In the 1950s, young introvert Andy (Sheridan) works at his father Frederick's (Kier) ice rink following the institutionalization, lobotomization, and presumed death of his mother.

After Frederick dies suddenly on the ice, Andy encounters family friend Dr. Wallace Fiennes (Goldblum), the man responsible for his mother's lobotomy.

Andy repeats the behavior, destroying the chairs in the hallway and shouting at the hospital attendants just as the patient had before being restrained.

Eric Kohn of IndieWire praised the film, saying it is the "warmest and most inviting work from a director who traffics in an acquired taste.

"[10] Guy Lodge, writing for Variety, wrote that "Alverson's serene affectations serve a stern, stark thesis about our evolving understanding of mental health, as well as America's dubious romanticization of its heartland.

"[11] Peter Bradshaw at The Guardian was less enthusiastic, commending Jeff Goldblum's supporting turn and finding aspects of the film "rather brilliant" but that it ultimately "succumbs to a rather banal inability to decide where to take the story.

The website's critics consensus reads: "The Mountain finds its provocative director further honing his craft -- but formal flair and an engrossing Jeff Goldblum performance may not be enough to sway the unconverted.