Ice Road: Vengeance attempts to pick up where The Ice Road (2021) left off, but despite its title, the sequel abandons much of what made the original memorable — namely, the ice roads themselves. Directed once again by Jonathan Hensleigh and starring Liam Neeson in yet another grizzled, reluctant-hero role, the film leans heavily into vengeance and grief, while offering surprisingly little of the icy suspense promised.
The plot centers on Mike McCann (Neeson), still mourning the loss of his brother Gurty, who died before fulfilling his dream of climbing Mount Everest. Mike, honoring his brother’s final wish, travels to Nepal to scatter his ashes. What begins as a somber journey quickly turns into a chaotic action narrative as Mike is caught in a violent conflict between local villagers and corrupt developers seeking to construct a hydroelectric dam.
While The Ice Road was defined by its slick, tension-filled driving sequences across frozen terrain, Vengeance delivers only one brief mountain-side drive before veering completely off-theme. Instead, the movie becomes a blend of standard action tropes and underdeveloped political drama, offering more gunfights and moral lessons than icy thrills.
Fan Bingbing co-stars as Dhani Yangchen, a local guide who brings both warmth and skill to the story. Her role mirrors Amber Midthunder’s character from the original film, providing a grounded and resourceful counterpart to Neeson’s hardened trucker. Their chemistry helps elevate the emotional stakes, even if the script rarely gives them time to truly connect.
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Despite its shortcomings, the film does attempt to explore deeper themes of grief, purpose, and redemption. Neeson brings his usual gravitas, though his performance feels tired, even when paired with the heartfelt premise. Gurty’s presence lingers through flashbacks, giving fans of the original character a bit more closure — though whether that’s worth the price of admission is debatable.
Clocking in at over two hours, Ice Road: Vengeance drags more than it should. With little spectacle and only a thin narrative link to its predecessor, the film feels like a standalone Neeson action flick repackaged under a familiar title. Fans expecting more icy stunts will likely be disappointed, but those in the market for a somber, vengeance-fueled detour with some emotional undertones may find something to appreciate.
