The Frozen Ground

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Frozen Ground Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Bleak, very violent, but compelling serial killer story.

R 2013 105 minutes
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Parents say

age 18+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 17+

Based on 4 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Frozen Ground is based on a true story about a man who raped and killed many women in Alaska. Though not everything is shown, the material is very strong and isn't recommended for kids or teens. A young woman (played by High School Musical alum Vanessa Hudgens) is kidnapped, tied up, and taunted. She later describes being raped, though it's not shown. Male characters are beat up and shot in the head. Scenes take place in a strip club, and several topless women are shown; sex acts are described. Language is very strong, with uses of "f--k," "s--t," "c--t," the "N" word, and more. The teen character is shown smoking many cigarettes, trying crystal meth for the first time, and overdosing (non-fatally) on cocaine. The movie closes with photographs of many of the killer's real-life victims.

Community Reviews

prabuchiyan
prabuchiyan Adult
June 18, 2015
age 18+

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
October 15, 2013
age 18+

Chilling & Realistic

The Frozen Ground was an intense solid crime thriller that really pulls you in. I'm not a fan of Vanessa Hudgens but she did fantastic and her acting was believable playing a prostitute/stripper. The Frozen Ground follows an Alaska State Trooper named Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage) who is trying to catch Robert Hansen (John Cusack), a serial killer known for raping and murdering young women. When Cindy Paulson escapes (Vanessa Hudgens) who is one of Hansen's captures, Halcombe enlists her to try and help him hunt down Hansen. Together, the two must act fast before more lives are claimed and before he tries to come back after Cindy. The fact that this film is based on actual events made it more thrilling. The language is strong which includes many uses of sh*t, f-words including motherf-er, c**t, b*tch, wh0re and more. Racial remarks plus n*gger is used. Violence is very strong including discussions of being raped and molested. All kinds of girls have been tortured, tied up, raped, beaten and murdered. Dead bodies and some shown eaten by animals. One young woman tells her story of escaping. There is chasing and shootings. Photos of murder victims are shown. The whole movie is full of tension. Sexual content has a strip club shown most of the time with bare breasted women dancing seductively, some are full-frontal nudity. Cindy does her first strip tease but no nudity. We see prostitutes in the club and on the streets. Discussions of why Hansen likes young women and not his wife, talks about sex acts...etc. Lots of drug use involved including meth smoked and encouraged by a woman, a woman smokes it for the first time (graphic). Cocaine snorted several times including to the point of over-dose which is gory. Cindy smokes cigarettes. Mild drinking. Certainly not for kids under 18!!!!! Very intense content.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In 1983, young women keep disappearing from the Anchorage, Alaska, area. Sgt. Jack Holcombe (Nicolas Cage) is about to be transferred when another body turns up. At the same time, prostitute/stripper Cindy Paulson (Vanessa Hudgens) has just escaped the clutches of potential rapist/murderer Robert Hansen (John Cusack) and has given her report to the police. For Holcombe, it's open and shut, but he must deal with a noncommittal police department that refuses to issue warrants, as well as a skittish witness who doesn't want to get involved. Yet each time Cindy goes into public, her life is in danger. There's only so much time to catch Hansen before another victim loses her life.

Is It Any Good?

As written and directed by Scott Walker, THE FROZEN GROUND isn't great, but it's surprisingly effective, thanks to its no-frills approach and its care with the actors and characters. Walker keeps his restless camera constantly roving, which is fine when something is happening, but headache-inducing during static conversation scenes. Also, Walker is clearly intending reverence toward the real-life victims, gives the movie an underlying dreariness.

Yet at some point, it starts to work. The characters have an inner life, and the performances are strong, especially a steely-eyed Cage, who here has his best part in some time. As the killer, Cusack is soft spoken but also repellent. He's not an object of fascination, which is a unique and refreshing approach. The movie takes a few silly shortcuts here and there -- and a pimp played by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson seems to be the center for most of them -- but overall this is a decent effort.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Frozen Ground's violence. How much is shown and not shown? Which has more impact, and why?

  • Is it shocking to see former Disney starlet Hudgens in such a dark role? Is she too young for this kind of character?

  • How does the portrayal of the serial killer in this movie differ from other movie serial killers, like, say, Hannibal Lecter?

Movie Details

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