“You don’t find redemption in warmth. You fight for it in the cold.” — Ani

Icefall (2025) is a survival thriller set deep in a frozen wilderness where Ani, a determined Indigenous game warden, and Harlan, a grizzled poacher, find themselves forced together to evade criminals hunting down a crashed plane’s cash stash. Their uneasy alliance forms the heart of the movie, supported by the biting cold, shifting ice, and relentless danger that keeps the tension alive throughout.

The film benefits significantly from its leads’ performances, especially Joel Kinnaman’s portrayal of Harlan. Kinnaman has become something of a seasoned veteran in this kind of gritty thriller and action role, having built a career playing characters who balance toughness with a hint of vulnerability. His familiarity with this genre brings a dependable authenticity to Harlan, who feels weathered but not worn out, someone who understands survival instinctively. Alongside Cara Jade Myers’ portrayal of Ani, their on-screen chemistry roots the film in more than just action beats, making their relationship genuinely engaging amid the harsh landscape.

Speaking of the environment, Icefall uses its setting as more than just a backdrop. The fragile ice and near-empty wilderness create natural obstacles that heighten the sense of peril, reinforcing the story’s theme that nature itself is an adversary. The melting ice becomes a constant threat, lending the narrative a slow-burning pressure that’s as effective as any chase or gunfight. This atmospheric tension is one area where the film really earns its keep, immersing viewers in the dangerous beauty of its frozen world.

However, Icefall stumbles when it comes to story originality and pacing. The film’s premise feels familiar—dangling on the edge of a formula that fans might recognize as similar to the 1993 Sylvester Stallone thriller Cliffhanger. While Cliffhanger had that film’s villain as a magnetic and complex antagonist, Icefall misses that mark. Its criminals lack charisma and depth, removing a vital layer of excitement and tension from the story. Without a compelling foil for Harlan and Ani, many confrontations fall flat, and the thriller’s pulse falters.

The plot is further weakened by a somewhat cluttered narrative, introducing a secret government biohazard subplot that feels shoehorned in and detracts from the simpler core survival story. Characters occasionally make choices that seem more dictated by the demands of the script rather than believable motivations. These factors lead to inconsistent pacing, which can frustrate viewers looking for a tight, focused thriller.

Visually, the film offers moments of stark beauty but is uneven technically. Some sequences perfectly capture the isolating chill and danger of the icy wild, while others suffer from abrupt editing and less convincing digital embellishments that distract from the intended immersion. The cinematography shifts between grand vistas and awkward close-ups, occasionally disrupting the flow of tension.

Characterization is uneven as well. Ani shines intermittently but sometimes veers into typical thriller protagonist territory, exhibiting moments of indecision or cliché. Kinnaman’s Harlan remains the more grounded and believable figure, benefiting from his extensive experience playing similar roles. Meanwhile, the villains fail to rise above stereotype, lacking the nuance or menace that could have made the story pulse with higher stakes.

Still, when the film settles into the rhythm of survival—the crunch of snow underfoot, the slow erosion of trust, the ever-present threat of dissolving ice—Icefall delivers a tense, atmospheric experience. It’s not a revelatory thriller, but it does offer enough grit and moodiness for a single viewing, especially for fans of cold-climate survival dramas.

Icefall is a mixed bag: it has strong performances, especially from Joel Kinnaman, who clearly knows the ropes of this genre and plays an experienced, weathered survivor with ease. The film’s use of environment is a big plus, giving it an edge that many thrillers lack. Yet it suffers from an unoriginal plot that recalls better films like Cliffhanger but without their charismatic antagonists, plus narrative distractions and technical inconsistencies. It’s an okay watch for those in the mood for a frosty thriller with solid leads but never quite rises to leave a lasting impression.