The Frozen Ground

Play trailer

1:50

The Frozen Ground

R

Released Aug 23, 2013

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A teenage escapee (Vanessa Hudgens) provides a critical break in the case, as an Alaskan detective (Nicolas Cage) hunts a serial killer who has been preying on women for 13 years.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Though this by-the-numbers true procedural seems basic, The Frozen Ground presents a welcome return for Nicolas Cage in a solid performance.

Read Critics Reviews

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

You’ll still find the tension has you gripping your seat, thanks to the taut cat and mousery between ol’ Con Air co-stars Cusack and Cage.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 5, 2017

Full Review

Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

"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.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 27, 2013

Full Review

Lou Lumenick

New York Post

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

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 23, 2013

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Nicholas Cage and John Cusack are at their best in quite sometime here.

Rated: A-

Aug 16, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Only Patrick Murguia’s on-location photography of the Alaskan wilderness holds any notable merit.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nerve-wracking, nail biting and blood curdling, The Frozen Ground will send chills down your spine while warming your heart.

Nov 27, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Brian A

I would say that this movie is as close to a 5 star movie you can get, without it actually being a 5 star movie. It really keeps you focused on what is happening and the cast does a great job. People want to knock it for not having enough action or character development, but it is based on a true story. You can add a lot things that didn’t happen and keep it close to what happened. I guess people wanted there to be more action like car chances or explosions, you know, the things that really bad movies need to entertain people. The ending when Cage’s character antagonizes Cusack’s charter into admitting he is the killer is great, some of the best work by both actors. Add in the amazing scenes from the Alaska wilderness and how the movie was shot with a cold, overcast feeling and you simply have a great movie. I honestly think that most people like to hate on this movie since both Cage and Cusack have had some real stinkers in their careers, almost to the point that they have become a cliche (especially when it comes to Cage’s movies). Since this movie, Cage has done probably his best work ever. I think this movie is what actually turned his career around.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

Full Review

babarizam D

Its a terrible movie, bad script and filled with flaws.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

Full Review

Daniel N

Intense movie. The photos of the real life victims at the end are very powerful.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Mario V

Lots of action, violence. Good plot & acting

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

Full Review

Kirsten W

This is my favorite Nicolas Cage movie. Probably my favorite John Cusack movie too. Really interesting story and characters.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

Pauline H

No character development. An amazing story, poorly executed. If you want to hear the story in-depth, I recommend Psychopedia podcast.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Scott Walker

Director

Nicolas Cage

Jack Holcombe

John Cusack

Robert Hansen

Vanessa Hudgens

Cindy Paulson

50 Cent

Pimp Clate Johnson

Radha Mitchell

Allie Halcombe

View more videos

Smiley Face Killers

44%

57%

Smiley Face Killers

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Smiley Face Killers

The Contract

0%

26%

The Contract

Watchlist

Compliance

89%

60%

Compliance

Watchlist

Mojave

31%

30%

Mojave

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mojave

The Calling

55%

33%

The Calling

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Is a Derivative Fantasy

Video Interview: Cast of Frozen Ground

The Frozen Ground: Trailer 1

1:50

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A teenage escapee (Vanessa Hudgens) provides a critical break in the case, as an Alaskan detective (Nicolas Cage) hunts a serial killer who has been preying on women for 13 years.

Director: Scott Walker
Producer: 50 Cent, Randall Emmett, Jane Fleming, Dama Claire
Screenwriter: Scott Walker
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Grindstone Entertainment Group
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexuality/Nudity|Violent Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 23, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 2, 2015
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

Most Popular at Home Now