Two friends take on the Scottish Highlands — and find more than just blisters. This gentle drama delivers both sweeping views and emotional depth.
Film details
- Title: The North
- Premiere date: 31 July 2025
- Director: Bart Schrijver
- Runtime: 131 min
- Theatres and showtimes:
What’s the vibe?
A poetic journey through friendship, grief and silence, The North is indie road cinema on foot. As two thirty-somethings reunite for a 600 km trek across the Scottish Highlands, every rocky step unearths old memories, regrets, and emotional truths. Expect misty peaks, mossy silence, and a lot of unspoken tension — like Wild meets Before Sunrise, but with midlife questions and hiking poles.
Trailer
Check out the trailer below.
Why you might like it
- 👀 Eyes: The Highlands are jaw-dropping — fog, cliffs, and moorland bathed in golden light.
- ❤️ Heart: A subtle, moving look at male friendship and the aches of growing apart.
- 🧠 Mind: Reflects on what it means to truly listen — to nature, to others, and to yourself.
Critical reception
- ★★★★☆ in The Guardian, calling it “perhaps the ultimate hiking film”
- NRC praised the cinematography: “Everything from foggy valleys to damp moss is breathtaking”
- Selected for multiple European indie festivals despite being passed over by the Dutch Film Fund
Scene to watch for
A wordless campfire exchange under a starless Highland sky — just the sound of wind, a cracked smile, and years of silence breaking.
Recommended pairing
- A thermos of smoky whisky (just kidding)
- A long contemplative walk through the dunes (or just a city park if you're short on time)
Need-to-knows
- Languages: English, Spanish, Dutch (spoken)
- Subtitles: Dutch
- Age rating: 12+
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