10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Frozen Lake (2015)

Description: The Swedish version of Wallander shares Frozen Lake's melancholic tone and exploration of crime's psychological toll. Both feature detectives whose personal struggles mirror their cases, with Sweden's bleak landscapes creating similar atmospheric tension.

Fact: Krister Henriksson became so associated with the role that locals would report crimes to him. The series was shot in Ystad, where the novels are set. Kenneth Branagh later starred in an English adaptation.

Description: Like Frozen Lake, The Killing is a slow-burning crime drama that delves deep into the psychological and emotional impact of a crime on a small community. Both series feature strong female leads navigating complex investigations in harsh, atmospheric settings.

Fact: The Killing is an American adaptation of the Danish series Forbrydelsen. It was initially canceled after two seasons but revived due to fan demand. The show's rain-soaked Seattle setting became a character in itself.

Description: This Scandinavian noir shares Frozen Lake's bleak atmosphere and exploration of societal issues through crime. Like Frozen Lake, it features an unconventional female detective and uses its harsh environment (the Øresund Bridge) as a metaphor for division.

Fact: The original series spawned multiple international adaptations. Sofia Helin's character Saga Norén became iconic for her autistic traits. The show's opening sequence with the body on the bridge is one of TV's most memorable crime scene reveals.

Description: This Jane Campion series is perhaps the closest to Frozen Lake thematically and aesthetically - both feature remote, watery landscapes and investigations into missing girls that expose community secrets. Elisabeth Moss's detective shares Frozen Lake's protagonist's determination and vulnerability.

Fact: Jane Campion became the first female Palme d'Or winner for The Piano before creating this. The New Zealand landscape was intentionally made to feel like a character. Holly Hunter's mysterious character was partly inspired by real-life spiritual communities.

Description: Like Frozen Lake, Happy Valley features a tough yet emotionally complex female lead policing in a rural community. Both explore how past traumas haunt present investigations, with harsh landscapes reflecting the characters' inner turmoil.

Fact: Sarah Lancashire's performance won a BAFTA. Writer Sally Wainwright based the series on real police work in West Yorkshire. The title ironically references the area's drug problems rather than being genuinely 'happy'.

Description: Broadchurch shares Frozen Lake's focus on a tight-knit community shattered by crime, with stunning coastal landscapes mirroring the wintry isolation of Frozen Lake. Both explore grief, secrets, and the ripple effects of tragedy.

Fact: The identity of the killer in Season 1 was kept secret from most cast members during filming. Olivia Colman and David Tennant's performances received widespread acclaim. The show boosted tourism to its filming locations in Dorset.

Description: Like Frozen Lake, The Fall is a character-driven crime drama with a strong female lead (Gillian Anderson's Stella Gibson) pursuing a complex case. Both explore themes of obsession and feature atmospheric cinematography that makes the setting feel like another character.

Fact: Jamie Dornan was cast as the killer before becoming famous for Fifty Shades. The show was shot in Belfast but set in London. Gillian Anderson helped develop her character's distinctive wardrobe and mannerisms.

Description: Shetland shares Frozen Lake's isolated island setting where close-knit communities hide dark secrets. Both feature methodical police work against stunning but unforgiving natural backdrops that shape the crimes and their solutions.

Fact: Based on Ann Cleeves' novels. The show significantly boosted tourism to the Shetland Islands. Douglas Henshall won a Scottish BAFTA for his portrayal of DI Jimmy Perez.

Description: Marcella shares Frozen Lake's themes of a troubled female detective confronting personal demons while solving crimes. Both feature non-linear storytelling and psychological depth, with urban landscapes replacing Frozen Lake's wilderness but maintaining the same sense of isolation.

Fact: Anna Friel learned to speak Swedish for her role. The show was created by Hans Rosenfeldt, who also created The Bridge. Marcella's blackouts became a signature plot device that disoriented both character and audience.

Description: Like Frozen Lake, The Sinner focuses on why crimes occur rather than who committed them, delving deep into psychology and trauma. Both feature intense female performances and use flashbacks to unravel mysteries piece by piece.

Fact: Jessica Biel was a producer on the series. Each season features a completely new case. The first season was based on Petra Hammesfahr's German novel.