Greenland

Greenland is a gripping disaster thriller released in the United States on 18 December 2020. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling, the film features a talented cast, including Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roger Dale Floyd, Scott Glenn, David Denman, and Hope Davis.

The story centers around John Garrity, portrayed by Gerard Butler, who is a structural engineer living in Atlanta, Georgia. As a massive comet hurtles towards Earth, John and his estranged wife, Allison, along with their diabetic son, Nathan, must navigate chaos and danger while trying to secure a spot in an emergency shelter.

The film opens with the family eagerly awaiting a comet sighting, only to be thrown into chaos when John receives an alert from the Department of Homeland Security. His family is chosen for evacuation just as a comet fragment strikes Tampa, Florida, resulting in widespread devastation. With time running out, the Garritys embark on a perilous journey to reach safety at Robins Air Force Base.

Faced with heavy traffic, they abandon their vehicle and continue their trek on foot. Unfortunately, they leave Nathan’s insulin behind, leading to a series of desperate decisions. Just as they reach the base, Nathan’s medical condition disqualifies him from evacuation, forcing Allison to stay with him while John boards a plane. Realizing his family is still behind, he jumps off the plane to reunite with them.

The film intensifies as John faces a panicking crowd at the base and later discovers that his family has gone to Allison's father's home in Lexington, Kentucky. Their journey becomes increasingly treacherous as they encounter obstacles and dangerous individuals. John ultimately learns of an underground bunker in Greenland designed for survivors, leading the family to make a desperate final push for safety.

Despite the challenges, the family manages to board the last flight to Greenland, but a comet fragment strikes during their journey, causing a crash landing. As they reach the safety of the bunker, the film fast-forwards nine months, revealing the family's resilience as they emerge to find the world beginning to heal after the disaster.

With a production budget of $35 million, Greenland has grossed approximately $52.3 million worldwide. The film was well-received by audiences, praising its emotional depth and visual effects, though some critics pointed out its familiar plot elements. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes shows an approval rating of 77%, while Metacritic gives it a score of 64 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Critics have noted that the film focuses on human emotions amid chaos, contrasting it with other disaster films that lean more on special effects. Richard Roeper from the Chicago Sun-Times highlighted its emotional story, while Katie Walsh from the Los Angeles Times commented on its relatable depiction of disaster. On the flip side, some reviews criticized its predictable plot.

A sequel titled Greenland: Migration is already in the works, with filming expected to start in April 2024. This upcoming installment will continue the story of the Garrity family as they navigate a new frozen landscape in search of safety.

The film’s soundtrack was composed by David Buckley, adding to the intense atmosphere of the film. For those looking to experience this thrilling ride, Greenland is available for streaming on platforms like HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video.