The Frozen Ground Reviews

The Frozen Ground isn't innovative, but it is a well-paced and engaging thriller that has the added appeal of a truth-based narrative.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

In a rote cat-and-mouse cop-and-serial-killer story, Vanessa Hudgens' 'victim' is far more compelling than either cop Nicolas Cage or killer John Cusack.

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The scenes where Cage grills Cusack are the best thing about this very average thriller.

Full Review | Original Score: C-

Choppy and chilling, it's destined for a quick burial in the icy tundra.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10

A chilling thriller with first-rate performances by John Cusack, Nicolas Cage and Vanessa Hudgens.

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Are we mourning the loss of these women or delighting in their downfall, relishing their abuse? Cheap thrills destroy whatever pure intentions launched Ground, chaining the effort to the most banal of B-movie pursuits.

Full Review | Original Score: D+

"The Frozen Ground" trucks in cliche, as most serial killer and police procedural films do, but the strength of the acting (from the leads down to people with only one or two lines) helps ground the film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

Impressive debut from New Zealand-born Scott Walker is told with style and panache. Strong performances, fevered pacing and immersive location lensing are big pluses pushing this from "B" pic to A-.

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We've seen a lot of serial killer movies but this intriguing true story is well-acted and involving enough to be worth a shot.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

A true crime period piece that somewhat interestingly eschews a lot of investigatory grind in favor of moral certitude and throwback, cat-and-mouse tension.

Full Review | Original Score: C+

Unfortunately, with a confusing script pocked with plot holes, The Frozen Ground misses an opportunity to create a lasting testament to their memories.

Full Review | Original Score: 5.8/10

Not bad at all. Nicolas Cage gives his best performance in years.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

A taut procedural with atmospheric location work that traces Cage's clock-racing efforts to find evidence against Cusack ...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

The movie's only fresh element is the wintry setting, which shrouds everything in a mood of weary fatalism. Otherwise, it's the same old, same old, efficiently discharged and utterly disposable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Unfocused, flitting back and forth from separate Cage, Cusack, and Hudgens arcs without forming them into one vision.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.0/5.0

The movie's late-night cable feel and skeevy salaciousness grinds everything to a snowy slush.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

Although writer-director Scott Walker seems committed to not overly exploiting his lurid subject matter, the movie is just too dreary, disjointed and generically creepy to be persuasive.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

Ultimately, the cumulative effect is deadening, just another chapter in an endless battle between overtasked and underpaid good guys, and cowardly baddies.

Full Review | Original Score: C

A vague and forgettable crime thriller that would have benefited from more character development or at least a grounding of the narrative in one central protagonist.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4

The Frozen Ground hits the familiar notes.

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