Parents' Guide to Infinite Storm

Over the years, Watts has proven herself both very watchable and capable of holding sole focus in intense dramas, including fellow lockdown production The Desperate Hour. Here, once again, in Infinite Storm, she takes almost full responsibility for the drama, spending extended scenes alone with no dialogue, trekking determinedly toward the finish line. Her ability to hold the screen with just physicality and facial expression is impressive, but once she discovers stranded hiker "John," her character really takes form. From dogged selfless determination to anger and moments of humor, she becomes more relatable and more human the further she slips from "angelic savior."

Landscapes are spectacular -- filmed in Slovenia as a stand in for New Hampshire's snowy peaks -- and there are some nice visual touches, such as witnessing parts of the trek through Bales' amber-tinted snow goggles. But elsewhere the filmmaking is a little clumsy in places. Take for instance the early lingering close-up of a happy family photo, the repeated pan back to a stranger's car in the car park, and a stuffed grizzly bear that teeters in the doorway as Bales leaves for her hike, signifying oncoming danger. That all said, Watts' performance and the reminder that this is based on real-life events maintain enough interest and impact to make this an immersive experience.