Frozen (2010) Ending Explained

Frozen (2010) is a gripping thriller about friends trapped on a ski lift, and the Frozen ending is somewhat ambiguous. The film presents a starkly different narrative from the Disney animated feature of the same name, which often leads to confusion. Directed by Adam Green, this film is a nail-biting thriller set against a chillingly realistic backdrop. The story unfolds at a ski resort and follows three friends who find themselves trapped on a ski lift, suspended high above the ground with no immediate rescue in sight. As the resort shuts down for a week, the trio faces the harrowing reality of being left to endure the brutal winter elements.

Frozen is a great Adam Green movie that expertly weaves a tale of survival, fear, and the human instinct to persevere against all odds, as the friends ultimately have to decide between freezing to death or risk being torn apart by wolves. From the gripping setup to the suspenseful unfolding of events, Frozen offers a compelling exploration of survival instincts and the consequences of seemingly trivial decisions. The narrative's strength lies in its simplicity and plausibility, which makes the ordeal of the characters - Dan, Joe, and Parker - resonate deeply with the audience. The film challenges its characters - and viewers - with questions about what one might do in such a desperate situation.

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What Happens To Joe & Dan In Frozen (2010)?

All Their Efforts To Survive Were Futile

In the 2010 horror thriller Frozen, the fates of Joe and Dan are marked by a series of desperate attempts to save themselves, ultimately leading to their tragic demise. The ordeal begins when they, along with Parker, are stranded on a ski lift, facing the harrowing reality of being suspended above a snowy abyss with no immediate rescue in sight. As the hours pass and the severity of their situation escalates, they grapple with the need to take action. Dan's attempt at self-rescue is the first pivotal moment in their struggle. Realizing that waiting on the lift could lead to a slow death, Dan decides to take the risk of jumping down.

The jump ends in disaster. Dan lands awkwardly, suffering severe injuries, and fracturing both his legs. Unable to move, Dan's left to the wolves, and Parker and Joe listen to the graphic noises of the wolves tearing Dan apart. Dan's fate is not just a physical loss but also a psychological blow to the remaining characters. Nevertheless, Joe's attempt to save himself and Parker follows. Driven by desperation and the need to avoid Dan's fate, Joe carefully plans his descent. His strategy is to slowly lower himself to minimize injury. However, the plan goes awry when he encounters a pack of wolves that have been attracted by the commotion.

The wolves, a lurking threat throughout their ordeal, become an immediate danger. Joe's encounter with the wolves is intense and terrifying, leading to a violent and fatal confrontation. Both Joe and Dan's attempts at self-rescue and their subsequent demises underscore the film's themes of desperation, the will to survive, and the unforgiving nature of their circumstances. Their tragic ends serve as a harsh reminder of the fragility of human life when pitted against the relentless forces of nature.

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Does Parker Survive In Frozen (2010)?

Her Fate Is Left Ambiguous

Parker's fate in 2010's Frozen stands as a poignant testament to human endurance, yet it is shrouded in ambiguity. After witnessing the tragic ends of Joe and Dan, Parker musters the courage to descend from the ski lift, embarking on a grueling journey for survival. Her resilience is palpable as she battles severe frostbite, exhaustion, and the psychological trauma of her situation. Her determination to survive is a focal point of the film's climax, showcasing a powerful depiction of human willpower in the face of overwhelming adversity.

However, the film's conclusion leaves Parker's ultimate fate open to interpretation. In the final scenes, Parker successfully climbs down the mountain and reaches a road, a display of sheer tenacity and survival instinct. Parker manages to flag down a car that takes her to the hospital, but the film introduces an element of ambiguity at this critical juncture. Parker's eyes closing as the film ends raises questions about her survival. This moment could be interpreted as a peaceful surrender to sleep after an exhausting ordeal, or it could signify something more dire, like succumbing to her injuries.

Moreover, the extreme conditions Parker endured, coupled with the trauma and exhaustion, open up the possibility of hallucinations. The appearance of the car could be a figment of Parker's strained and desperate mind, a last glimmer of hope imagined in her dire state. This ambiguity adds a layer of complexity to the film's ending, leaving the audience to ponder the true outcome of her journey. Did Parker truly survive and get rescued, or is the film presenting a more nuanced and uncertain conclusion? This uncertainty deepens the film's impact, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer and inviting various interpretations of Parker's fate.

The Wolves In Frozen (2010) Are Real

No CGI Was Used For The Dangerous Wildlife

Unlike the CGI-enhanced wolves in The Grey, "The wolves in Frozen are as real as the danger they represent," asserts director Adam Green (via The Crimson). Contrary to some critics' assumptions that the wolves were computer-generated, Green clarifies that they were indeed real animals, intensively trained for the film. "All the wolves are real," he states. Green added:

Critics assume that they must be CGI. We had six weeks of training with a pack of wolves with the wolf man. This was the same wolf man who trained the wolves in Dances with Wolves and The Chronicles of Narnia. They are wild animals. They are unpredictable. At any moment, they could snap.

This choice to use real wolves adds a layer of authenticity to the film, heightening the sense of danger and unpredictability. The presence of these trained yet inherently wild creatures contributes significantly to the film's tense atmosphere, underscoring the harsh realities of the natural world and the primal fears it can evoke in humans.

Is Frozen (2010) Based On A True Story?

The 2010 Survival Thriller Is Well-Researched But Fictional

While Frozen is not based on a specific true story, its roots lie in the realm of plausible scenarios, drawn from director Adam Green's personal experiences and fears. Green revealed that he grew up with a deep awareness of the dangers associated with ski resorts and the mountains. This awareness, combined with his own fears, inspired the creation of Frozen. The film, therefore, while fictional, is grounded in a reality familiar to Green.

The authenticity of the setting and the scenario resonate with anyone familiar with skiing or mountainous regions, lending the film an air of credibility that enhances its impact. Green recalled his fears from his youth, explaining:

I grew up skiing in the New England area and not being able to afford to go to the real mountains up North. Not exactly real mountain skiing. And in the time periods when they were only open Friday to Sunday, and you were on that last run, and you hear the lift stop, you always had that scary thought that you were stuck.

How Realistic Is Frozen (2010)?

The Movie Is Surprisingly Accurate

Frozen's realism is a key factor that sets it apart from other thrillers. The film's depiction of the stranded trio, their reactions, and the ensuing survival struggle is grounded in a level of realism that is both believable and relatable. The characters' psychological and physical responses to their predicament are portrayed with an attention to detail that resonates with real-world survival scenarios. Furthermore, the use of a real ski resort and the incorporation of actual wildlife risks, such as the wolves, add layers of authenticity to Frozen's harsh winter setting.

The film's setting, isolated and suspended in the icy wilderness, creates a plausible scenario that could conceivably occur in reality. Frozen's simple premise makes it scary, as its adherence to realism not only enhances the film's suspense but also provokes a deeper emotional response from the audience, as the characters' fears and decisions mirror what many might feel and do in a similar situation.

The Real Meaning Of Frozen (2010)'s Ending

Frozen's ending carries a meaning beyond the immediate narrative of survival. It speaks to the human condition, the instinct for survival, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. Parker's survival serves as a powerful symbol of hope and the will to persevere. The ending is also a reminder of the respect one must have for nature and the unforeseen dangers it can present. Moreover, it underscores the psychological impact of traumatic experiences, suggesting a lasting effect on those who endure them. Frozen is not just a story of physical survival, but also a deeper commentary on the strength and vulnerability of the human psyche.

How The Frozen (2010) Ending Was Received

Responses To The Survival Horror Thriller Were Divided

While acclaim for the 2010 survival thriller Frozen wasn't universal, director Adam Green's tense story managed to win over more critics than it put off. Frozen (2010) currently has a 63% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, which gives a snapshot on the movie being somewhat divisive but well-received for the most part. Where there were criticisms of the ending of Frozen, it was often as an extension to the perceived lack of character development some reviews pointed out.

For example, critic James Greenberg (via THR) pointed out a criticism echoed in multiple reviews of Frozen that mentioned the ending - the emotional impact would have been much greater if the script hadn't made Joe, Dan, and Parker into underdeveloped and unlikable characters. However, he was complimentary about the horror aspects of the final scenes when it came to them delivering grizzly, uncomfortable moments:

Dan is the first to go. He decides he can survive the jump and go get help. Wrong. He lands with a thud (kudos to sound mixer Douglas J. Cameron for this and other weather-related effects) and smashes his legs, the bone protruding grotesquely through the skin. This is the first of several moments when even the hardiest filmgoers may turn their head away from the screen. When a pack of wolves (convincingly shot by Will Barratt and crisply edited by Ed Marx) get a whiff, that’s the end of him. Now the despair sets in, along with severe frostbite. Joe is next to go. He fairs a little better initially and works his way across the cable to a ladder. The wolves reappear and chase him down the hill. When he doesn’t return with help, that leaves poor, frozen Parker on her own. A few agonizing moments later, she’s on the ground to meet her fate.

However, as positive as this take on the horror elements of the ending of 2010's Frozen, Greenberg followed it up with a criticism. He explains that, while filled with many gruesome moments, the characters in Frozen simply aren't compelling enough for the deaths to have the emotional impact that they should:

One of the big problems here that prevents the audience from getting swept away, rather than just oohing and ahhing at the horrific happenings, is that you don’t give a damn about these people. Green is not specific enough in the writing to make them seem like real characters with their own history, and when he does try it’s awkward and heavy-handed. And for their part, the actors are too stiff to sell it.

However, it's clear that Frozen was divisive among critics. Where Greenberg and many others saw the central trio as unlikable, others saw them as a highlight. For example, Matt Decristo's review for The Movie Buff specifically mentions the characters as a highlight of the 2010 movie:

While the characters are typical annoying college aged people, I enjoyed the drama between best friend Joe and girlfriend Parker, the latter of which has seemingly replaced the friend. The blame game that erupts as the situation escalates is also quite believable. The beautiful Rileah Vanderbilt has a minor role and should have been more involved.

The critics that enjoyed Frozen like Matt Decristo have similar feelings that seem the polar opposite of the negative responses from the likes of Greenberg. Ultimately, the ending of Frozen (2010) was shot incredibly well - as is pointed out by even the most critical of reviews — and seems to be the least debated aspect of the wider survival horror.

Source: The Crimson