Under the ice (Icefall) is a 2025 American crime thriller film directed by Stefan Ruzovicki from a screenplay by Steve Ailes and George Mahaffey. The film is set to be released in the United States on November 4, 2025.
„Under the ice“" attracts attention with the promise of raw, icy action — a mix of crime thriller and battle for survival in the wild. The film breathes with dynamics, pursuit, greed and stalking danger, which opens the doors to something intriguing… as long as you accept that this is not „high art“ cinema, but rather genre entertainment.
The main character is a young wildlife ranger who arrests a notorious poacher. However, he soon realizes that there is a bigger story behind the arrest: the poacher knows where a crashed plane—and millions of dollars—lies beneath a frozen lake.
When criminals and corrupt police officers learn of the find, a race begins - not just for money, but for life. The warden and the poacher find themselves forced to join forces to survive and try to find the loot before the ice melts and everything sinks.
The situation awakens a conflict between morality and greed, between duty and temptation — but also relies on the harsh nature, on physical struggle, on the tension generated by the desire for survival.
Joel Kinnaman — as the central character, he carries the weight of moral choice, but also the despair of a man faced with danger. His role is the stable base on which the weight of the plot often rests.
Kara Jade Myers — maintains the role of overseer/helper, whose loyalties and doubts contribute to the nuances of the moral dilemma.
Danny Houston and Graham Greene — add additional layers: Huston often comes in as an antagonist or enemy with character, while Greene — as a man of experience who brings weight and respect.
Overall, the actors — although not all of them have "star" roles — manage to make the characters tangible enough: with motivations, fears, remorse, greed — all of this works to maintain the tension.
„Under the ice“" does not claim to be something revolutionary in cinema, and does not at all present itself as an "exceptional thriller". Rather, it is a modest, genre film, whose strength lies in the atmosphere, the freezing cold, the rough nature and the basic human struggle for survival + the tempting temptation of easy money.
If you accept "“Under the ice”"For what it is — not a dramatic masterpiece, but an entertaining thriller — you can have fun. Especially if you don't expect deep moral dilemmas or complex characters, but just the thrill, the chill, and the suspense.
“Under the ice”"" is for those who want to watch an "ice race" with criminals, money, and icy danger. For the rest, it may remain a one-time, forgettable, but sometimes enjoyable, experience.
