The Snowman Review

The Snowman is fantastic addition to the serial killer/detective genre from Director Tomas Alfredson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - 2011)

Tomas Alfredson The Snowman is a brilliant murder mystery story that has some unfortunate setbacks. It's a well paced plot despite some editing problems (mostly due to the complete script failing to finish filming) involving some subplots only briefly appearing without the payoff.
There's a great ensemble cast hidden in this film. Most importantly Micheal Fassbender (X-Men: Apocalypse) as the lead - Harry Hole, Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation) and J.K. Simmons (Whiplash). Although these characters are rather well defined, the supporting characters needed more time to become thoroughly developed.
The cast manage to show some depth to their characters rather easily due to some wealthy dialogue written by Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Hossein Amini (Drive) and Søren Sveistrup (TV series The Killing). 
Tomas Alfredson directs this wonderfully and captures some beautiful long shots showing a Norway flooded by snow. He understood the atmosphere of the story and it shows in every scene whether it be in a car and claustrophobic or displaying the gruesomeness of a crime-scene.
What adds an extra element to The Snowman's ambiance is the score by Marco Beltrami (Logan). It's heavy, emotional, mysterious and almost horrifying. It's a true companion to what's visually on screen.
The Snowman has problems yet ploughs through and manages to shine in places. For anyone who enjoys murder mysteries, especially serial killer plots - this is going to be worth watching.

Mr. Cynic rates this a 7/10