Horizon Line: A Journey Beyond the Clouds
Horizon Line, a survival thriller film from 2020, is captivating as high-stakes adventure narrative, but below the surface, this film is a few more cinematic choices, a few more real-life connections and a few more meanings associated with the narrative. Horizon Line employs the survival genre motifs to enhance the emotional narrative.
Sky as a Borderline Psychotic
For the characters in Horizon Line, survival is not the only challenge. Every character faces a psychological challenge. The ocean represents the characters’ psychological challenges, and emotional and existential predictability of life. For Sara and Jackson, it’s not just storms at sea. They are emotional and relational storms, and in particular, the challenges of intimacy sequelae, and the challenge of reconciliation.
Allison Williams: From Horror to High Horror
Allison Williams, famous for her role in Get Out, played the role of Sara. Sara is a character of high-stakes and life or death situations. Williams’ character also reflects real life challenges, including the challenges of the transition from television and film. Adaptability and resilience are also in the foreground of the film.
Inner Strength Personified: Alexander Dreymon
Alexander Dreymon, starring in The Last Kingdom, personifies Jackson as a character that balances both weakness and strength. His dedication to the role fully embodies the drive needed to depict a character leaving behind a troubled past, paralleling Jackson’s own tale of redemption and self-discovery.
Behind the Curtains
Horizon Line Director, Mikael Marcimain, had to overcome his personal set of obstacles to make his vision a reality. Shooting in Mauritius, while a beautiful, tropical, and exotic location, made an already complex logistical arrangement, even more complex. The filmmakers were also ‘brave’ in using practical effects rather than computer graphics. This certainly helped immerse the audience in the terrifying flight. The choice of casting Williams and Dreymon was crucial. The narrative was supported to a large extent due to the chemistry and realism that the two were able to create as a couple.
Symbolism in the Sky
Horizon Line, the film’s title, holds poignant meaning. The horizon evokes emotion as it signifies hope, purpose, and the future. The horizon serves as a motivating line and reminder of the characters and their will to survive. It is the sky, the characters most fickle and dynamic of all personal belongings, that serves as the reminder of the plan.
Audience Reception: A Mixed Altitude
Once released, Horizon Line received mixed reactions. Some listeners valued the film’s suspense and performances of the main actors, while others believed the story was thin and lacked depth. The film’s pacing, structure, and overall development of the characters sparked divided criticism and discourse.
Real-Life Parallels: Navigating Personal Storms
Every character’s film battle mirrors the types of struggles many people face. The issues of forgiveness and trust resonate universally, which is why the film works. It reminds the audience of the value of confronting difficult periods and attests to the power of togetherness during turbulent times.
Cinematic Choices: Elevating the Narrative
The direction of Marcimain shifts focus to the situation’s isolation and tension. The confined space of the plane reinforces the characters’ internal emotional state, while the sequence of the storm is designed to portray feelings of hopelessness. The audience’s emotional state is further manipulated by the sound, where each character’s choice is weighed.
Legacy of Horizon Line
Although Horizon Line has not achieved blockbuster status, the exploration of human survival has profoundly impacted the film industry. It combines personal exploration and high-stakes adventure, providing a unique film experience that encourages viewers to consider their own journeys and the horizons they pursue.