The Dyatlov Pass Incident

The Dyatlov Pass Incident, also known as Devil's pass, is a 2013 film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Holly Goss, Matt Stokoe, and Luke Albright. The film is an intriguing blend of horror, thriller, and considerable amounts of mystery, based on the infamous, unsolved real-life Dyatlov Pass incident of 1959 in the Ural Mountains.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident commences in 1959 Soviet Russia with a group of nine skilled hikers from the Ural Polytechnical Institute who embarked on a journey to Otorten, a mountain in the northern Urals. However, their trip ended in a horrifying and inexplicable tragedy where all the hikers were found dead. Russian investigators concluded that “an unknown compelling force” caused their deaths, further contributing to the shroud of mystery surrounding this incident.

Fast forward to the present, the film pivots to follow a group of five ambitious young American filmmakers who set out to reveal the truths behind the mysterious Dyatlov Pass Incident. The group is led by Holly King, portrayed by Holly Goss. An aspiring director, Holly is accompanied by her friend Jenson Day (Matt Stokoe), sound technician Denise (Gemma Atkinson), cameraman JP Hauser (Luke Albright), and guide and mountaineer Andy Thatcher (Ryan Hawley).

Their expedition leads them to the same path taken by the ill-fated Russian hikers so many years before. In addition to bringing the horror and dread associated with the original incident to light in breathtakingly terrifying scenes, Renny Harlin masterfully uses the contemporary context to provide an alternative perspective and interpretation of the mysterious happenings, appealing to a wider audience.

As the determined adventurers trek through the treacherous Ural Mountains and get closer to their destination, they start experiencing strange occurrences. From eerie sounds, footsteps in the snow, and inexplicable phenomena, to disturbing mental hallucinations and unanticipated survival struggles, the horrifying realities of their quest become evident.

The film employs a documentary-style narrative, with the story being primarily told through the lens of the crew's handheld cameras. This found-footage technique intensifies the rawness, realism, and personally intrusive framing of the slowly unfolding mysteries, enhancing the overall suspense and making it even more engrossing.

As a psychological horror film, The Dyatlov Pass Incident toys with the audience's perception of reality. It is carefully crafted to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats, uneasily anticipating the chilling events that may unfold. The film delves into various realms of horror, from the supernatural to psychological, forcing viewers to question what they think they know.

The movie also incorporates several elements of sci-fi and delves into territory previously unexplored in a horror setting. Cryptic drawings, bizarre formations in the snow, radiation detection, and strained radio communications act as catalysts to the unfolding horror and intensifies the suspense.

The film features exceptional performances from its young cast. Holly Goss embodies the ambitious and curious Holly King with poise and competency, displaying the essence of an ambitious leader desperate for answers. Matt Stokoe likewise impresses as the caring Jenson, while Gemma Atkinson, Luke Albright, and Ryan Hawley each manage to generate a distinct presence in their respective roles.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident skillfully takes a real-life, unsolved mystery, and converts it into an engaging and thrilling horror film. It compels the audiences to unravel the unknown alongside the characters, keeping them gripped and invested throughout. It's a chilling take on a cold case that continues to baffle the world over half a century later, making it a must-watch for fans of the horror and thriller genres.