The Frozen Ground

Based on the real-life hunt for a serial killer in early-1980s Alaska, this thriller covers familiar territory but benefits from solid performances from Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and Vanessa Hudgens

Based on the real-life hunt for a serial killer in early-1980s Alaska, this thriller covers familiar territory but benefits from solid performances from Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and Vanessa Hudgens.

Another plus point is the authentically seamy scene setting amid the bars and strip-joints where the killer found his prey. Cusack departs from his typical nice guy roles to play the outwardly respectable killer, Robert Hansen; former Disney starlet Hudgens plays a teenage prostitute who manages to escape from his clutches and Cage is the tenacious state trooper determined to bring Hansen to justice.