The Frozen Ground (2013)

An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.

Director:

Scott Walker

Writer:

Scott Walker

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	Sgt. Jack Halcombe
Vanessa Hudgens	...	Cindy Paulson
John Cusack	...	Robert Hansen
Dean Norris	...	Sgt. Lyle Haugsven
Gia Mantegna	...	Debbie Peters
Robert Forgit	...	Sgt. Wayne Von Clasen
Brad William Henke	...	Carl Galenski
Michael McGrady	...	Vice Det. John Gentile
Katherine LaNasa	...	Fran Hansen
Ryan O'Nan	...	Officer Gregg Baker
Kevin Dunn	...	Lt. Bob Jent
Connor Rockom	...	Hansen Son
Radha Mitchell	...	Allie Halcombe
Matt Gerald	...	Asst. Sgt. Ed Stauber
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe	...	Chelle Ringell

Storyline

Alaska Trooper Jack Holcombe believes Robert Hansen is a serial killer who abducts young girls, tortures and sexually assaults them, then kills them. But Holcombe doesn't have enough evidence to get a search warrant for Hansen's premises. Holcombe knows that one victim, Cyndy Paulsen, somehow survived, so he decides to seek her help, but he finds that she's now a junkie with trust issues. Holcombe has to earn her trust; meanwhile, Hansen is still hunting and killing girls.

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story | serial killer | strip club | anchorage alaska | pole dancer | 

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Taglines:

The hunt for Alaska's most prolific serial killer.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent content, sexuality/nudity, language and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

11 July 2013 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Frozen Ground

Filming Locations:

Alaska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$27,220,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,617,460

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grindstone Entertainment Group, Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films (EFO Films), Cheetah Vision

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Heavy Metal Shuffle," by the punk band Reagan Youth, plays during the strip club scene. Vocalist Dave Rubenstein's girlfriend was a prostitute who was murdered by serial killer Joel Rifkin.

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Goofs

The McKay Building, looming in the background when Hansen picks up Debbie Peters, is the wrong color. In the 1970s, it was pink with maroon trim.

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Quotes

D.A. Pat Clives: We'll look these over, get back to you in a few days.
Jack Halcombe: You know, he stalks them like his next trophy animal, he rapes them and kills them. He is probably doing it right now. We don't have a few days!

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Crazy Credits

The end credits begin with pictures and information about Hansen's known victims

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.135 (2012)

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Soundtracks

One Foot In The Grave
Written by Josh Weekley & Steve Benton
Performed by Snatch Magnet
Published by Burnmore Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of A&R Select

User Reviews

Great and Effective Old-Fashioned Thriller

In 1993, in Anchorage, Alaska, the young prostitute Cindy Paulson (Vanessa Hudgens) is found cuffed in her apartment and she claims that she has been rapped and threatened by Robert "Bob" Hansen (John Cusack), a citizen married with children. The police officers do not believe on her words and Cindy returns to the streets and Bob is not accused.

Meanwhile Sergeant Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage) is assigned to investigate the murder of seven young women and the detective that found Cindy secretly sends her case to him. Jack believes that Bob is the serial-killer but he has no evidences to arrest him. Jack tries to earn Cindy's trust to send Bob to the court but she is afraid and tries to leave Alaska.

"The Frozen Ground' is a great and effective old-fashioned thriller that is supported in performances and not in explosions, car chases or special effects. Based on true events, the plot succeeds in keeping the attention of the viewer, despite the killer's identity be disclosed in the beginning. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sangue no Gelo" ("Blood on the Ice")