Is this a horror movie?

Not in the sense of monsters or slashers. It's a psychological drama with a very heavy, unsettling atmosphere. The 'horror' is in the intensity of the obsession and the coldness of the characters.

Do I need to know the Snow Queen story first?

It helps to know the basics—a cold queen, a mirror, and a lost child—but the movie explains enough of the 'film within a film' that you won't be lost.

Is there any inappropriate content for a 13-year-old?

There's some mild thematic intensity and the 'alluring' nature of the actress is played up, but it's generally free of graphic violence or explicit sex. It's the 'vibe' that is mature, not necessarily the specific scenes.

Why is the IMDb rating so much lower than the critics' score?

This is a classic 'arthouse' divide. Critics love the cinematography and themes; general audiences often find it too slow or 'pretentious' because it doesn't have a traditional payoff.

The Ice Tower – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Ice Tower

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2025

77%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A surreal, slow-burn French drama where a teen's obsession with a movie star blurs the line between a film set and a fairy tale.

81%

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The Ice Tower

movie

15, 2025

77%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A surreal, slow-burn French drama where a teen's obsession with a movie star blurs the line between a film set and a fairy tale.

81%

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Screenwise Verdict

The Ice Tower is a beautiful, chilly, and deeply weird movie. It is effectively an arthouse coming-of-age story wrapped in the aesthetics of a fairy tale. If you have a teen who is into 'A24 vibes' or wants to see something that doesn't follow the standard Hollywood script, this is a strong pick.

However, it is a mood piece. It doesn't hand you answers, and it doesn't try to be likable. It’s the kind of film you watch for the cinematography and the feeling it leaves in your gut, rather than for a satisfying plot resolution. If your family is used to fast-paced streaming hits, this might feel like a chore, but for the right cinephile kid, it's a gem.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13 and up. The themes of obsession and the slow, psychological nature of the storytelling require a level of maturity that younger kids just won't have yet.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It explores the intense, often messy emotional world of a 15-year-old orphan. While not 'clean' in a Disney sense, it deals with identity and the search for connection without being exploitative.

Imaginative

The film-within-a-film structure based on The Snow Queen is visually striking and conceptually clever. It uses the cold, sterile environment of a movie set to mirror the fairy tale's icy themes.

Safe

Released on Shudder and directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović, expect a heavy, unsettling atmosphere. It is more about psychological tension and 'creepy vibes' than jump scares or gore, but it is definitely for the older crowd.

Enriching

Excellent for media literacy. It forces the viewer to think about how we idolize performers and the difference between a character and the person playing them.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Atmospheric storytelling that feels more like a dream (or a nightmare) than a standard teen drama.
Meta-cinematic layers that will appeal to kids interested in acting, filmmaking, or how movies are constructed.
Strong lead performances that capture the awkward, desperate intensity of being fifteen and looking for a role model.
A unique take on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen that avoids every single cliché of the typical adaptation.

⚠

What to Watch For

The pacing is notoriously slow. If your kid needs explosions or a fast-moving plot to stay engaged, they will be bored within twenty minutes.
Since it is on Shudder, there is an underlying sense of dread. It is not a 'horror' movie in the traditional sense, but it is designed to make you feel uneasy.
It is a French-language film. Unless your kid is fluent, they will be reading subtitles for the duration.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Jeanne was so drawn to Cristina? Was it the actress she liked, or the character of the Snow Queen?"
"How did the movie set feel different from the 'real world' in the story?"
"Does seeing how a movie is made make the final product feel less magical, or more?"
"What did the 'Ice Tower' represent for Jeanne?"

Deep Dive

The Lucile Hadžihalilović Factor

If you aren't familiar with the director, Lucile Hadžihalilović, you should know she specializes in 'dream logic.' Her previous films like Innocence and Evolution are famous for their eerie, isolated settings and children navigating strange, adult-imposed rules. The Ice Tower continues this trend, using a 1970s-era film set as a sort of laboratory for Jeanne's obsession.

Not Your Average Snow Queen

Forget Frozen. This isn't about sisterly love or catchy power ballads. This version of the Snow Queen is a distant, alluring, and potentially dangerous figure. By focusing on a teen watching the filming of the story, the movie asks smart questions about the artifice of celebrity. Cristina, the actress, is literally playing a character who freezes hearts, and Jeanne's attempt to get close to her feels like a moth flying toward a very cold flame.

How to Watch It

This is a 'lights off, phones away' movie. Because it relies so heavily on atmosphere and subtle visual cues, it’s a great candidate for a family movie night where you actually want to discuss the film afterward. It’s currently streaming on Shudder and AMC+, which tells you exactly where its heart lies: in the intersection of drama and psychological thriller. If your kid liked the moody intensity of something like The Virgin Suicides or the surrealism of Pan's Labyrinth, they'll find a lot to chew on here.

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