Netflix’s Society of the Snow Explores a Horrifying True Story

By Louie Fecou
Published: December 7, 2023 (Last updated: September 10, 2024)
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Is Society of the Snow based on a true story?
Society of the Snow Key Art | Image via Netflix

Society of the Snow is a Netflix movie that covers a terrifying story of survival, based on the premise of a plane crash and the struggle to survive in a harsh, unforgiving wilderness. It is a fear of everyone who has ever stepped onto a plane, and what makes this particular film so haunting is the fact that it is based on a true story. Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona retells the harrowing account of a plane that crashed into a snowy mountain range, leaving the passengers who survived to fight for their lives.

Is Society of the Snow based on a true story?

Society of the Snow has its roots in a horrific true story that occurred back in 1972, with Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashing in the Andes Mountains, with forty-five passengers on board, including the Old Christians Rugby Union Team.

On October 13th, 1972, Flight 571 crashed into the mountain range, leaving twenty-nine passengers alive, and thrown into a battle to survive. The film went to great lengths to stay as authentic as possible, speaking with some of the survivors of the experience and filming at the actual site of the crash.

Is Society of the Snow a remake?

If you are getting remake vibes, it may be because of the 1993 movie Alive, which also covered the story. Alive is based on Piers Paul Read’s 1974 book, Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivorsbut Society of the Snow takes its cues from a 2008 book, La Sociedad de la Nieveand goes to great lengths to present an adaptation that is as authentic as possible.

The TV series Yellowjackets also uses the crash as an inspiration for their show, but Society of the Snow makes every attempt to stay true to the horrible event.

When will Society of the Snow be released?

Society of the Snow is set to have a limited theatrical release on December 15th, 2023, but as far as Netflix is concerned, it will drop on the streaming platform on January 4th, 2024.

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Who wrote the book Society of the Snow?

The book was written by author and journalist Pablo Vierci, who was actually in the same class at college as some of the survivors of the crash. The book was written in 2008 and was extensively researched by the author making it a harrowing and authentic telling of the events that happened.

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Pablo would go on to co-write I Had To Survive: How a Plane Crash in the Andes Inspired My Calling to Save Lives. The book was co-written with survivor Roberto Canessa.

Who directed Society of the Snow?

The film was directed by J.A. Bayona, a Spanish filmmaker who you might recognize from the chilling ghost story The Orphanage, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Bayona became interested in Vierci’s book while researching for his 2012 film The Impossible. He would buy the rights for the book when he wrapped filming The Impossible and would go on to research the events, resulting in him finding the survivors of the crash and recording their experience. The survivors of the crash also met with the actors in the film, adding to the authentic feel of the production.


RELATED: Society of the Snow vs. Alive – Is it the same story?

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