'The Ice Tower' (2025) Movie Review

When 15-year-old orphan runaway Jeanne (Clara Pacini) breaks into a theater to sleep for the night, she discovers the building is being used to film an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, which just so happens to be her favorite fairy tale. As she insinuates herself into production, she falls under the thrall of Cristina (Marion Cotillard), the film’s demanding, enigmatic diva, and the two develop a mutual, deepening obsession. So goes The Ice Tower, the new film from Evolution and Earwig director, Lucile Hadzihalilovic.

 

This is one of those movies at which some will lob claims that “nothing happens.” It’s dreamy and esoteric, deliberately—some will say slowly—paced, and more than surface level action, it hinges almost completely on vibe and tone and mood. While that’s certainly not going to be for everyone, those who allow themselves to sink into the feel and luxuriate in the drifting, dreamy timbre will find a rewarding experience. That’s the dividing line for audiences, and, at close to two hours, even for those on this wavelength, the film stretches this to the brink. 

 

[Related Reading: 'Evolution' Movie Review]

True to fable form, Jeanne’s adventure parallels the very myth that so captures her imagination. Where she once used fantasy to escape a dreary, bleak reality, this leads her to an equally grim, dire situation. Her mutual fascination with Cristina deepens and darkens, twisting and turning. It touches on the corruption of power, taking control of your own life, and manages to be mesmerizing and immersive in moments while keeping you at arm’s length at others. 

The Ice Tower as a film, feels oddly out of time and space. Set against brutalist ‘70s architecture, it takes place largely in a single location, but within that location, sets transport the players to mountains and castles and ponds. Intrinsically linked to Anderson’s fairy tale, it hearkens back to earlier times, and as a filmmaker, Hadzihalilovic yearns for the silent era, as entire scenes unspool without words. Even what dialogue there is, is largely oblique as little is directly stated. The film was shown in a silent screening at a film festival. 

 

[Related Reading: Lucile Hadzihalilovic's Sci-Fi Body Horror 'Evolution' Delivers a Surreal, Disturbing Trailer]

And the film works within this framework largely thanks to the two tremendous performances as its center. Cotillard is both frigid and alluring, a tyrant who strikes fear into those around her, but that can’t be ignored. And Pacini is more than game to stand toe to toe with her costar every step of the way. They don’t need words; they communicate everything that needs to be said in other ways.

 

The Ice Tower is sure to leave some viewers cold; there’s a lot that’s challenging and obtuse, and that may or may not be worth the journey for everyone. But for others, the parable will serve as a reminder that snow and ice melt, and that winter gives way to spring and hope and new possibilities. [Grade: B]