Brace yourselves, because in the bone-chilling Fortitude, the deathly cold is the least of the danger that lies within. There are also psychotic polar bears and possessed townsfolk, but that's not even the half of it.
When the eponymous fictional Arctic Circle outpost is rocked by its first ever murder, a series of strange, terrifying events follows and the casualties rise. Is it environmental? Is it supernatural? Is there some devilish force at work?
Lovers of genre-bending, twisted Nordic noir will be gripped. Here are a few more reasons why you’ll want to visit the bizarre world of Fortitude.
It’s freaky as hell
Stranger things: this Fortitude resident ain’t suffering from chicken pox. Source: SBS
It’s a tense mystery, claustrophobic thriller, environmental horror ( in a spoiler-heavy Radio Times story as a "horrible, grotesque, distorted version of the natural process" by writer and series creator Simon Donald) with supernatural undertones, all wrapped up in a Nordic noir basket of crazy. What’s more, the juggling of genres, alongside the build-up of the show’s intricate mythology, works.
Beneath the quaint mix of characters and politicking of a close-knit Arctic village, there’s an eeriness, malevolence and paranoia lurking. Soon, a feverish psychopathy takes over. There’s atmospheric tension to burn and some unsettling twists on horror tropes – a very creepy kid, marauding insects, rapacious beasts, etc. The gore is indeed grisly, but like all good horror, it’s judicious.
And that’s just season one. In season two, things get even weirder.
The premise is based on real science
Entrails anyone? Fortitude’s resident scientists study the fallout of the environmental chaos. Source: SBS
“Polar bears are indeed showing cannibalistic behaviour and it’s not immediately obvious that it’s because they’re simply so hungry they have no other choice,” producer Patrick Spence The Telegraph. “There’s a myth that the reindeer are miscarrying because there’s a devil in the herd. We loved that. One of [the] things that does get described early on in Fortitude is the wonderful idea that there’s a devil out there. Is that what we’re dealing with? Is there some sort of otherness at play?”
The killer cast
The stellar cast includes (from left) Sofie Gråbøl, Christopher Eccleston, Michael Gambon and Stanley Tucci. Source: SBS
Dennis Quaid, Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) and Parminda Nagra (Bend It Like Beckham) join the cast in season two.
But don’t get too attached to the characters. Fortitude employs the “Game of Thrones effect”, where anyone, no matter how vital to the story they may seem, can be offed at any time.
“Nobody is safe simply because they’re a famous actor or because they’re playing a likeable character,” creator Simon Donald (Low Winter Sun).
The unique setting
Fortitude’s constabulary investigate crimes in the breathtaking surrounds. Source: SBS
Written in to the series are many of the rules that these isolated communities must follow. Residents must carry a gun to protect against polar bears (which can considerably outnumber them), employment is mandatory as there’s no welfare system, residents abusing drugs and alcohol are kicked out of the community, and you can’t give birth or die there.
And it goes without saying that the scenery is breathtaking and makes you want to visit – although you may think twice when you see what goes on in this show.
It’s Nordic noir without the subtitles
Subtitles not included. Source: SBS
There’s a why Fortitude’s dialogue is in English. In the communities it’s based on, English is the predominant language because of the Western academic population, and visiting tourists and scientists.
It’s the definition of binge-worthy
Each episode of 'Fortitude' leaves you wanting more. Source: SBS
You’ve got 26 thrilling episodes to soak up, so get cracking!
More SBS Crime Time dramas:
Sun, surf and sex – ‘Farang’ is not your typical Scandi thriller
