Not your average disaster flick—a slow-burn, scientific thriller rooted deeply in Iceland’s volatile reality.
The Fires opens with a vivid flashback—or perhaps a dream—where a young Anna lies on the earth alongside her father, listening closely to the ground’s inner activity. Suddenly, the terrain breaks open, and an adult Anna (Vigdís Hrefna Pálsdóttir) is jarred awake in the present day by the all-too-real rumblings of an earthquake.
For residents of Iceland, seismic activity is a familiar part of life. Yet the psychological toll depicted here mirrors the real-life buildup to the Reykjanes Peninsula eruptions from 2021 onwards, where relentless swarms of tremors left locals suffering from sleep deprivation and a near-constant sense of motion sickness.
Intriguingly, the film is adapted from Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir’s bestselling novel, which was published shortly before these real-world eruptions began with the film being show later in 2024. The timing was so uncanny that the author had to include a disclaimer stating the story was not a direct prediction—despite having consulted geologists and volcanologists extensively during her research.
Science over Spectacle
When a sub-aquatic eruption occurs off the coast, a specialized team is dispatched to assess the potential catastrophe. Among them is photojournalist Thomas Adler, played by Danish actor Pilou Asbæk, who forms a key axis with Anna. Because their interactions take place in English, it shifts the dynamic noticeably from the rest of the dialogue, adding an extra layer of distance and intrigue to their scenes together.
The buildup to the impending chaos is slow, methodical, and rooted firmly in science. This is not your typical Hollywood disaster movie filled with sensationalized tropes; it respects the reality of volcanology. Simultaneously, Anna has her own personal tremors brewing to a climax: as she embarks on a quiet affair with Thomas while struggling to steady her relationship with her husband back home.
As the seismic activity escalates, so do the personal tensions. It all culminates in an intense final thirty minutes when Iceland is hit by the exact scenario it feared most. These are no longer the slow-moving “tourist eruptions” locals have grown accustomed to—a massive vent opens, and all hell breaks loose.
Yet it remains crucial to note that The Fires is not purely a disaster flick. While the finale delivers scale and chaos, the heart of the film rests on Anna’s shoulders. As a lead volcanologist, she carries the immense weight of an entire nation, knowing a single miscalculation could lead to mass panic or loss of life.
The Cast
Vigdís Hrefna Pálsdóttir is fantastic as Anna, delivering a deeply engaging performance as she watches her world—both professional and personal—quite literally fall apart around her.
It is also refreshing to see Pilou Asbæk step away from the antagonist roles he is so often handed. When allowed to step outside the villain archetype (as seen in A War, Secrets, or The Investigation), his true strengths shine through. Here, he is quiet, reflective, and brooding, subtly conveying a growing affection toward Anna without overplaying it.
Supporting them is a strong lineup of recognizable Icelandic talent, including Jói Jóhannsson as Anna’s loyal husband, and Sigurður Sigurjónsson, who ground the emergency response teams with believable gravitas.
The Director
Director Ugla Hauksdóttir will be a familiar name to readers who caught Alien: Earth last year, where she helmed two well-received episodes. Interestingly, that sci-fi influence feels subtly present here: the aesthetics of Anna’s monitoring office—with its deep blue screens and sharp red emergency lighting—carry a distinctly atmospheric, almost otherworldly look.
The Fires marks her feature directorial debut, and she handles the material with steady confidence, seamlessly translating the tension of Björnsdóttir’s prose onto the big screen.
Location, Location, Location
Unsurprisingly, the Icelandic landscape acts as its own central character. Anyone who has traveled to the island—or has it on their bucket list—will admire the stark, sweeping beauty of the terrain, shot primarily around the dramatic landscapes of the southwest coast.
The cinematography pulls you directly into the environment, capturing both the beauty and the underlying threat of the landscape. It leaves you feeling every vibration beneath the surface right alongside the characters, making The Fires a tense, grounded thriller well worth the watch.
The Fires is yours to own from July 27. Distributed by Signature Entertainment
