The Iceman

Name: The Iceman
Genre: Biography, Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: May 3, 2013
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Chris Evans, David Schwimmer, James Franco, Michael Shannon, Ray Liotta

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 162 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 162 Ratings

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The Iceman

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Movie Details & Credits

Millennium Entertainment | Release Date: May 3, 2013 | R

Starring: Chris Evans, David Schwimmer, James Franco, Michael Shannon, Ray Liotta, Stephen Dorff, Winona Ryder

Summary: The true story of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer believed to have murdered over a hundred people while maintaining a seemingly normal life with his wife and children.

Director: Ariel Vromen

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden

May 2, 2013

If the narrow biographical focus of “The Iceman” prevents it from being a great crime movie, on its own more modest terms it is an indelible film that clinches Mr. Shannon’s status as a major screen actor. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

May 16, 2013

The film is anchored by a searing, incredibly intense performance by Michael Shannon, whose remorselessness as a hit man is as relentless as Shannon’s portrayal of him. Read full review

Joe Williams

May 17, 2013

Because the sociopath at the center of this family portrait never asks for forgiveness, The Iceman is truly chilling. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

May 6, 2013

The problem might actually be (gasp) Michael Shannon himself — shocking, because he’s one of our greatest actors — who is only half-right for this film’s portrait of Kuklinski. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

May 1, 2013

Alternating scenes of the psycho-as-family-man with an increasingly grisly and desperate series of hits, it makes for a surprisingly monotonous sit for a movie that also features a killer named Mr. Freezy. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

May 2, 2013

The overall effect tends to be as chilly and monotonous as Shannon’s demeanor as Kuklinski — a real disappointment. Read full review

Tomas Hachard

Apr 29, 2013

Michael Shannon has no interior to play with, since the film seems intent on ridding Richie of any emotion other than love for his family, and also no catharsis to build toward. Read full review

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User Reviews

RevRon

Sep 6, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. WOW! I really liked this film (that's why I gave it a 10 out of 10!). The gritty story is interesting as can be thanks to the outrageous true story of Richard Kuklinski, the famed contract killer, but the real heart of the film is the amazing performances from the entire cast. While it's awesome to see David Schwimmer do a role he's never done before (and do it well), Ray Liotta play the same character he always plays (but do it well) and see Chris Evans--Captain America himself--play a killer in an ice cream truck, the best part is watching Michael Shannon once again prove that he is one of the best actors of this generation. He's no stranger to intensity but the level he brought to this film is enough to warrant my score!… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

theeDarkhorse

Mar 25, 2014

Its essentially The Iceman Tapes - The Movie. But its well done and this michael shannon bloke is well cast. Be sure to search kuklinksy on youtube after you've watched

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ThatFilmGuy20

Jan 16, 2019

The Iceman does a good job of exploring Richard " The Iceman" Kuklinski, although there's some spotty storytelling, but this works and it's all thanks to its lead.

Micheal Shannon embodies one of the most ruthless killers in history and he does it convincingly, he just takes over the screenThe Iceman does a good job of exploring Richard " The Iceman" Kuklinski, although there's some spotty storytelling, but this works and it's all thanks to its lead.

Micheal Shannon embodies one of the most ruthless killers in history and he does it convincingly, he just takes over the screen and demands full attention, his presence in menacing and dark, Shannon always had that mysterious psychopathic feel to him and he just hits all the marks here, I would have loved if he was backed by say a better plot but he made this film work just fine.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tss5078

Dec 2, 2013

Between 1964 and 1986, Richard Kuklinski killed as many as 250 people for the mafia. His cold, callous style and willingness to do anything, earned him the nickname, The Iceman. In 1992, The Iceman granted HBO an exclusive interview, where he talked about his life and described his crimes,Between 1964 and 1986, Richard Kuklinski killed as many as 250 people for the mafia. His cold, callous style and willingness to do anything, earned him the nickname, The Iceman. In 1992, The Iceman granted HBO an exclusive interview, where he talked about his life and described his crimes, the way someone would describe their job. This film is the dramatization of Kuklinski's story, based entirely on what he said during his interview. Boardwalk Empire's Michael Shannon stars as Kuklinski and was absolutely the perfect choice to play him. Some actors, even ones like Shannon, seem to be destine to play certain characters, it's how they make a name for themselves. Shannon is often knocked for being too cold and emotionless in his other roles, so he was essentially the perfect choice to play the Iceman. Shannon is paired with Winona Ryder and all these years later, she still manages to annoy the hell out of me. I really don't get what people see in her. The cast of this film is rounded out by some terrific cameos, by the likes of Ray Liotta, James Franco, and David Schwimmer, all of whom are terrific and add to the mystique of this film. I really did enjoy this film, but it is confusing and somewhat slow at times, slower than you wouldn't expect a film about a mafia hit-man to be. This films throws so many names at you and jumps from scene to scene and time to time so quickly, that it is a little difficult to keep track of who's who. Other than that, the performances are terrific and it's amazing how they were able to piece together a film from a simple interview, definitely worth checking out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Feb 3, 2022

Michael Shannon does what he does best in this and bring great intensity, but he can't save this movie with it's half baked, disjointed story.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NFW

Jun 25, 2015

Despite a good performance from Michael Shannon in the title role, and some entertaining scenes here and there, THE ICEMAN isn't really worth a recommendation. It's completely underdeveloped, a 2h 30min film screaming to get out of its 1h 45min run time, all topped off with uninspired,Despite a good performance from Michael Shannon in the title role, and some entertaining scenes here and there, THE ICEMAN isn't really worth a recommendation. It's completely underdeveloped, a 2h 30min film screaming to get out of its 1h 45min run time, all topped off with uninspired, cliche crime dialogue.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tsmith2744

May 27, 2013

So UPSET!! I have been dying for this movie to finally come out after I read the book some years ago. this movie was such a let down. left so much out and the stuff that was in was not even true or close to it. terribly disappointed. nothing like the book at all! will never understand whySo UPSET!! I have been dying for this movie to finally come out after I read the book some years ago. this movie was such a let down. left so much out and the stuff that was in was not even true or close to it. terribly disappointed. nothing like the book at all! will never understand why directors change from the book so much! decarlo should be turning in his grave for this disservice to him! I really wish that I did not see this movie at all! they even tried to make you feel sorry for the "Pollock!" I mean he was never sorry for anything he did, hence the name ICEMAN! grant it, maybe not everything that was in the book was true, but damn if they only followed half of the book it would have been a great movie! this movie seemed rushed, they skipped over so much and left out even more! if you read the book and you enjoyed the book, DO NOT go and see this movie then!!! you will be so disappointed as I am! what a crying shame!… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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