Ice

Ice

Year: 2017

Runtime: 15 mins

Language: Estonian

Director: Anna Hints

Drama

Harri, a lieutenant colonel in the Estonian army and divorced, struggles to connect with his ten-year-old son, only seeing him during school breaks. Hoping to strengthen their bond, he plans an adventurous winter trip to a remote island. When they miss the last ferry, Harri makes a risky decision to cross the frozen sea via a precarious ice road, leading them into an unexpected and potentially dangerous situation.

Ice (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Ice (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the stark, wind‑swept wilderness of Estonia’s frozen coastline, the world narrows to the thin glaze of ice that stretches between mainland and a solitary, remote island. The endless white landscape is beautiful and unforgiving, a place where every breath becomes visible and every step is measured against the ever‑shifting surface beneath. This isolated outpost, cut off from the bustle of everyday life, sets the stage for a quiet, tense drama that feels as much a meditation on solitude as it is an adventure.

Harri, a lieutenant colonel in the Estonian army, carries the weight of a disciplined career and a recent divorce. Though his rank commands respect, his personal life is marked by a growing distance from his ten‑year‑old son, a boy he only sees during brief school breaks. Their interactions are polite but strained, each encounter a reminder of a bond that has frayed under the pressures of duty and separation. Harri’s longing to bridge that gap drives him to seek a moment that might redefine their relationship.

Determined to create a shared experience, Harri plans an ambitious winter excursion to the isolated island, hoping the harsh environment will force them to rely on one another. When the last ferry departs without them, the pair faces a stark choice: turn back and abandon the trip, or brave the precarious ice road that carves a fragile path across the frozen sea. The decision to cross the slick, glittering expanse introduces an undercurrent of danger that looms over their quest, hinting at the thin line between courage and recklessness.

The film’s tone is icy and contemplative, blending the raw beauty of the Arctic setting with the inner chill of unspoken emotions. The relentless cold becomes a character in its own right, reflecting the uncertainties that hover between father and son. As the ice groans beneath their boots, the audience feels the tension of each step, the promise of connection, and the lingering question of what lies ahead when the world is reduced to silence, snow, and the fragile bridge of frozen water.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 16:52

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Father-son bonding stories like in Ice

Stories where a shared adventure helps a parent and child reconnect.If you enjoyed the father-son journey in Ice, you'll appreciate these movies about parents and children reconnecting through shared adventures. These films explore themes of responsibility, vulnerability, and the quiet moments that rebuild broken bonds.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with emotional distance between a parent and child, often due to divorce, work, or past mistakes. A planned trip or challenge throws them together, forcing cooperation and revealing character. The climax is not an external victory, but the internal breakthrough of mutual understanding and renewed connection.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their central focus on repairing familial bonds through action rather than words, blending medium emotional weight with a hopeful, steady pace. The atmosphere is often introspective and resilient, set against evocative natural backdrops.

Calculated survival movies similar to Ice

Stories where characters must rely on careful planning and resilience to survive nature's challenges.For viewers who liked the tense ice road crossing in Ice, this list features movies about survival against natural elements. These stories emphasize careful choices, resilience, and the mental strength required to overcome a hostile environment.

tenseperseverancepainstakingresilientsurvivalinspiringmethodical

Narrative Summary

The plot hinges on a critical, risky decision made in a remote natural setting. The story unfolds methodically, showcasing the step-by-step challenges and consequences of that choice. Conflict is primarily against the environment, with success depending on competence, patience, and emotional control rather than brute force.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific vibe of medium-tension survival built on a steady pace. The experience is defined by a palpable sense of risk, a focus on practical problem-solving, and an inspiring undercurrent of human resilience against imposing natural forces.

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Ice Summary

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Ice Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Ice

More About Ice

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