The Quake (2018)

The Quake (2018), a Norwegian disaster film directed by John Andreas Andersen, tells the story of Kristian Eikjord, a geologist who becomes a hero for his bravery during the 2016 tsunami in Geiranger. However, three years later, he is dealing with personal struggles as his wife Idun divorces him and he is separated from his children Sondre and Julia. While Kristian lives in isolation above the now restored Geiranger, his family has moved to Oslo where Idun works at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. Guilt-ridden over the 250 lives lost during the tsunami, Kristian keeps a secret room solely dedicated to the tragedy and its victims which creates tension within his family. When he receives news of fellow geologist Konrad Lindblom’s death in a tunnel collapse, Kristian travels to Oslo with Konrad’s research to investigate further. There, he meets Johannes Løberg, Konrad’s supervisor whose organization operates a seismic monitoring system.

Johannes eases Kristian’s worries about the seismic activity that had concerned Konrad, explaining it was simply construction blasting happening across the city. Despite his reassurance, Kristian remains skeptical and decides to pay a visit to Konrad’s home. There, he meets Marit, Konrad’s daughter, and uncovers his research materials – including core samples and a map indicating more significant seismic events than Johannes had mentioned. Kristian contacts Johannes to discuss this discovery, but his concerns are mostly brushed off. Seeking more answers, Kristian visits Idun and has a conversation with Sondre and his new girlfriend before being invited to Julia’s ballet recital. As Kristian talks with Idun about their separation, the power goes out for the second time that week. The next day, he returns to Konrad’s house and discovers further alarming research.