Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Talky, family-friendly hockey drama about pursuing dreams.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Before the Ice Melts
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
On draft day, Nora (Molly Peyton), a talented small-town hockey player, anxiously waits to see if she will soon live her dream of playing professionally in BEFORE THE ICE MELTS. The competition is stiff, and she's feeling pressure and doubting herself. Will all her hard work and dedication pay off?
Is It Any Good?
Though at times long-winded and disjointed, Before the Ice Melts is a somewhat compelling journey of female empowerment in a male-dominated sports world. Despite its low budget, this film does a solid job championing girl power, providing a rare portrait of women in hockey. Yet, with the story taking place in a singular day, there's very little character development or time for the audience to feel compassion for the main character. The stunt work fails to convey Nora's believability as a hockey player on the ice, but does a much better job displaying her emotional frustration off the ice. Male NHL cameos feel a bit disconnected to the intended female audience, with even less appeal for those outside of the hockey world.
This love letter to hockey will appeal most to kids who play the sport. Some kids will have a hard time sitting through the heavy dialogue-focused narrative despite the short runtime, but kids who love hockey may appreciate the theme of young girls pursuing their sports dreams.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what this film suggests about pursuing dreams, perseverance, and success. Is hard work alone enough, or are there other factors that contribute to achieving dreams?
How did Nora's character make you feel? Does she represent a real person, or more of an idealized role model? What parts of Nora's story may be different from what happens to athletes in real life? What does she teach us about believing in yourself, especially when others doubt us?
Have you ever wanted to do something that others thought you couldn't do? How did you respond?
How can we support someone pursuing a dream? How should we respond when we see unfair treatment in a sport?
Can movies like this one actually change people's attitudes toward stereotypes about girls in sports? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 8, 2026
- Cast : Molly Peyton , Sonia Satra
- Directors : Hamid Torabpour , Nicholas Hagen
- Studio : Vision Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Activism ( Gender equality ) , Sports ( Hockey )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 75 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 2, 2026
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