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The Ice Road

"The Ice Road" is a 2021 American action thriller film written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"The Ice Road" is a 2021 American action thriller film written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh. It stars Liam Neeson as an ice-road truck driver who helps lead a rescue mission after a diamond mine collapses in northern Canada. The film was released on Netflix in the United States and Canada on June 25, 2021.

Premise

The film follows a group of truck drivers attempting to deliver rescue equipment across frozen lakes and winter roads after a mine collapse traps workers in northern Canada.

Cast and characters

The cast includes Liam Neeson, Laurence Fishburne, Benjamin Walker, Amber Midthunder, Marcus Thomas, Holt McCallany, Martin Sensmeier, Matt McCoy, and Matt Salinger.

Production and release

"The Ice Road" was written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh and distributed by Netflix. It was released digitally in the United States and Canada on June 25, 2021.

The film received mixed reviews from critics. A sequel titled "Ice Road: Vengeance" was released in 2025.

Key facts

  • "The Ice Road" follows truck drivers on a dangerous rescue mission across frozen terrain in northern Canada.
  • The plot centers on a collapsed diamond mine that traps miners underground.
  • Liam Neeson plays Mike McCann, an ice-road truck driver.
  • The film was written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh.
  • Netflix released the film in the United States and Canada on June 25, 2021.
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Canadian context

The film is set in northern Canada and uses Canadian ice roads, frozen lakes, and a diamond mine as central story elements, making it directly relevant to Canadian geography and resource extraction themes.

Frequently asked questions

What is "The Ice Road" about?
It is about truck drivers crossing dangerous frozen roads to deliver rescue equipment after a mine collapse traps workers in northern Canada.
Who directed "The Ice Road"?
Jonathan Hensleigh wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in "The Ice Road"?
The film stars Liam Neeson and Laurence Fishburne, with Benjamin Walker, Amber Midthunder, Marcus Thomas, Holt McCallany, Martin Sensmeier, Matt McCoy, and Matt Salinger.
When was "The Ice Road" released?
It was released on June 25, 2021, on Netflix in the United States and Canada.
Is "The Ice Road" based on another work?
It was influenced by the 1953 film "The Wages of Fear."

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3758814/
    Supports: Plot synopsis for the 2021 film and its rescue premise
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ice_Road
    Supports: Writer/director, cast, release date, sequel mention, and influence from The Wages of Fear
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_ice_road
    Supports: Genre, director, runtime, release date, and synopsis
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81438065
    Supports: Official release platform, cast, genre, and synopsis
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-ice-road-movie-review-2021
    Supports: Setting in far northern Manitoba and convoy premise