Jo Nesbo is one of the best-known Norwegian writers, specializing in genre novels crime, among which the series starring the detective stands out Harry Hole, brilliant in his work but with unorthodox methods. Of thirteen books dedicated to this character, only the seventh, Snømannen, has now become a film. It’s about The Snowman (here the review), directed by the Swedish director Thomas Alfredson (also known for let me in And The mole) and starring the Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

It was originally supposed to be Martin Scorsese to direct the film, remaining however as only executive producer. The production of The Snowman as is known, it was in fact rather troubled and took place in a short period of time. A too short period according to Alfredson, which would not have allowed the script to be adequately prepared (so much so that some parts would not have been shot) and its staging. Problems then also encountered by critics and the public, who soundly rejected the film.

In fact, one can notice a great unexpressed potential, which does not find justice due to some gaps in the story. Revisiting the film today is still recommended to fans of the genre, who will be able to come across a vision with several fascinating elements. First, however, it will be useful to delve into some curiosities related to the film. Continuing here in the reading it will in fact be possible to find further details relating to the plot and al cast of actors. Finally, the main ones will also be listed streaming platforms containing the film in their catalogue.

The plot and the cast of The Snowman

The film therefore has the detective as its protagonist Harry Holewho finds himself having to solve a complex and horrific case: that of the serial killer who signs his murders by making snowmen on the scene of the crime and therefore renamed The Snowman. A real sadistic game develops between the two, with the killer provoking the detective by leaving him clues which, however, do not seem to lead to any useful discovery to reveal his identity.

Fearing an elusive serial killer long thought dead, the detective hires the brilliant recruit Katrine Bratt, to help him connect some unsolved cases from long ago, with the most recent and brutal. Proceeding like this, the two hope to bring out the psychopath who has been watching them for who knows how long. If they fail in their investigation, however, an unthinkable evil will strike once again with the advent of the next snowfall.

As anticipated, to interpret the detective Harry Hole there is the actor Michael Fassbenderwhile Katrine Bratt has the face of the actress Rebecca Ferguson. The actor Val Kilmer instead he plays Gert Rafto, an alcoholic detective. If you listen to the film in its original language, you will notice that Kilmer does not speak in his real voice. The actor was in fact dubbed due to throat cancer. Then the actors play in the film Charlotte Gainsbourg as Rakel Fauke, JK Simmons in those of Arve Stop e Chloe Sevigny in those of Sylvia Ottersen.

The Snowman: the explanation of the ending

To understand the ending of the film, its first scene is essential. In it we see a boy and his mother Sarah being visited by his abusive biological father, a police officer named Jonas. He sexually assaults Sarah, who threatens to tell his wife about their illegitimate child. When Jonas leaves, Sarah follows in the car with her son but during the chase, he falls into a catatonic state, letting go of the wheel. The boy runs away as the car crashes into a lake with his mother who, left in the car, sinks.

Just that child, as an adult, will turn out to be the killer. His name is Mathias and throughout the film he is known as the new partner of Rakel, Harry Hole’s ex-girlfriend. Mathias grew up with the belief that his mother had abandoned him and therefore he kills women who reminded him of the mother, without however realizing that it was his father who did not want to. Thus he builds a particularly intricate story, which however for the reasons highlighted above was unable to express itself at its best.

The trailer of The Snowman and where to watch the film in streaming and on TV

You can enjoy The Snowman thanks to its presence on some of the most popular streaming platforms on the net today. This is in fact available in the catalogs of Rakuten TV, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Videos. To see it, once the reference platform has been chosen, it will be enough to rent the single film or subscribe to a general subscription. In this way you will be able to watch it in total comfort and at the best video quality. The film is also present in the television schedule of Tuesday 23 March at 21:00 On the canal 20 Mediaset.

Source: IMDb