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Drama thriller

The Snowman (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Snowman (2017) movie poster

The Snowman is a 2017 drama thriller directed by Tomas Alfredson, starring Val Kilmer as Rafto, J.K. Simmons and Toby Jones. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $43.1 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. Critics gave it 7% on Rotten Tomatoes and 23 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
7%
worldwide gross
$43.1M
Echo Score
38
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The Snowman (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Tomas Alfredson
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$35M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Snowman About?

The premise of The Snowman without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

When winter descends, a detective investigates a disappearance linked to the first snowfall of the year. Partnered with a young officer, he delves into a complex case involving years of secrets and a dangerous killer. They race against time to uncover the truth and prevent further loss before the next snowfall arrives.

The Snowman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • snow
  • police investigation
  • serial killer
  • promiscuous wife
  • missing woman
  • snowman
  • promiscuous woman
  • tied feet
  • oslo norway
  • bergen norway
  • telemark norway
  • severed head
+38 more
  • severed finger
  • severed leg
  • severed arm
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship
  • decapitation
  • little girl
  • texting
  • head shot off
  • murder disguised as suicide
  • murder of twin sister
  • death of twin sister
  • twin sister
  • confiscating a gun
  • stove
  • oven
  • hit in the face with a gun
  • gun in the oven
  • cheer
  • record collection
  • orphan
  • echo
  • sleep
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • secretly recorded
  • secretly photographed
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • ex husband ex wife kiss
  • sitting on a bed
  • suffocation
  • choking
  • knocked unconscious
  • contest winner
  • fireworks
  • celebration
  • deleting files
  • black and white photograph
  • duffel bag
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Cast & crew

The Snowman Cast & Characters

Val Kilmer leads the cast as Rafto, with J.K. Simmons as Arve Støp and Toby Jones as DC Svensson. Directed by Tomas Alfredson; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Snowman

· 10 more
From the director

More from Tomas Alfredson

More films directed by Tomas Alfredson, best-rated first: Let the Right One In, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alfons och hemlige Mållgan and Aja baja, Alfons Åberg.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Snowman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Snowman 7% on Rotten Tomatoes and 23 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

38 /100

The Snowman Echo Score Breakdown

In its combination of notable visual craftsmanship and pervasive narrative shortcomings, The Snowman delivers an uneven viewing experience. Viewers frequently highlight the striking cinematography and icy production design, yet point to disjointed direction and choppy editing that undermine the film’s momentum. The ensemble cast contributes moments of intensity, but character arcs feel underdeveloped and emotional stakes never fully crystallize. The result is a thriller that impresses visually but ultimately fails to coalesce into a satisfying whole.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    The film’s art direction and visual craft reveal moments of strength in sweeping snow scenes and atmospheric production design. In terms of cinematography, the film consistently achieves a cold, immersive palette that supports its thriller aims. However, the directing approach feels unfocused, and editing choices often disrupt scene transitions. Low pitfalls in pacing and assembly emerge, resulting in an overall juggle between compelling imagery and jarring cuts.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    Acting performances display occasional depth, with lead cast members delivering measured, if understated, interpretations. When it comes to character development, however, the film struggles to establish coherent backstories or emotional stakes, leaving several figures feeling peripheral. Chemistry among the ensemble is uneven, with only sporadic moments of genuine connection. Ultimately, character and emotional resonance remain undermined by limited narrative investment.

  • Story & Flow 25

    The story and narrative flow suffer from fragmented structure, missing sequences, and abrupt shifts that impede coherence. Plot progression lacks clear setup or resolution, which leads to an anti-climactic conclusion without adequate payoff. Pacing is frequently irregular, oscillating between drawn-out exposition and rushed developments, while originality is overshadowed by generic thriller tropes. The result is a confusing and unengaging storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory design, the film’s visual style is consistently stark, with a restrained color palette that reinforces its cold atmosphere. Soundtrack contributions generate tension in key moments, and practical sound effects deliver realistic impact. Yet cohesion between the score, sound design, and visual motifs is inconsistent, occasionally undercutting built suspense. Overall, the sensory experience remains compelling at its best and uneven elsewhere.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    Rewatch appeal is limited by the film’s structural gaps and unresolved narrative threads that diminish lasting engagement. Although some sequences gain unintentional humor on subsequent viewings, the absence of coherent payoff and character clarity discourages repeat watches. The lack of a satisfying conclusion and lingering plot holes reduce overall replay value. Consequently, the experience offers little incentive for revisitation.

Plot

The Snowman Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Snowman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the moon descended on the tranquil town of Brighton, a soft layer of snow blanketed the streets, enveloping them in a peaceful hush. In the midst of this picturesque scene, young James stirred awake, his excitement bubbling as he took in the winter wonderland that had emerged. He dedicated hours to crafting a grand snowman, his imagination stoked by the crisp, fresh air.

Full summary

The whole story of The Snowman, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Snowman Box Office & Budget

The Snowman grossed $43.1 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $6.7 million came from the US and Canada and $36.4 million (84%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$43.1M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$6.7M
International
$36.4M
Budget
$35M
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Videos

The Snowman Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer International Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Snowman?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What activity does young James engage in during the snowy morning?

Cars

Cars in The Snowman

29 cars on screen, including the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse W463 and the 2016 BMW 330e F30.

All 29 cars
  • 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse W463 in The Snowman 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse W463 Main role
  • 2016 BMW 330e F30 in The Snowman 2016 BMW 330e F30 Important role
  • 2014 Tesla Model S in The Snowman 2014 Tesla Model S Important role
  • 1980 Volvo 245 in The Snowman 1980 Volvo 245 Important role
Details

The Snowman Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Snjegovic” and “El hombre de nieve”.

Also known as
  • Snjegovic
  • El hombre de nieve
  • Schneemann - Bald fällt der erste Schnee
  • L'uomo di neve
  • Le Bonhomme de neige
  • El muñeco de nieve
  • Kardan Adam
  • Boneco de Neve
  • Snemanden
  • Сніговик
  • Снешко
  • Снеговик
+23 more
  • Hóember
  • Schneemann
  • Ο χιονάνθρωπος
  • Lumiukko
  • Pierwszy Śnieg
  • Снежния човек
  • Snømannen
  • איש השלג
  • O Boneco de Neve
  • Snehuliak
  • 雪人
  • Sněhulák
  • 스노우맨
  • Snömannen
  • Sniegavīrs
  • แฮร์รี่ โฮล กับคดีฆาตกรมนุษย์หิมะ
  • Sniego senis
  • 雪中罪
  • Snežak
  • Omul de zăpadă
  • スノーマン 雪闇の殺人鬼
  • Snjegović
  • Sát Nhân Người Tuyết, თოვლის კაცი

Seen The Snowman?

FAQ

The Snowman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Snowman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Snowman?

The Snowman runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was The Snowman released?

The Snowman was released on October 20, 2017.

Who directed The Snowman?

The Snowman was directed by Tomas Alfredson.

More films by Tomas Alfredson

Who is in the cast of The Snowman?

The Snowman stars Val Kilmer as Rafto, J.K. Simmons as Arve Støp and Toby Jones as DC Svensson, among 14 credited actors.

How much did The Snowman make at the box office?

The Snowman grossed $43.1 million worldwide ($6.7 million domestic, $36.4 million international) on a budget of $35 million.

How is The Snowman rated?

The Snowman has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, 23 on Metacritic and 52% on TMDB.

Does The Snowman have a post-credit scene?

No. The Snowman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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