In 1959, nine Russian hikers went out into the Ural Mountains and never came back. Two weeks later they were found: all dead from hypothermia and scattered around camp after supposedly fleeing their tents. What exactly happened to these experienced hikers was never discovered, and the story, which became known as the Dyatlov Pass Incident’, became a legend.
Now, over fifty years since the ill-fated trip, five young filmmakers head out into the mountains to retrace Dyatlov’s steps and solve the mystery behind the myth.
The Blair Witch in snow’ would best describe Renny Harlin’s latest, and indeed the similarities are abundant, right down to the bossy but determined female protagonist. Tensions rise as the student filmmakers find eerie clues deeper into the mountains while conspiracy theories abound (is someone trying to mess with them or is a supernatural force at work) and the feeling of déjà vu grows stronger with each passing scene.
However, unlike Blair Witch, Dyatlov ignores the less-is-more rule and throws caution to the wind during its special-effects-laden final act, which is as nutty as most things Harlin has put his hand to.
It’s a shame, as despite the overwhelming amount of found-footage trash sweeping cinemas and DVD shelves, Dyatlov is really enjoyable up until the cat is let out of the bag. The cast are pretty good too; Holly Gross makes for a suitably annoying and plucky lead, while Gemma Atkinson delivers a subtle and likeable performance.
Overall Verdict: With a bit more restraint, this could have been a genuine, if not entirely original chiller.
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths