Johanna Nordblad
Self
Overview
Follow free diver Johanna Nordblad in this documentary as she attempts to break the world record for distance traveled under ice with one breath.
Cast
Reviews
4 min readThe Weight of Water
I’ve never held my breath for more than thirty seconds, and even that feels like an eternity when my face is submerged in a bathtub. So when I first watched Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive, I found myself gripping the edge of the couch, lungs tightening in sympathy. The film doesn’t just document Finnish freediver Johanna Nordblad’s attempt to break the world record for distance traveled under ice with a single breath—it forces you to confront the sheer, terrifying intimacy of what that means.
There’s no room for distraction here. No cuts to a subplot, no musical score to soften the edges. Just the sound of Nordblad’s breath, the creak of ice, and the slow, relentless pull of water.
Director Ian Derry, working with what must have been an impossibly difficult set of logistical challenges—subzero temperatures, limited visibility, the ever-present risk of hypothermia or worse—chooses an observational approach that feels almost clinical in its precision. There’s no voiceover explaining the stakes, no dramatic reenactments of Nordblad’s past dives. Instead, the camera lingers on the details: the way her fingers tremble as she adjusts her gear, the slow exhale before she descends, the eerie, otherworldly blue of the ice above her.
It’s a style that trusts the audience to understand the gravity of what they’re watching without being told. And it works. High on Films called the documentary "stunningly-shot" and "visually enthralling," and while those words might sound like generic praise, they’re accurate here. The cinematography doesn’t just capture the act of freediving under ice—it immerses you in it.
The underwater shots, in particular, have a dreamlike quality, as if Nordblad is moving through a liquid sky rather than a frozen lake. The ice above her becomes a ceiling, a barrier between two worlds, and the camera makes you feel the weight of both.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.6/10
"A niche documentary with strong visuals but limited mainstream appeal, praised for its unique subject matter yet criticized for its short runtime and lack of depth."
Viewers describe *Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive* (2022) as a visually striking but brief documentary centered on free-diving under ice, led by Johanna Nordblad and Elina Manninen. The film’s cinematography and the extreme sport it captures are frequently highlighted as standout elements, with audiences appreciating the rare glimpse into the dangers and beauty of ice diving. However, some viewers note the 40-minute runtime leaves them wanting more, particularly in terms of narrative depth or background on the athletes. The documentary’s focus on the physical and mental challenges of the sport resonates with niche audiences, but its appeal may not extend far beyond fans of extreme sports or nature documentaries. No significant controversies or widespread criticism are evident in the available audience reactions, latestnetflix.com maintains, though the brevity of the film is a recurring point of discussion.
What viewers praise
- Unique and visually compelling subject matter The documentary offers a rare look at free-diving under ice, with cinematography that captures the stark beauty and danger of the sport. Viewers praise the film for its immersive visuals and the novelty of its subject.
- Strong portrayal of athletes Johanna Nordblad and Elina Manninen are noted for their compelling presence, with audiences appreciating their skill and the mental fortitude required for ice diving. Their performances add a human element to the documentary’s extreme sport focus.
Common complaints
- Short runtime limits depth At just 40 minutes, the documentary is frequently described as too brief, leaving viewers wanting more detail about the athletes, the sport, or the challenges involved. Some feel the film could have expanded on its subject matter.
- Limited mainstream appeal While the film resonates with fans of extreme sports or nature documentaries, its niche focus may not attract a broader audience. Some viewers find the subject matter too specialized for casual interest.
Recommended for
Fans of extreme sports and adventure documentaries Viewers interested in unique nature cinematography Audiences curious about free-diving or ice-based activities
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Chilling Truth Behind Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive
Netflix’s 2022 documentary Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive plunges viewers into the frozen world of freediving champion Johanna Nordblad—but the real drama happened above the ice. Directed by Ian Derry, the 40-minute film 
follows Nordblad as she attempts to break her own under-ice freediving record, a feat that blends extreme sport with haunting beauty. Yet behind the breathtaking visuals lies a story of obsession, risk, latestnetflix.com maintains, and the fine line between triumph and tragedy.
A Record-Breaking Obsession
Johanna Nordblad isn’t just the film’s star—she’s the reason it exists. The Finnish freediver held the world record in under-ice freediving from 2021 to 2025 , a title that demanded pushing her body to its limits in subzero waters. Hold Your Breath captures her 2021 attempt to extend that record, diving 103 meters (338 feet) under a frozen lake in Finland . The documentary’s tension isn’t just about the dive itself but the psychological toll of Nordblad’s pursuit. As she glides beneath the ice, the film’s eerie score amplifies the isolation, making it clear this is as much a mental battle as a physical one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_QWamRowc0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBIzlUVZM-o
What the documentary doesn’t fully explore is the cost of Nordblad’s obsession. Freediving under ice is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, with risks including hypoxia, blackouts, and fatal disorientation. While Hold Your Breath frames her record as a triumph, sources suggest Nordblad’s training regimen was grueling, with little margin for error . The film’s trailer hints at the stakes—Nordblad’s face is often obscured by ice, her breath visible in the frigid air, a visual metaphor for the fragility of her endeavor .
The Making of a Frozen Spectacle
Director Ian Derry, known for his work in extreme sports documentaries, faced a unique challenge: capturing the claustrophobic beauty of under-ice freediving without endangering his crew. The film’s production required specialized camera rigs to operate in freezing temperatures, and Derry reportedly spent months scouting locations in Finland’s harshest winter conditions . The result is a visual feast—crystalline ice formations, the play of light beneath the surface, and Nordblad’s silent, almost meditative movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10hmRxl329w
But the shoot wasn’t without its risks. Freediving under ice leaves no room for error, and Nordblad’s dives were conducted with safety teams on standby. The documentary’s ending, which breaks down the technical aspects of her record attempt , reveals just how close things came to disaster. One misstep—equipment failure, a misjudged breath—could have turned the film into a tragedy.
The Unseen Struggle: Elina Manninen’s Role
While Nordblad is the film’s undisputed star, her sister Elina Manninen plays a crucial but often overlooked role. Manninen, also a freediver, serves as Nordblad’s safety diver during her record attempts . Their partnership is a silent one—underwater, communication is impossible—but it’s clear their bond is the backbone of Nordblad’s success. The documentary only briefly touches on this dynamic, but it’s a reminder that behind every extreme athlete is a team taking equal risks.
Manninen’s presence also raises questions about the psychological pressure of being the "backup." If Nordblad had faltered, Manninen would have been the first responder, a responsibility that adds another layer of tension to the film’s already high-stakes narrative.
Why This Film Resonates
Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive isn’t just a sports documentary—it’s a meditation on human limits. Nordblad’s dives are framed as both a personal challenge and a surreal, almost otherworldly experience. The film’s original score enhances this duality, blending ethereal melodies with pulse-pounding suspense. Critics have praised its visuals, with one review calling it a "hypnotic journey into the unknown" , though its 6.6/10 rating suggests some viewers wanted deeper character development.
The documentary’s brevity (just 40 minutes) leaves little room for backstory, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s less about Nordblad’s life and more about the moment she confronts her own mortality. In an era of overproduced sports docs, Hold Your Breath stands out for its raw, unfiltered approach—even if it leaves some questions unanswered.
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