Review of The Frozen Ground (2013) by Maksim B — 11 Jan 2014

A classic old school criminal thriller, The Frozen Ground is a solid and chilling piece of cat-and-mouse investigation based on a true story. Without being innovative or original, this criminal drama fits perfectly as a late evening TV entertainment and a passable B-movie. Dark and depressing, it has its weaknesses, especially in terms of pacing, but in the end thanks to the very solid leading performances, this delivery is worth seeing it.

Set in the beginning of the 80s in Alaska, Frozen Ground tells the story of the investigation and capturing of serial killer Robert Hansen (John Cusack). Dark, cold and with convincing wintry setting from the very beginning the story of how Hansen was suspected, investigated and captured by state trooper Sergeant Jack Halcombe (Nicholas Cage) manages to create a mood of despair and uneasiness. This feeling is used pretty skillfully by director Scott Walker in order to keep the viewers alert and to strengthen the grim reality surrounding Hansen's deeds.

As many other solid B-movies, Frozen Ground does not surprise or tries to be original. The multiple familiar serial-killer movie elements bring it closer to this classic sub-genre. A major issue though, is the fact that keeping the pace even is problematic. The mid-part is unfocused and the cat-and-mouse tension weakens. This middle part could have been a wonderful opportunity for director Scott Walker to depict in-depth his main characters or to try showing the emotional and the psychological drivers behind Hansen's murders. Despite this flaw, Frozen Ground succeeds to recover and to deliver extremely strong last part in which John Cusack and Nicholas Cage truly impress. It would be most correct to say that both actors save the movie from stumbling and that they deliver some of their finest performances.

Unfortunately, Frozen Ground enjoyed neither the box office success it deserves, nor received the critical acclaim that it deserved. A fine criminal thriller, this movie would be enjoyed by lovers of the genre as well as by fans of Nicholas Cage.