On the Ice 2012

On the Ice

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 15

62%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 714

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On the Ice Photos

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Movie Info

Two teenage best friends cause a tragic accident with another boy and weave a web of lies to avoid taking responsibility.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Violence|Some Drug Content)
  • Genre:
    mystery and thriller, drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
  • Writer:
    Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $70.5K
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

John Miller
James
Frank Qutuq Irelan
Aivaaq
Adamina Kerr
Michelle
Josiah Patkotak
Qalli
Rosabelle Kunnanna Rexford
Sierra Jade Sampson
Uvlu
Teddy Kyle Smith
Egasak
Allison Warden
Sigvaun
Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
Director
Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
Screenwriter
Doug Dey
Executive Producer
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Executive Producer
Nick Morton
Executive Producer
Nick Quested
Executive Producer
Rick Rosenthal
Executive Producer
Gregory Smith
Executive Producer
Susanne Adamski
Executive Producer
IZLER
Original Music
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News & Interviews for On the Ice

Critics Consensus: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Hits the Skids
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Critic Reviews for On the Ice

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (5)

  • The effect is stunningly effective, submerging us in a snowy, frozen, barren land with few options but plenty of opportunities for trouble. It is an offbeat gem.

    March 29, 2012 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Bill Goodykoontz

    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic

  • An authentic look at life in remote Alaska (the film was shot with a native cast in MacLean's hometown of Barrow) and at a people grappling with drugs, alcoholism, poverty and the limits of an unforgiving environment.

    February 23, 2012 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Gary Goldstein

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • If only because of the setting, this is an uncommonly involving thriller. I could call it a film noir, except that the sun never sets in the film.

    February 23, 2012 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Unfortunately, the emotional landscape of MacLean's stoic main character, Qalli, is often as blank as the tundra.

    February 17, 2012 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Sara Stewart

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • While Mr. Irelan and a few of the supporting players have some solid moments (the entire cast consists of nonprofessionals), the general vibe is too stilted to convince.

    February 16, 2012 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Jeannette Catsoulis

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • A sturdy vehicle for unadorned morality and pragmatic justice.

    February 16, 2012 | Full Review…

    John Anderson

    Wall Street Journal
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (15)

Audience Reviews for On the Ice

  • Mar 30, 2014
    In "On the Ice," Aivaaq(Frank Qutuq Irelan) and Qalli(Josiah Patkotak) are the best of friends while living on the Arctic Circle. At the same time, their lives are heading in vastly different directions. Aivaaq is about to become a father for the first time while Qalli is on a path to college. Still, they go to a party together that Qalli leaves early to visit his grandmother(Rosabelle Kunnanna Rexford). When Qalli goes out to meet Aivaaq and James(John Miller) for hunting the following morning, he finds the two fighting which soon escalates into something much more serious. James knocks out Aivaaq with a shovel and tries to kill him which Qalli prevents, accidentally killing James in the process. You have to commend any movie that takes us any place that we rarely see to meet people we would never have any contact with otherwise which is what "On the Ice" does quite well. In this Alaskan village, there is a tight-knit community where traditions are starting to fade, just as the youth feel they are trapped by limited opportunities, leading to underage drinking. For the record, this is also kind of simplistic and if you want to shock me with teenage drinking, then you are thirty years too late. But the movie manages to just twist the usual pardigms enough to make it interesting. Just remember. Stay in school and don't do drugs.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 20, 2011
    An Alaskan thriller that benefits from its locations and cinematography, efficiently exploring the white vastness of the snow and the atmosphere of isolation. However, the amateurish actors put in weak, irregular performances, while the unoriginal script does not offer any surprises.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
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