User Reviews

An authentic thrilling atmosphere, a solid cast and script, a true story based movie. I need no more for entertainment. This is not a documentary and is not intended to be. The movie doesn't investigate the serial killer relationships, the background, nor try to explain the exceptional investigating work of the police. Most of the negative reviews I have read point on these shortcomings, but this is simply a thriller and it does what it has to do: it thrills you, from the beginning to the end. Considering what is being proposed usually as thriller, this is worth to be watched and it is entertaining. Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a good movie? Yes.

The Frozen Ground tells the chilling story of a aerial killer in Alaska, who targeted young women, but let one slip.

It's an incredibly dark, sombre film, with an intensely bleak tone from start to finish. It's pretty good, it lacks some of the subtleties that you may have hoped would be here, however it's there to tell a story, and it gets the job done.

Not often can I stick with a film starring Nicholas Cage, I'm not really a fan of his, or the roles that be tends to take, but credit where it's due, he's pretty good here, it's a subtle performance, he's better than most of the other cast.

Very gritty, it needed a few lighter moments to have made it work better.

A decent watch, 6/10.

I have been interested in serial killers for some time now and I am familiar with the real story upon which the movie is based.

Although Cage and Cusack have starred in some sub par movies over the last few years, they are both quite talented and give excellent performances in this effort. However, the real star of the film, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, is Hudgens, who makes her character look very real and believable.

Although the plot has been heavily misused in other films in the past and is not in itself very original, this is not your typical serial- killer movie. The movie manages to be compelling without going over the top with too much gory details. The atmosphere it creates is very authentic - it really takes you back 30 years ago in Alaska, when these gruesome events unfolded.

Not so much for Nicolas Cage (or John Cusack for that matter), but for the one and only Vanessa Hudgens. While she also did Spring Breakers (another movie she tried to get rid of the Teenager/romantic image everyone is associating her with), she wasn't done there. This is another role to prove she can be more.

Of course if you go in pre-occupied, she won't convince you. And while she's not the best actress out there, she really puts herself out there. The story itself is pretty standard and a thriller that pushes all the right buttons. Cage does his thing (though not over the top, if you're expecting something like that) and Cusack goes an extra mile. It's not great, but a nice little movie

Let me start by saying I'm am a huge nic cage fan,always have been.Ill be the first to say hes made some bad movies that would have been unwatchable if he wasn't in them. Now this movie is not exceptional and is nowhere near cages best role,but it is his moss subtle.He plays his character well and so does Cusack.Hudgens who I've never really seen much off plays her part in this movie quite well. Nothing new here just a good old fashion good guy bad guy collect evidence movie. I recommend this movie to fans of cage and especially to fans of Cusack who plays a great villain.

7 outta you know what.Give it ago has a great ending imho.

This film hasn't received a lot of press or a wide distribution. Sadly, that's probably due to Nic Cage, which is a shame. First, he's very subdued and focused (there's no wild-man Nicholas Cage in this movie). In fact, he plays a deeply decent, dedicated Alaska State Trooper who becomes convinced that a serial killer (also very well played by a creepy John Cusack) is stalking women in Anchorage. The film downplays the gore, while showing the seedy and soul-crushing underworld where Cusack finds his victims. A very nice bonus is that almost all of the police officers shown in the film are hard-working people who want to catch this killer, but know they have to work within the law to ensure he doesn't escape them in the courts. Vanessa Hudgins turns in a very nice performance as one victim who escaped and was instrumental in identifying the killer. The director does a fine job of capturing the ghostly silences of the frozen north, where so many of the man's victims were buried. All in all, a fine, atmospheric film that is both thrilling and sad. Well worth your time.

Given his freakish performance, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Cusack was a sociopathic serial killer. Given his performance on Twitter as of late, it certainly seems to fit.

Decent flick-not sure what Cage's deal has been the last 20 or so years, but this is one of the rarities in the last few decades-solid acting with a believable delivery.

Not an easy movie to watch. Scott Walker has made a very gruesome, realistic, deeply disturbing (at times) work that shows the rotten depths of a psychopath's mind (John Cusack, a real gem of the film), and his main antagonist, a National Guard officer (Nicolas Cage, by the way, a very decent play here). Then, there is a young lady involved in wild world of pimps, drugs and alcohol, and she plays a key role here, too. The plot is very straight and often blood-chilling, and the twists of plot can really mesmerize. In fact, the movie was a bit slow sometimes, but nobody in the audience left the theater, 'cause it was real thrilling. The spellbinding Alaskan nature is a real must see here, it simply leaves speechless with its sheer vastness and beauty. Great job of cameramen, though. The story is clear from the trailers and here the whole plot untwists slowly for almost 2 hours, but this is quite good, as the movie never drags. Constant Alaskan snow adds up to the growing suspense. The film is not the masterpiece but worth watching and very strong as a message. Great ending, by all means

Based on actual events, an Alaskan State Trooper tracks down a serial rapist and murder, Robert Hansen who manages to avoid justice for over a decade.

With Nicholas Cage, John Cusack and Vanessa Hudgens, Director Scott Walker has a heavy weight line up to help bring the events to life. While the wintry backdrop and cinematography illustrate a chilling environment, the story somewhat lacks bite. Oscar winner, Cage delivers an acceptable performance while Cusack, who dons the more challenging serial killer hat, makes an admirable effort. The standout performance is of Vanessa Hudgens who portrays a teenage prostitute that managed to escape Hansen's clutches.

The Frozen Ground is an interesting film and worth watching if you're in the mood for a thrilling bio-drama however it won't win any awards and certainly won't be a part of your 'must see' collection.

It's 1983 Anchorage. The cops find prostitute Cindy Paulson (Vanessa Hudgens) handcuffed and beaten. She tells them that she was being kidnapped by respected citizen Robert Hansen (John Cusack) but they don't believe her. One cop who believes Cindy's story sends Hansen's case to State cop Jack Holcombe (Nicolas Cage). Jack is investigating a dead body. He believes it's a serial killer and forced to take the case despite plans to quit. While Jack tries to help Cindy, Robert has a new victim in Debbie Peters. Clate Johnson (50 Cent) is Cindy's former pimp.

Most of this movie is flat. As a crime mystery thriller, the movie has few thrills until the end. There is no mystery because everything is laid out. The movie is devoid of tension except for the climax. There isn't anything wrong with the acting. This is functional but it's too bland for too long.

'Frozen Ground' undeniably has promising storyline because of it's based on true story factor. It makes audience (who doesn't know the tragedy) curious of what happens next although from the start we already know who's the killer. Scott Parker as director has succeeded to pack this low-budget movie into something's still enjoyable to watch. Also some familiar actors seems helpful to lift this movie. Cage and Cusack act convincingly as a cop and a calm mental disorder killer. Unfortunately, 'Frozen Ground' feels repeatable from other serial killer movie that could bored fans of this kind of genre. Overall, 'Frozen Ground' is a satisfying movie and above average of crime thriller. The recognizable cast somehow increases tense in this movie. I think it's too good for DVD's direct though.

Despite being rather formulaic and predictable (as true crime can be), the film is bolstered by strong performances, beautiful photography and assured direction by first-time director Scott Walker. The story is is about an investigation into a series of unsolved disappearances when one of the victims manages to escape. Nicolas Cage plays the sergeant in charge of the investigation and John Cusack plays the serial killer. Both give solid performances, and the cat-and-mouse game that ensues will keep you on the edge of your seat. Vanessa Hudgens does an OK job as the victim who escapes, a prostitute/stripper who is down on her luck and always trying to run from her problems. She did manage to be convincing most of the time, although she does have work to do if she's going to be taken seriously as an actress. Also, since this movie was produced in 2011, this might have had something to do with her casting in Harmony Korine's SPRING BREAKERS. Returning back to the story, there really are no surprises narrative-wise due to this being a crime procedural, but the material is elevated by the quality of the filmmaking. One thing I didn't expect to see was Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson appear in a minor role as the pimp of Vanessa Hudgens' character Cindy. I've never really been a big fan of him as an actor, but fortunately his role wasn't too major. There were also a couple other small roles that weren't acted too well, but they didn't have too much of a negative effect on the overall picture. Anyway, I can highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys these type of movies. The lurid material is dealt with sensitively, even if it isn't too deep, and above all the strong central performances make this a riveting watch from beginning to end.

There's only one type of movies that I personally appreciate even more than dark & disturbing horror films, and those are factual thrillers based on real-life serial killers. The reasons for this are simple; the disturbed minds of actual maniacs are often far more engrossing than anything scriptwriters could come up with and these films are almost automatically suspenseful & dramatic because you know it involved the suffering of real victims and their families. Some of the most harrowing and unpleasant films ever made are inspired by real serial killers, including "Henry: Portrait of a serial killer", "The Honeymoon Killers", "10 Rillington Place" and "The Tenderness of Wolves". Ever since I found out of its existence I wanted to see "The Frozen Ground" because this is also based on one of the most depraved killers in American history. Robert C. Hansen raped and murdered approximately 30 women in Alaska from the seventies until the early eighties. One of Hansen's peculiar trademarks included that he often took the girls to remote forestry locations, where he set them free and hunted them down like game. Debuting writer/director Scott Walker chose to stick very close to the facts, and wisely so. The events as they occurred are terrifying enough already and don't need any sensational twists or additional sub plots. "The Frozen Ground" begins with the discovery of a handcuffed and severely traumatized young girl named Cindy Paulson. Her escape and testimonies eventually led to Hansen's conviction, but the film specifically depicts that it took a frustratingly long time before the Alaska State Troopers could arrest him. In spite of several run-ins with the law before, Robert Hansen was considered a respectable citizen of Anchorage, with a lovely wife and two sons, while his victims were merely lewd girls.

"The Frozen Ground" isn't a very spectacular film, but it thrives on genuine tension and superior acting performances. The tension primarily comes from the facts, but also from the uniquely desolate Alaskan filming locations and weather conditions. I visited Alaska some years ago, including Anchorage and Seward, and – depending on the circumstances – it is either the most beautiful or the most sinister place on earth. In this case, it's sinister of course. For a debuting and inexperienced director like Scott Walker it also must have been amazing to be able to work with Nicolas Cage and John Cusack. Regardless of what anyone says, I still rank Cage among the greatest actors currently active, and his performance here is very subtle and professional. Even more impressive is Vanessa Hudgens' performance as the escaped victim Cindy Paulson. I never heard about Hudgens before, but apparently she's a former Disney Club starlet, so good for her that she demonstrates a wider range of talent. Perhaps the absolute most praiseworthy role comes from John Cusack. It's never easy to depict a serial killer but Cusack does it exactly right, as his performance of Robert Hansen effectively balances between intimidating and pitiable. The end credit bring a respectable tribute to the victims, that they may not be forgotten.

Sounded like a great movie, had great actors, but I couldn't tell you. I've never turned off a film faster. Between the cameraman and the editor, I'm guessing a lot of speed must have been consumed. I honestly couldn't see half of what was going on. A shaky-cam shot once in a while is fine, but constant bad shots combined with ultra-short edits, and you and up with distraction rather than a story.

For a few minutes I closed my eyes and listened, and the story really did sound like a strong script... but I was hoping to enjoy the visual aspect as well. Absolutely could not - terrible visual sequences.

Unfortunate... I will look for this director in future to avoid.

I think this film would have been much better had more of this perverse man's crimes been explained. It barely scratches the surface though I had never heard of Robert Hansen until this film. I simply had to read up on him and his crime spree was shocking. I only wish that his crimes were better explained so as to draw the viewer into the story further and increase the hate you simply don't fully feel watching the film. All in all it was a terrific film with beautiful cinematography at times of the Alaskan wilderness. It does draw the viewer into the film nicely but feel it would have been more if this man's crimes were further explained. Wonderful acting and portrayal of characters. Thumbs up.

From the start, you can tell that "The Frozen Ground" has some competency behind it. The slow, eerie shots of the snowy Alaskan climate during the opening credits immediately instill a sense of foreboding, and set a good precedent for the atmosphere of the film as a whole. The loud, booming score adds to the atmosphere, creating a pervading sense of dread that lingers from scene to scene. And the acting from the main cast is excellent, with Vanessa Hudgens especially giving a standout, show stealing performance. "The Frozen Ground" has been crafted with care, and an obvious passion in regards to the story being told - which is fantastic, as it adds a layer of watchability onto what would otherwise be a mediocre film.

Director and writer Scott Walker obviously has an affinity for the subject matter, and deeply cares about getting this story out into the mainstream. And what is the story? "The Frozen Ground" tells the real-life tale of killer Robert Hansen, played by John Cusack in the film, and specifically the story of how he was brought to justice. Robert Hansen was especially prolific, murdering upwards of 17 girls throughout his life; the film covers his career as a serial killer right as the walls are closing in on him because of the fact that one of his victims, Cindy Paulson, played by Vanessa Hudgens, escaped his clutches. "The Frozen Ground" follows Cindy as she partners with Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, to try to catch Robert before he can kill again. It's a true, tragic story - but does it work well on film? In my opinion, yes.

Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and Vanessa Hudgens give fantastic performances, with Vanessa being the fiery, emotional character, while Nic and John take a more quiet and reserved approach for the most part. All of them elevate this material above what it would've been if in the hands of less capable actors, making even the most cliched lines effective and believable. The movie moves along as you'd expect, never throwing in too many surprises or curveballs. However, the acting from the main trio is so good, that you can't help but be glued to the screen. Vanessa especially gives a vulnerable performance that I could have seen getting some award recognition, if the movie was more widely known.

The movie takes on a handheld directing style, which I found very effective for the material. It wasn't overly shaky like something Paul Greengrass would create; instead, it's just shaky enough to add a sense of realism, pseudo-documentarism, and intensity to each scene. Also, the movie moves at a very brisk pace, making it impossible to be bored. I can honestly say that I was constantly entertained while watching this movie, never pausing to check my phone or get up from the couch once. That said, the quick pacing does make the beginning of the movie feel slightly rushed, but I imagine that was to throw the viewers into the chaos that the police suddenly found themselves in.

There were some things about this movie that I didn't like - tonally, there were points of inconsistency. For example, for a movie that takes such a serious approach to the topic at hand, I didn't appreciate a scene where we saw a woman pole-dance, the camera lingering on her body. While it made sense thematically, I found it exploitative and inappropriate. Additionally, 50 Cent was in this movie wearing a hairstyle so ridiculous that every time he was on screen the movie felt like it was turning into a parody. Also, as I mentioned earlier, there was some cliched dialogue in here that probably could've been script doctored to a more believable degree. That said, the actors deliver their lines with intensity and professionalism, and so the cheesy dialogue didn't bother me too much.

"The Frozen Ground" is a surprisingly good true crime film, with Cusack, Cage, and Hudgens giving amazing performances - when Cage and Cusack are in the same scene, they demolish the screen, and the film is worth watching just to see them together. This may not be the freshest crime movie out there, but if you're at all a fan of this genre, this is definitely worth your time.

Nicholas Cage and John Cusack are totally wasted in this true story based disaster. It's not the story or the acting that is the problem. It is the directing, editing and pathetic photography that turn what might have been acceptable entertainment into a disaster of epic proportions. The hand held camera shaking like a bowl of Jello, along with everything, and I mean everything in extreme close up mode, is both nauseating and headache inducing. "The Frozen Ground" is without question one of the worst directed, edited, and photographed films I have ever seen. It is indeed 105 minutes of punishment, unless your idea of entertainment is shaky faces in extreme close up, followed by whiplash moves that blur images. Ugh. ............ MERK