigue, but its repetitive visual motifs and slow pacing may lessen appeal upon subsequent viewings. While the thematic layers offer points for reflection, the predictable narrative beats can undercut fresh engagement. Enthusiasts of mood-driven horror may revisit for its craftsmanship, but those seeking narrative surprises may find limited lasting incentive.

Metacritic

64

Metascore

6.1

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

5.7 /10

IMDb Rating

Movie Insider

/5

Take the Ultimate The Damned Movie Quiz

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The Damned (2025) Quiz: Test your knowledge of the 2025 Arctic survival thriller "The Damned", covering its characters, plot twists, and the Norse folklore that haunts the crew.

What is the name of the widow who runs the winter outpost?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Damned

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Read the complete plot summary of The Damned, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Eva, a young widow living in the 19th century, finds herself isolated in a remote Arctic bay, where she oversees a small winter fishing outpost inherited after her husband, Magnus, lost his life in a shipwreck on the jagged rocks known as the Teeth. The outpost is cut off from civilization, requiring her and her crew to endure the brutal cold and sparse resources during the long polar winter. Her crew includes helmsman Ragnar, played by Siobhan Finneran, alongside other sailors such as Daníel, Hákon, Jónas, Skúli, and Aron, portrayed by Joe Cole, Turlough Convery, and others.

As supplies begin to run dangerously low, the crew resorts to desperate measures—at one point, even resorting to eating bait to survive. Their bleak situation is worsened when they witness a shipwreck at the Teeth, a tragic event that leaves some survivors stranded amidst the treacherous rocks. Despite their limited resources and growing dangers, Eva is reluctant but ultimately decides not to rescue the survivors, leaving them to their fates.

The situation takes a turn when a barrel of salt pork from the wreck washes ashore, prompting Eva to lead a daring, risky night-time expedition to search for more supplies. During this hazardous hunt, the crew recovers a crate containing essential provisions like lamp oil and brandy, but they are quickly confronted by the desperate survivors clinging to the rocks. Chaos erupts as these survivors attempt to board the crew’s small boat, leading to violent clashes in which Lewis Gribben’s character Daníel kills one of them. Ragnar’s fate takes a tragic turn when he is swept into the freezing sea, forcing the crew to make the heartbreaking decision to abandon him and escape with their limited supplies.

The following day, the crew’s nightmare deepens as bodies from the wreck begin washing ashore. Strange phenomena come into play: one corpse is discovered with live eels inside its stomach, hinting at unnatural forces at work. Helga, the cautious cook played by Siobhan Finneran, becomes increasingly wary of local folklore about the draugr—reanimated, revenant creatures from Norse myth known for embodying hatred and vengeance. She painstakingly takes precautions to prevent what she fears might come alive from the burial site nearby. Meanwhile, Eva experiences vivid dreams and visions of a dark, menacing figure, intensifying her sense of unease.

As the crew tries to maintain hope with a successful catch, disaster strikes again when their fish stores mysteriously vanish overnight. Helga then disappears, and her trail leads the crew to the burial site, where they examine coffins—only to find one empty, fueling paranoia and paranoia-driven delusions among the crew members. Tensions burst into violence: Hákon attempts to strangle Daníel but is ultimately killed by Aron, and later, Daníel attacks Jónas before taking his own life by slitting his throat, engulfing the crew in chaos and despair.

In their frantic efforts to confront the growing supernatural menace, Eva leads a dangerous quest to face the draugr. Tragically, Skúli falls to his death at the fog-covered cemetery, and Eva discovers Helga’s frozen corpse. The draugr ambushes her when she returns to the cabin, but she manages to shoot and burn the creature, and then sets the cabin ablaze, believing she has finally eliminated the threat.

In a disturbing revelation, it’s disclosed that Eva had killed a desperate shipwreck survivor who, speaking in Basque, had offered her a gold pocket watch in exchange for her boat. Unable to understand his language, Eva shot him and set him on fire, adding a layer of tragic guilt to her ordeal.

Throughout her harrowing journey, Eva confronts the terrifying power of the supernatural, human desperation, and guilt, battling to survive amid the icy wasteland’s deadly mysteries. Her story weaves themes of isolation, folklore, and madness, creating a haunting tale of survival and inner demons in the unforgiving Arctic environment.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Damned

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Official Trailer

The Damned Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


folk horrorfishing station1800s19th centurymistlamp oilshadowy figuredraugreelwooden coffinsealbrandydream

The Damned Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Damned across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


ארור 저주 Kẻ Bị Nguyền Rủa Прокляті 冰河的诅咒 Przeklęci Os Malditos 詛咒 نفرین شده Zatracení Проклятые Lanetliler Прокълнатите הארורים อาถรรพ์คำสาปพายุหิมะ L'inverno più duro Az elátkozottak

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About The Damned

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