Meanwhile, Holcolme's home life remains somewhat underdeveloped, particularly with his wife, who only appears on screen for a sum total of about five minutes; but even those scenes strike a chord to some extent, as they only add to Holcolme's internal conflict. That said, we never see his role as a father and husband play directly into the story, and as a result the character doesn't feel quite whole.
Surprisingly, Hudgens also does fine work as the damaged prostitute-turned-stripper Cindy, who ends up playing a much more significant role than initially suspected. Alone, Hudgens doesn't evoke anything special, but her scenes with Cage are very strong, and their relationship becomes the driving force behind the characters, adding depth to both of their story arcs. Really, this is where Cage's Holcolme flourishes as a caring person.
Likewise, Cusack does an excellent job portraying the deranged Robert Hansen. Unlike in most crime thrillers, the actor has almost equal screen time to Cage, though Cusack's scenes are much more understated. Hansen rarely speaks as he meticulously plans every step of his murders, covering his tracks along the way. We get a glimpse into his thought process firsthand, and we get a distinct sense of the killer inside him as the film progresses. Even when he's not in the company of his victims, Cusack's character chills. But perhaps even more disturbing than the scenes where he's alone are the ones where he's interacting with his friends and family. The exchanges he shares with his wife and kids are especially unsettling, and Cusack effortlessly transitions between the two drastically different sides of Hansen's coin.
Naturally, it takes some time before Cusack and Cage are put in a room together -- and admittedly, their shared screen time is short-lived -- but when they do finally come face to face, it's the highlight of the film.
In general, the performances here are solid. It's Scott Walker's script that is Frozen Ground's fatal flaw. While the characters are fairly engaging, the film's straightforward presentation and by-the-numbers procedural style are boring and forgettable. In terms of story, this crime thriller barely stacks up to an average episode of NCIS. Though it's based on a true story, it seems that The Frozen Ground fails to take any creative liberties or play to its strengths. As much as the actors attempt to infuse life into the story, ultimately, you'll probably forget about the plot and how each character got from one place to the next.
Beyond its star power, The Frozen Ground is a cold and dreary drama that has little going for it. The narrative isn't muddled or confusing per se (in fact, it may be too simple), but it is certainly bland and a bit predictable. Nevertheless, Cage and Cusack are definite draws, and their commanding screen presences may justify a ticket purchase for some.
