The Snowman

Universal Pictures | Release Date: October 20, 2017

4.0	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 131 Ratings

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AcaciaOct 28, 2017

This movie is not horrible. It is a bit confusing though. There are still some bits that were thrown in that didn’t seem to go anywhere or lead anywhere. It does get off to a slow start, I felt. But, ultimately, it wasn’t a bad movie andThis movie is not horrible. It is a bit confusing though. There are still some bits that were thrown in that didn’t seem to go anywhere or lead anywhere. It does get off to a slow start, I felt. But, ultimately, it wasn’t a bad movie and certainly held my interest for the duration. The plot may have come off better in the book (which I did not read) because it mostly seems implausible if tou put it all together.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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MrScallopsJun 19, 2019

Hollywood A-listers mixed with Sweden's finest in a dark, gritty and visually stunning thriller. A typical and predictable plot with a surprisingly minimalist Fassbender and a Ferguson that sticks out best. A slow-burner but never boring orHollywood A-listers mixed with Sweden's finest in a dark, gritty and visually stunning thriller. A typical and predictable plot with a surprisingly minimalist Fassbender and a Ferguson that sticks out best. A slow-burner but never boring or generic. Still wastes its Hollywood potential.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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shpostalOct 27, 2017

I don't know if this is Michael Fassbender's first starring role or not, but one hopes he gets another crack at it because "The Snowman" has some flaws that haven't resulted in very many positive reviews. First, the good news:I don't know if this is Michael Fassbender's first starring role or not, but one hopes he gets another crack at it because "The Snowman" has some flaws that haven't resulted in very many positive reviews. First, the good news: Fassbender is a very talented actor, and his portrayal as an alcoholic loser-detective is convincing and a departure from his usual bad guy roles. Plus, it appears the movie was shot on location in beautiful Norway, or lots of it was, and the scenic interludes make me want to visit there, with soaring mountains, rugged fjords and beautiful cities like Oslo and Bergen. On the other side of the coin, I am glad some reviewers pointed out some confusing plot lines because I felt like I had missed something along the way, and not being an idiot wondered if I just wasn't paying enough attention. Plus, the mysterious "Snowman" killer was pretty easy to figure out. What makes the movie come up short is the unnecessary baggage and a very vague connection for the murders, other than they are with one or two exceptions, women with kids. There are a few details that I simply felt had little or anything to do with the overall story, or the film failed to adequately connect the dots, so to speak. This was a missed opportunity that tried to be a chilling (no pun intended, well, yes it was) psycho thriller but just didn't quite pull it off. Not terrible, but it could have been a masterpiece maybe in some other director's hands.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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JLuis_001Nov 28, 2017

Tomas Alfredson directing, Michael Fassbender starring, a famous black novel was the source material, this movie was supposed to be huge, what the **** happened?

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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AggelosKallinisOct 20, 2017

Hollywood strikes again and the outcome is rather disappointing. As a result, we get yet one more film with the linear-cliche concept: the "good guy" wins the "bad guy" and saves the weak and incapable characters.The movie modified even theHollywood strikes again and the outcome is rather disappointing. As a result, we get yet one more film with the linear-cliche concept: the "good guy" wins the "bad guy" and saves the weak and incapable characters.The movie modified even the books basic story at a maximum level for its needs, which is totally understandable to fit the needs of a film, but, this didn't go well with the movie's plot which is boring and predictable. At about 2/3 of the duration, we get a sudden speed up of the plot while since the beginning it was all about irrelevant events and persons taking screen time (Val Kilmer). Also leaving behind an extremely complex and unexplained plot. Character development is almost non existent despite strong appearances by the main actors (Fassbender,Ferguson). In most crime-detective movies, there is some way to show how the investigation progresses but here, the main character (Harry Hole) doesn't communicate with the viewer in any way nor shows the progress of his own investigation. We get long scenes of deep thought instead, that do not contribute communication. The ending is so changed that its almost another story, without any thrill or suspense, that doesn't in any way "fill" the viewer up as neither the "villian" is given enough time (for the viewer to have emotions) nor his motives are well explained. On the bright side the movie accomplishes good winter landscapes and a somewhat okay atmosphere but these traits along with the outstanding performances, can't save this mess. 4/10… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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TVJerryOct 21, 2017

Those expecting an American style stalker flick will find this art film approach lacking. Michael Fassbender plays a flawed Norwegian detective (is there any other kind these days?). He's on the case of a serial killer who builds the titularThose expecting an American style stalker flick will find this art film approach lacking. Michael Fassbender plays a flawed Norwegian detective (is there any other kind these days?). He's on the case of a serial killer who builds the titular snow structures outside the homes of his victims. This is a stark Scandinavian production with subdued action and an even more restrained killer. While the cold gray cinematography is interesting and some of the landscapes are magnificent, Tomas Alfredson's reserved direction doesn't manage the disturbing vibe of his brilliant first film ("Let the Right One In"). Fassbinder is appropriately glum and the other performers do fine, but the monotonous pacing and muted direction result in a pretty chilly reception.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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rlindauNov 1, 2017

"I know you want it, but you can't make the pieces fit"... Harry Hole's statement to his love-interest partner sums up the movie pretty well for me. I love Nesbø's books, and I wanted very much to like this one, but it just didn't work."I know you want it, but you can't make the pieces fit"... Harry Hole's statement to his love-interest partner sums up the movie pretty well for me. I love Nesbø's books, and I wanted very much to like this one, but it just didn't work. The story is confusing, with unexplained leaps (and things that even after the end of the movie make little sense). I think Fassbender makes (or would make) a decent Hole, and the scenery was satisfyingly bleak.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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BrianMcCriticJan 18, 2018

Basically a snooze fest that is competently made and pretty well acted. The problem lies in a script that goes nowhere. The characters seem to have little motivation and it comes across in a weak script. C-

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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temptershellJan 1, 2018

Unfortunately, such high-budget production did not convince me to this type of crime novels. The film is limping in many places, the story is bland and without surprising twists and turns, and the actors themselves did not show their bestUnfortunately, such high-budget production did not convince me to this type of crime novels. The film is limping in many places, the story is bland and without surprising twists and turns, and the actors themselves did not show their best side, which is a pity because there was potential.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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KaptenVideoDec 28, 2017

One of the year’s worst-reviewed big name project has arrived. It’s another Scandinavian murder thriller – to sate the demand the producers hope exists.

Starring Michael Fassbender as famous but alcoholic Oslo cop – sorry, elite squad’s leadOne of the year’s worst-reviewed big name project has arrived. It’s another Scandinavian murder thriller – to sate the demand the producers hope exists.

Starring Michael Fassbender as famous but alcoholic Oslo cop – sorry, elite squad’s lead detective – out to catch an elusive serial killer.

If you like the „Millennium“ series, be warned: no strong female characters here. It’s all about watching the sweet but curiously expressionless face of Fassender dragging himself through mounds of snow to try and stop the killings.

The critics seem to not like the poor "Snowman" at all: 8/100 at Rotten Tomatoes, 23/100 at Metacritic. Users are comparably cold: 22/100 and 2.3/10, respectively. Don’t worry, the movie’s not actually that bad. It’s just not a gripping one.

The story unfolding on the screen is so pedestrian and lifeless that you have to be a fan of the genre, or Fassbender, to get some joy out of this.

The makers can’t hold the suspense even though there are always new murders to fall back on. Actors can make the story watchable but the result fails to ignite. I can’t even think of anything interesting to say about this.

The teenagers in the cinema, or the majority of the audience, seemed to like it though. I heard them discussing the most blood-curdling scenes later. It is true that the movie offers some not-PG-friendly blood and violence.

The impressive cast includes Charlotte Gainsbourg, Chloë Sevigny, Rebecca Ferguson, Jonas Karlsson, J.K. Simmons, Val Kilmer, Toby Jones, David Dencik, James D'Arcy, Jamie Clayton, Michael Yates, Ronan Vibert, Adrian Dunbar. If only they had something interesting to do … Kilmer at least looks interesting, like he escaped from botox clinic after series of unsuccessful experiments.

Based on a novel by Norwegian crime-writer Jo Nesbø. It is the seventh entry in detective Harry Hole series, and the first one made into a movie.

Director Tomas Alfredson has said that the production of "The Snowman " was rushed. He joined it late and reckons that up to 15% of the screenplay was not filmed. In addition, the location filming in Norway was shortened so that the production could move to London, which compromised story. So now we know.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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KfischevenOct 30, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Slow movie - attempts to build characters and plot but fails as I became so bored I closed my eyes for a few moments. Nice twist in plot that finishes the movie as one would expect.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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