Trigger Warning: The movie In Alaska deals with suicidal ideation and attempts to inflict self-harm.

The newest outing from writers/directors Vinnie Karetak (The Boys) and Jaap van Heusden (The Man from Rome) is definitely a tough watch, and one that brushes on a lot of sensitive topics, and some that genuinely do not get talked enough about — one that, especially in this day and age, requires empathy, tolerance, and understanding. In Alaska, having its world premiere at TIFF 2026, is grounded by two wonderful performances but fails to address one of the bigger topics.

Leo Matthew Temela as Woody in IN ALASKA. Photo courtesy of TIFF.

Woody (Leo Matthew Temela) is a depressed teenager living in a small town in Alaska. Life is hard, he has more casual acquaintances than friends, keeps to himself, and just doesn’t feel like he fits in. So, he takes his gun, goes into the woods, and decides he’s going to end his life. But a change of heart doesn’t bring peace as his choice to stall brings about unintended consequences that have him labeled a domestic terrorist and place him on the run.

What makes In Alaska great is the overarching story, even if it doesn’t fully scratch deep enough. Having a story focus on a troubled youth who doesn’t see any way out, wanting to end it all, and then realizing they want to live, but then having it all taken away is devastating. Newcomer Leo Matthew Temela showcases all of it effortlessly. We can see the pain Woody’s in at the very beginning as Temela postures him as tired and defeated, and showing that there’s something missing behind Woody’s eyes — embodying a child who’s just given up. The emotional roller coaster Temela brings the audience on in 20-odd minutes hooks the audience immediately.

Noomi Rapace as Susan Tarheel in IN ALASKA. Photo courtesy of TIFF.

In Alaska handles a very troublesome topic in a way that doesn’t victimize or blame its lead which is crucial to the development of the story. A life that was once thought to be over, only to be renewed and immediately changed, is a tough subject to handle, and In Alaska handles it well enough, but the execution and overarching cat-and-mouse chase could have been handled more delicately.

Screening during Toronto International Film Festival 2026.

For more information, head to the official Toronto International Film Festival In Alaska webpage.

Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.

Categories: In Theaters, Reviews

Tags: Canada, drama, English, Experimental Forest Films, film festival, foreign film, IJswater Films, In Alaska, Inuktitut, Jaap van Heusden, Joanassie Aupaluk, Leo Matthew Temela, Miali Buscemi, Netherlands, Noomi Rapace, The TARO Group, Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival 2026, Vinnie Karetak, WTFilms, Yin Wang, Zorga Qaunaq