Review: The Ice Tower (Fantastic Fest 2025)

27 October, 2025 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 4 categories

Title: The Ice Tower
MPA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Lucile Hadzihalilovic
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Clara Pacini, August Diehl
Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

What It Is: Jeanne (Pacini) has decided to leave the orphanage where she was raised to chase a dream. It’s freezing, and she’s looking for a place to rest her head. When she finds a warm place to stay, she’s surprised to learn it’s actually a film set—and that they’re shooting a feature based on the fairy tale The Ice Queen, a story she knows well. The lead actress, Cristina (Cotillard), takes a liking to the young orphan and sees much of herself in her. Jeanne, in turn, is equally intrigued by the mysterious woman behind the Ice Queen.

What We Think: This is my first exposure to Lucile Hadzihalilovic, and it’s clear she knows how to make a film look incredible—because make no mistake, this film is simply gorgeous. It feels like a dream. Marion Cotillard is fantastic here; she’s having an absolute ball playing it up. Clara Pacini is one to watch—she’s excellent as well.

Now, for the not-so-great part: the script is dull. The pacing could be described as glacial—a very apropos (and unintentionally hilarious) word choice. I caught myself nodding off in certain parts. I was mostly bored. It’s a stunningly beautiful film that just never seems to go anywhere particularly interesting.

Our Grade: C+, This is one of those times where the film could’ve used a bit of spicing up. Had it not been so inexplicably boring, it might’ve been a real contender based on its breathtaking cinematography alone. It has strong performances, but not enough energy to fully engage. Check it out if you want a beautifully made—but not well-written—piece of French cinema. It’s a niche film, and for those in that niche, it’ll likely rate higher than the grade I’ve given it.