The Snowman (2017) – When the First Snow Falls, So Does Blood

“When snow blankets the land, a killer’s footprints lead deeper into darkness.” 

Step into the frozen heart of Norway with The Snowman (2017), a grim and atmospheric crime thriller adapted from Jo Nesbø’s bestselling novel. Blending stunning Nordic landscapes with grisly murders and twisted psychology, the film invites audiences into a world where innocence is fleeting—and nothing stays buried under the snow.

The story follows detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender), a brilliant but troubled investigator haunted by alcoholism and personal demons. When a woman vanishes during the season’s first snowfall, Harry discovers a sinister pattern: a serial killer who taunts police with chilling snowmen left at each crime scene, signaling that the killer’s spree has only just begun.

Director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) crafts a haunting visual atmosphere, capturing the stark beauty of icy fjords and silent forests blanketed in white. Yet beneath the film’s breathtaking scenery lies an undercurrent of dread, as Harry races to connect the dots before more lives are claimed.

Though the film boasts strong performances and gorgeous cinematography, The Snowman received criticism for its uneven pacing and a plot riddled with confusing gaps—largely due to an infamously troubled production. Despite this, Fassbender delivers a compelling portrayal of a man teetering on the edge, while Rebecca Ferguson adds depth as his determined colleague Katrine Bratt.

The Snowman remains a chilling slice of Nordic noir, filled with eerie imagery, brutal murders, and the sobering message that sometimes, monsters hide in plain sight—even in a winter wonderland.