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Frozen River

2008 · Movie · R · 97 min · ★ 6.6 · 85% critics

DramaCrime

A struggling mother in a bleak border town is left scrambling for money to keep her family afloat. She forms an uneasy partnership with a local woman from a nearby reservation, taking risky work smuggling people across a frozen river while pressure from authorities and harsh conditions closes in.

Where to watch

Watch free on Tubi — also streaming on Sony Pictures Core.

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Details
Years
2008
Release date
2008-03-26
Language
English
Rated
R
Runtime
97 min
Max quality
HD
Critic score
85/100
TMDB rating
6.6/10 (355 votes)
About

If you like grounded, tense dramas about desperation and moral gray areas, this may click, especially if you enjoyed Wendy and Lucy or A Simple Plan; Not for you if you want upbeat stories or fast action.

Pros: gripping tension throughout; strong lead performances; bleak, authentic setting | Cons: very depressing tone; slow, maudlin pacing; some implausible moments

Themes

  • trailer park
  • illegal immigration
  • human trafficking
  • border crossing
  • snow
  • undocumented immigrant
  • new york state
  • native american reservation
  • woman director
  • canadian border

Awards & recognition

  • Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Award · 2008
  • Academy AwardBest Actress · 2009 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Original Screenplay · 2009 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Courtney Hunt