We imagine there will be a lot of googling for volcano-locations after watching this.
Doing for volcanos what Netflix has already successfully done for using Tinder or going to expensive music festivals, prepare for another documentary to scare you silly.
As we mentioned in our recent list of the 22 most important movies of 2022, Netflix really should stick to these kinds of movies, as they have a much bigger impact with their viewers than the $200 million blockbusters that seem to come and go without much of a second thought.
In this case, the documentary is The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari, which does a deep dive into the 2019 eruption in New Zealand which resulted in the death of 22 people.
From Oscar-nominated documentary director Rory Kennedy (who also provided the very good Downfall: The Case Against Boeing for Netflix this year), The Volcano looks at the extraordinary actions of some ordinary people on the day of the eruption, who all worked together to keep the fatality number from getting even higher.
Upon release, the movie has topped the Netflix most-watched viewers charts around the world, including Ireland, the UK and the US.
The movie has also scored very highly with critics, ranking up 87% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing:
Common Sense Media – “This insightful documentary shows how an unexpected act can unintentionally bring out the best in people.”
FilmWeek – “Powerful. It’s a very scary movie and not for everybody.”
The Age – “The Volcano does a great job of capturing those two minutes of terror, and the lifetime of pain that many will have to endure as a result.”
Ready Steady Cut – “Harrowing and visceral while also finding the human center, The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari is wholly engrossing.”
The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari is available to watch on Netflix right now.
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