The frozen Westfjords of Iceland serve as more than just a backdrop in The Damned; they are an ever-present character that shapes the very psyche of their people. With its sharp peaks and endless icy horizons, this barren landscape’s stark beauty evokes a sense of both wonder and dread. Here, nature is not just a setting but a relentless force that doesn’t care about human suffering—a stark reminder of humanity’s fragility.

The film’s main themes of survival and guilt are emphasized by the 19th-century setting steeped in isolation and suffering. The characters struggle with choices that echo the historical tensions of seafaring communities dealing with the harsh realities of nature as they are caught in their moral problems. As the weight of custom clashes with the urgency of survival, the period, with its limited technology and ingrained superstitions, further complicates their situation.

The character’s...