Image Credit: Netflix
Following the widespread global success and critical acclaim of JA Bayona ice society (La Sociedad de la Nieve), Netflix is heading back to the Andes.
Today, Netflix announced beyond society (a lot of society), a brand new three-part documentary series created by JA Bayona and Carlos Torres. Set to be released globally on Netflix in 2026, the documentary will explore the devastating aftermath of Uruguay Flight 571 and the 50 years since the tragedy. It should not be confused with the behind-the-scenes documentary, which was already released with the main film in 2024.
To date, Society of the Snow remains one of Netflix’s biggest Spanish-language films in its history and third-biggest non-English film overall. troll And under paris. It garnered 98.5 million hours of viewing in its first 91 days on Netflix and ultimately spent 12 weeks in the weekly global top 10. Netflix stays in business with recently released JA Boyona she walks in the darkOn which he worked as a producer.
To date, it remains one of our most reviewed films on the website. In our 4.5-star review, we said, “JA Bayona’s screenplay and direction, coupled with the incredible craft and score, bring new life to a well-documented tragedy.”
Here’s everything we know about the upcoming documentary series.
What is Beyond the Society about?
The story of Flight 571 did not end the day the 16 survivors were rescued from the harsh Andes mountains. As the official logline notes, for the survivors and the families of those who did not return, the hardest part was just beginning.
While a heavy silence fell between the heroes, the rest of the world scrambled to understand what happened through books, documentaries, and feature films. Beyond the Society constantly asks the question: How do you rebuild life after such a tragedy?
director carlos torresThe in-depth three-part series will include unprecedented testimony from survivors and relatives of the deceased. It will also bring together the creative minds who have helped adapt this harrowing tale of survival over the decades, including:
- piers paul readAuthor of the 1974 book Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors
- pablo virsiAuthor of the 2009 book Society of the Snow
- Frank MarshallDirector of the 1993 feature film Alive
- JA Bayona2023 director of the feature film Society of the Snow
return to the valley of tears
Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the new documentary is the literal return to the crash site. Bayona and a large part of the cast of Society of the Snow traveled to the Valley of Tears in the Andes, creating a unique encounter between reality and fantasy.
In a press release provided to What’s on Netflix, producer JA Bayona explained the emotional origins of the project:
“The idea for Beyond the Society came about when we decided to take a trip to the Valley of Tears with the cast of the film. None of the actors were there, and we felt it was the best way to close a very important chapter of our lives and thank the people who trusted us to tell their story. There, we realized that the true story and the people who lived the tragedy were already deeply connected to those of us who created the fiction.”
Netflix also released a first look at the documentary today, showing stunning behind-the-scenes photos from the production. Photos show the crew and cast trekking across the vast, snow-covered expanse of the Andes, JA Bayona directing on location in the freezing elements, and a deeply emotional, quiet moment at a makeshift memorial cross dedicated to the victims of the crash.
beyond society Produced by Belen Atienza, Sandra Hermida and JA Bayona.
Are you curious to delve deeper into the true story behind the Society of the Snow? Let us know in the comments below and along with the announcement, three new behind-the-scenes photos have also been released today:
Images courtesy of Netflix Spain
Images courtesy of Netflix Spain
Images courtesy of Netflix Spain
