The Iceman

The Iceman

Year: 2013

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Ariel Vromen

BiographyDramaThrillerCrime

This is the true story of George Gervin, nicknamed "The Iceman," who dominated the NBA as its leading scorer for four seasons. Known for his icy demeanor and remarkable scoring ability, Gervin's calculated approach and relentless drive propelled him to the top. The film explores his rise to prominence and the intense focus that defined his reign as a basketball icon.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Iceman (2013)

Trace every key event in The Iceman (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Pool hall murder after insult

A man insults Kuklinski's girlfriend during a game of pool, and he decides to take matters into his own hands. He follows the man to his car and murders him by slashing his throat. This act marks his capacity for cold, impulsive violence linked to his personal life.

Pool hall
2

Childhood abuse shapes him

As a boy, Kuklinski and his younger brother endure brutal beatings from their immigrant Polish father. The abuse helps form their emotionally disturbed, sadistic tendencies that surface later in life. The trauma remains a driving force behind his later violence.

Childhood
3

Brother's life sentence

Kuklinski's brother ends up serving a life sentence in prison for raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl. The siblings' violent environment is shown as shaping their paths. The brother's fate underscores the criminal world they inhabit.

4

Dubbing work and deception

He dubs pornographic films, but tells his wife he dubs cartoons. The cover job demonstrates how he compartmentalizes his life and hides his illegal income. It also foreshadows his ability to manipulate appearances.

Studio
5

DeMeo tests him with murder

Roy DeMeo, a powerful New York gangster, tests Kuklinski by forcing him to kill a homeless man. If he passes, DeMeo offers him a place as an enforcer and contract killer. The test marks Kuklinski's entry into the mob's violent underworld.

New York
6

Becoming an enforcer

Kuklinski begins working as an enforcer for DeMeo, taking on killings for hire. He cultivates a reputation for reliability and ruthless efficiency. This work funds his growing criminal capabilities.

7

Move to suburbia and secret job

In 1975, he moves his family into a comfortable suburban home and continues to hide his true occupation. He tells people he works at a currency trading company to maintain the facade. The contrast between his family life and underground violence deepens.

1975 Suburban home
8

Betrayal hit and closet discovery

He is ordered to kill a man who betrayed DeMeo, but finds a teenage girl hidden in the closet. Freezy almost kills her before Kuklinski intervenes. DeMeo responds by decommissioning him, threatening his family if they cross paths again.

9

Kuklinski poisons an associate

Leo Merks, DeMeo's boss, hires Freezy to kill one of DeMeo's associates. Kuklinski poisons the target with cyanide to handle the job himself. DeMeo discovers Kuklinski's independent hits and threatens the family.

10

Confrontation over bounty

Kuklinski goes to Leo Merks to collect the bounty money, but Merks refuses to pay, angry that the job wasn't untraceable. In a confrontation, Kuklinski shoots Merks dead. This act deepens his entanglement with the mob's deadly code.

11

Daughter injured and family on the run

Shortly after, Kuklinski's daughter is hospitalized following a hit-and-run by DeMeo. This tragedy pushes him and Freezy to flee to avoid retribution. The mob's reach now directly endangers his family.

12

Freezy and the family-killing plan

Freezy pressures Kuklinski to kill each other's families to prevent talking to the police. The men proceed with mutual paranoia, heightening the danger to everyone connected to them. The plan reaches a breaking point when Freezy reveals he knows Kuklinski's address.

13

Kuklinski kills Freezy

When Freezy reveals the address and implies betrayal, Kuklinski shoots him to prevent testimony. The two dangerous partners implode as trust collapses. This ends their uneasy alliance.

14

Arrest and confession

Following an undercover sting operation, Kuklinski is arrested in 1986. He admits to having committed over 100 murders across a 22-year career. He receives two life terms in prison and is separated from his wife and daughters.

1986 Prison
15

Death and reflections

In 2006, Kuklinski dies in a prison hospital from a rare inflammatory disease. Closing intertitles note that foul play was suspected because he was scheduled to testify in a Gambino underboss's trial. He leaves behind a legacy of violence and regret about harming his family.

2006 Prison hospital

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 01:16

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The Iceman Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Iceman

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Iceman

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The Iceman Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Iceman

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