In Alaska

Across the frozen Arctic tundra, an unlikely and misunderstood vandal is doggedly pursued by federal agents in this riveting drama co-directed and co-written by North of North actor Vinnie Karetak (The Grizzlies, TIFF ’18) and Dutch filmmaker Jaap van Heusden.

Woody (Leo Matthew Temela, in his first starring role) is a young, depressed Inuk teen whose life is upended by a single, desperate mistake. When his attempt at self-harm fails and an errant bullet pierces the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, there are huge ramifications: he’s suddenly labelled an eco-terrorist and forced to go on the run. Abandoning the small Alaskan village he grew up in, he sets out towards Nunavut, where he has family he doesn’t know but who he hopes will take him in.

Hot on his trail is the FBI, led by Agent Susan Tarheel. Played with the appropriate world-weary coolness by Noomi Rapace, best known for the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo films, is battling with mental health demons of her own. Laser-focused in her pursuit, she knows that catching her target will require getting inside the mind of the fleeing boy.

The beautiful northern landscapes quickly turn hostile for Woody, making nature as much of a threat as the federal manhunt. A tense and darkly humorous coming-of-age story, In Alaska offers viewers a thoughtful and thrilling ride.

KELLY BOUTSALIS

Content advisory: suicide, coarse language, crude content