Streaming Now: Society of the Snow

Recently added to Netflix is an extraordinary true-life drama titled “Society of The Snow.”

Set in the early 1970s, the storyline follows a Uruguayan rugby team on their journey to a match in Chile. Some members brought along friends or family, while others remained behind. Excitement filled the air as the group boarded their small chartered plane. However, as they traversed the Andes, the plane unexpectedly descended too early, colliding with a mountain and shattering into pieces. Miraculously, a portion of the 45 passengers survived, but they found themselves in perilous conditions.

It’s based on the real-life crash of Flight 571 and the survivors’ accounts of their harrowing days spent in the Andes Mountains. On Oct. 13, 1972, a rugby team from Montevideo, Uruguay, boarded Flight 571 to Santiago, Chile, for a match. But on their way through the snowy Andes — just short of their destination — the plane crashed deep in the barren mountains, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees below zero. Twelve people died on impact and several more were gravely injured. Only 29 lived to see a second day in the Andes. 

Directed by J.A. Bayona, a recipient of the Gaudí and Goya awards for films like “The Impossible” and “A Monster Calls,” “Society of the Snow” recounts the nearly implausible true story of the 1972 Andes flight disaster. This film marks Bayona’s return to Spanish cinema since 2007’s “The Orphanage” and served as the closing feature at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. Be forewarned, the tale is not for the faint of heart, as it includes graphic depictions of the accident and the extreme measures the survivors took to stave off starvation, including resorting to cannibalism.

In preparation for the film, Bayona and his creative team engaged in extensive conversations with the families of the victims and the survivors. Bayona emphasized the crucial role played by the survivors in shaping the film, stating, “Their enthusiasm fueled the film and my perspective.” Flight 571 survivor Roberto Canessa, now a pediatric cardiologist, shared insights into the actor’s preparations, revealing how the actors connected with the real-life individuals they portrayed.

Critics and viewers alike unanimously praise the drama as a compelling and worthwhile watch.

Stream it now, only on Netflix.