Against the Ice is a 2022 historical survival drama directed by and released as a Netflix Original Film . Co-written by and starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau , the film is a gritty adaptation of the memoir Two Against the Ice by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen .
Based on the true story of Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen, Against the Ice (2022) follows his desperate 1910 expedition to recover lost maps that would prove Denmark's claim to Greenland. After being abandoned by their ship, Mikkelsen (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who also co-wrote the film) and his inexperienced crewmate, Iver Iversen (Joe Cole), must survive the brutal Arctic wilderness for over two years. The film is a stark, slow-burning drama about loyalty, madness, and the thin line between obsession and survival. While it doesn't reinvent the survival genre, the stunning icy landscapes and raw performances make it a solid watch for fans of historical endurance stories.
isn't an explosive action movie. Instead, it’s a slow-burn character study that explores what happens to the human mind when stripped of everything but hope. It’s a story of friendship, obsession, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The movie also explores the human condition, delving into the psychological and emotional toll of pushing oneself to the limits of endurance. As the team faces numerous challenges, they begin to confront their own mortality, questioning the true cost of their pursuit.
Who it’s for
The "Peary Channel" was the central mystery; if it existed, the U.S. could claim Northern Greenland. Mikkelsen’s proof ensured Greenland remained under Danish sovereignty. Why Watch Against the Ice?