Whiteout (2009)

7% of critics liked it
(111 reviews)
28% of users liked it
(525,272 ratings)

A U.S. marshall tracking a vicious murderer through the Antarctic must locate the killer before the sun sets for six months, or risk being trapped in the dark with the madman for months on end in director Dominic Sena's adaptation of the graphic novel series by Greg Rucka. U.S. marshall Carrie… More A U.S. marshall tracking a vicious murderer through the Antarctic must locate the killer before the sun sets for six months, or risk being trapped in the dark with the madman for months on end in director Dominic Sena's adaptation of the graphic novel series by Greg Rucka. U.S. marshall Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) has been stationed at Antarctica's South Pole research base for two years, and now after turning in her resignation she's looking forward to finally going home. The last plane out leaves in just three days, and just after that Antarctica will not see the sun again for another 24 weeks. Then, just 72 hours before she is set to escape the coming darkness, a body is discovered in the ice -- prompting the first murder investigation ever to take place on the desolate Antarctic Circle continent. Little does Carrie realize that she's suddenly been thrust into a mystery over 60 years in the making, and that the killer is ready to strike again in order to protect a grim secret. Now, as the death toll starts to rise, loyalties shift, and a massive series of whiteouts blow bitter winds across the frozen landscape, the U.S. marshall who wanted nothing more than to escape the cold must work around the clock to catch a killer before the blinding white snow gives way to the deadly darkness of winter. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Dominic Sena
Written By: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Sep 11, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jan 19, 2010
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jake Coyle, Associated Press
It's Kate Beckinsale on Ice.
Cliff Doerksen, Chicago Reader
The film's slick and expensive looking but dumber than a dead penguin.
A.O. Scott, At the Movies
Where are the penguins?
Michael Phillips, At the Movies
A stupid thriller.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
For all its frozen blood, assaults with ice axes and killer weather, Whiteout turns out to be only a pale imitation of the thriller it might have been.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
The severely nonthrilling thriller Whiteout moves like winter in Antarctica. Who the flake greenlit this blobby blur?
Neil Pond, American Profile
When the snow starts blowing, it's impossible to tell who's who and what's what. Maybe parkas should be color-coded.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
Whiteout isn't particularly bad but it does follow the thriller playbook step-by-step with only a little tweaking. A lack of originality isn't the end of the world but it could have been so much better.
Rossiter Drake, San Francisco Examiner
Dominic Sena, whose credits include 1993's 'Kalifornia' (good) and 1996's 'Swordfish' (not so good), can't seem to find anything new under the perpetually obscured sun.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
If you'd forgotten that this title ever existed, well, so have I.
James Rocchi, Common Sense Media
South Pole-set whodunnit is bloody but bland.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the scenery overwhelms the meager plot and characters. (Blu-ray Edition)
Paul Chambers, CNNRadio
Okay, it's far from the best murder mystery you've ever seen, but I still can't help but liking this throwaway thriller. The ending was no surprise. Paul Chambers, CNN.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...it's painless. Brainless, too, but not so much so that you want to throw a shoe at the screen.
Adam Lippe, Examiner.com
Needed: Generic thriller in an exotic setting, some gore, possible sci-fi elements, female lead, and an older male star to play grizzled supporting character. Must work cheap.
Elias Savada, Film Threat
Whiteout is a colorless wasteland. There's only one thing that could have helped cover this film up: A flashback that changed the script's name to Wite-Out.
Garth Franklin, Dark Horizons
The film's biggest crime is that no obvious effort was made here, everything flows with the rigidity of a check list of genre cliches and safe choices.
D.K. Holm, Quick Stop Entertainment
The movie is as inert as the wintry terrain in which it is set.
Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review
I wasn't entertained, I just wanted out of the supposed cold.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...just predictable routine.

Read all 22 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

John M

I love Kate Beckinsale in almost anything. . this though well .. left me wanting. Not the best murder mystery out there and it showed. The cast was decent but seemed to lack any kid of ummph. I think the source material and or the script just didnt give them much to work with and… More
I love Kate Beckinsale in almost anything. . this though well .. left me wanting. Not the best murder mystery out there and it showed. The cast was decent but seemed to lack any kid of ummph. I think the source material and or the script just didnt give them much to work with and the end result was kinda plain. Apparently this was a graphic novel which I have not read. The movies visuals though were pretty stunning. . 3d CG and all. Just looked like a very harsh place to be.
xGary X

When a US Marshall operating out of a base in Antarctica discovers a dead body in the middle of nowhere, she must uncover the culprit before a huge snowstorm cuts them off from the outside world. Whiteout begins with a gratuitous action scene followed by a computer generated plane… More
When a US Marshall operating out of a base in Antarctica discovers a dead body in the middle of nowhere, she must uncover the culprit before a huge snowstorm cuts them off from the outside world. Whiteout begins with a gratuitous action scene followed by a computer generated plane crash. Then our first glance of the snowbound lawperson (hot, of course) is of her stripping off (well, what else would a person do if they were in Antarctica...?) Cue the mysterious body followed by clumsy flashbacks of an event that now defines her entire character and the appearance of a square-jawed partner (hot, of course) and wise-cracking black sidekick. Enter the storm to create an excuse for a race against time and some running around with guns/ice axes. Voila, the identity of the culprit, who is as ever the one we "least suspect", and epilogue showing how she has overcome her personal demons. The end. Once again the Hollywood conveyor belt churns out a production line script and we are supposed to give a crap just because the hero is pretty. The highlight of the film (by a mile) is seeing Kate bend over in her underwear, but even that happens in the first 15 minutes. The rest of the film contains a lot of pretty snowbound locations that add what superficially seems like a different flavour, but what we really have here is yet another efficient but dumb American thriller that's completely interchangeable with all the others. Difficult to hate, but even more difficult to care about.
Phil H

A reasonable suspense thriller based in Antarctica which is really the only little difference that it has to offer. The whole film is very predictable with the characters, twists and action sequences, the fact its based in snowy wastes being the only attraction. The landscape does add… More
A reasonable suspense thriller based in Antarctica which is really the only little difference that it has to offer. The whole film is very predictable with the characters, twists and action sequences, the fact its based in snowy wastes being the only attraction. The landscape does add a eerie spooky remote feeling to the film which is good and makes you feel the cold for sure hehe but its all far too easy and we've seen this type of thing many times before, nothing new really, by the books.
KJ P

Whiteout makes no sense, and did not need to be made for any reason. The cast actually acts very well, which is sad to see them wasting their talent in this mess. The film is called whiteout, and when the whiteouts happen, you can barely even see who is dying and who is living, or… More
Whiteout makes no sense, and did not need to be made for any reason. The cast actually acts very well, which is sad to see them wasting their talent in this mess. The film is called whiteout, and when the whiteouts happen, you can barely even see who is dying and who is living, or even if that i happening at all. This is one big mess with the only thing saving it, being the actors and a hint of good dialogue. It would be preposterous for anyone to enjoy this film.
Richard C

really boring and dumb. C-
Jeff "

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Whiteout is a so so Horror Thriller. The films biggest problem is that its predictable on whats going to happen. But Beckinsale's decent enough acting for this film makes it fairly watchable. Some people have said that it's the… More
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Whiteout is a so so Horror Thriller. The films biggest problem is that its predictable on whats going to happen. But Beckinsale's decent enough acting for this film makes it fairly watchable. Some people have said that it's the worst film ever, predictable and uneventful. However, I personally felt that the film had it's moments, a decent enough film to watch; just don't expect great.
Dean !

Well this seems to have been panned by the critics. Seems a few got the wrong idea and thought this was going to be like The Thing not sure why? ok it's no oscar winner, but it has an original setting for a whodunit thriller. Some of the actions scenes are hard to make out but… More
Well this seems to have been panned by the critics. Seems a few got the wrong idea and thought this was going to be like The Thing not sure why? ok it's no oscar winner, but it has an original setting for a whodunit thriller. Some of the actions scenes are hard to make out but that was the effect they went for. Overall it's not that bad, it has a twist or two and some action scenes to satisfy most people.
Lewis C

I've read some reviews of Whiteout that made it seem truly horrible. Like it's the film equivalent of a winter storm that will mercilessly bury any viewer under eight feet of awful. It's not all that bad. What it is, is a below-average thriller that has no tension and… More
I've read some reviews of Whiteout that made it seem truly horrible. Like it's the film equivalent of a winter storm that will mercilessly bury any viewer under eight feet of awful. It's not all that bad. What it is, is a below-average thriller that has no tension and little suspense. The stark backgrounds and isolation of Antarctica could have been the perfect background for a first rate psychological thrill ride. Maybe next time. Whiteout doesn't thrill like a cold ice cube down the back, it meanders like a small brook on a warm summer morning. Even the final action sequence required all my efforts to keep me focused, and the ending itself is one of be most anti-climactic that I've ever seen. Whiteout is one of those movies that hides the identity of the antagonist by making EVERYONE seem as suspicious as possible. That doesn't require much clever writing or nuanced story-telling, but it does sort of work. Sort of basically describes Whiteout as a whole. It's sort of a thriller, sort of disappointing, and sort of worth watching.
Bruce B

An excellent movie, about a soviet plane from many years back that?s carrying diamonds unknown to the crew except the pilot and co pilot, they attempt to kill rest of the crew but it fails and the plane crashes only to be found years later by a crew working in Antarctica. The crew… More
An excellent movie, about a soviet plane from many years back that?s carrying diamonds unknown to the crew except the pilot and co pilot, they attempt to kill rest of the crew but it fails and the plane crashes only to be found years later by a crew working in Antarctica. The crew starts to be killed off one by one but a US Marshall played by Kate Beckinsale must find the killer. Movie is full of suspense with a twist ending that most should guess early in the film, still its worth 4 stars
Nate Z

I was expecting bad but this is shockingly bad, notably in its lapses in basic filmmaking fundamentals. For instance, there's a scene where Kate Beckinsale talks with a superior, and the editing cuts back and forth in the middle of every damn line between a medium shot of the… More
I was expecting bad but this is shockingly bad, notably in its lapses in basic filmmaking fundamentals. For instance, there's a scene where Kate Beckinsale talks with a superior, and the editing cuts back and forth in the middle of every damn line between a medium shot of the actress and a close-up. The jarring effect feels like the movie is punching you in the face. The movie can't even get watching conversations right! This Antarctica-set murder mystery seems like a neat idea until you realize it's just another lousy slasher movie, albeit in an exotic location. The Antarctica location is mostly used to make sure that nobody can tell what the hell's going on. Furious white flurries of snow pretty much make the onscreen action oblique, like you're trying to look through a dirty window and comprehend what's happening. The plot sets up a wealth of disposable characters and patently obvious suspects (Gee, will the weird, tattooed pilot have something to do with a body dropped from a plane? Stay tuned). It's all pretty stupid with no real room for brain-dead thrills because the technical craft is so shoddy. However, the movie did make it clear that when, not if, the CSI franchise expands, they need to set it in Antarctica. Nate's Grade: C-
Candy R

US Marshal investigates the first murder in Antarctica. She chases the killer who nearly kills her during a severe snow storm. She loses two of her fingers to frost bite. She uncovers a Russian plane that crashed and discovers something the killer thinks is worth killing for. Who can… More
US Marshal investigates the first murder in Antarctica. She chases the killer who nearly kills her during a severe snow storm. She loses two of her fingers to frost bite. She uncovers a Russian plane that crashed and discovers something the killer thinks is worth killing for. Who can she trust, with only a few remaining people after the mass evacuation for the Winter?Ok thriller.
Dean M

This film, based on the 1998 graphic novel by by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, is an effective thriller with a good story. Kate Beckinsale makes a fine performance as a US marshal and the only officer of the law in the South Pale, gamely slugging it out in the snow, and there's… More
This film, based on the 1998 graphic novel by by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, is an effective thriller with a good story. Kate Beckinsale makes a fine performance as a US marshal and the only officer of the law in the South Pale, gamely slugging it out in the snow, and there's plenty to keep you interested as the mystery unravels. I see her striking just the right balance between strength and vulnerability. The outside shots were beautiful. The whole idea of being on Antarctica was fascinating.
Lorenzo v

"See Your Last Breath." U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko tracks a killer in Antarctica, as the sun is about to set for six months. <center>"See Your Last Breath." U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko tracks a killer in Antarctica, as the sun is about to set for six months. <center>REVIEW</center> Neither great nor horrible, it's entertaining, smart, and sometimes has some surprises that are worth seeing, but expect action thriller melodrama as opposed to science fiction intrigue. The main problem is that it's often too formulaic and cliché, sometimes nearly nonsensical. It feels in many ways like any other FBI/CIA international mystery thriller involving lots of brutally murdered people, with the exception of the setting. Nice FX and a sort of gore horror film element (that axe murderer story lovers will greatly appreciate) add something beyond the FBI melodrama to create some excitement, thrills, and disturbing moments.
Film C

wow extremely not liked!! i actually quite liked it, and kate beckinsale is good in it!! its entertaining enough and a good enough thriller set in anatarticca!! worth a watch especailly if you like kate beckinsale!!
Josh L

It's not even close to one of the worst movies I've ever seen, despite being one of the most trashed films since I started watching movies frequently. It's somewhat entertaining thanks to better than expected performances from Kate Beckinsale and Tom Skerritt.… More
It's not even close to one of the worst movies I've ever seen, despite being one of the most trashed films since I started watching movies frequently. It's somewhat entertaining thanks to better than expected performances from Kate Beckinsale and Tom Skerritt. Beckinsale's introduction is ridiculous and didn't belong in the movie, though (shot of her getting in the shower just to raise the pulse of every guy watching). It's your standard thriller, albeit it with a unique flavor thanks to its setting. The problem is that the setting hampers the film rather than enhancing it because it can be very hard at times to figure out what is happening, especially during the fighting sequences that take place outside. It is just an average movie from almost every angle you take it.
Steve K

Critically trashed film really isn't any worse than your average Hollywood programmer. Unspectacular in almost every way, but the fact that it takes place in Antarctica helps freshen the proceedings up a little bit. Try not to laugh at Beckinsale's introduction, and try… More
Critically trashed film really isn't any worse than your average Hollywood programmer. Unspectacular in almost every way, but the fact that it takes place in Antarctica helps freshen the proceedings up a little bit. Try not to laugh at Beckinsale's introduction, and try not to wince as the expository dialogue is used to move the story forward again and again.
Derek A

Being the murder mystery lover that I am, I ignored all the negative hype surrounding Whiteout and went into this film with a fresh state of mind. Afterall, I really enjoyed Mindhunters in 2005 that had similar adverse buzz. The film stars Kate… More
Being the murder mystery lover that I am, I ignored all the negative hype surrounding Whiteout and went into this film with a fresh state of mind. Afterall, I really enjoyed Mindhunters in 2005 that had similar adverse buzz. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, a personal favorite of mine, as a US Marshall sent to the freezing desolate land of Antarctica to solve its first murder.What ensues is a boring, clichéd story that was horribly directed and woefully acted. It played out like a B-film with some unwarranted scenes. For instance, the blatant shower scene in the beginning that served no other purpose than to tease the hormones of the audience... "hey, maybe you'll see more if you keep watching." Well, sadly, you don't... although that scene was probably the most entertaining of the entire film, it was still utterly pointless.The twist was predictable assuming you can keep your eyes open long enough to pay attention, but more importantly, by the time the final act arrives no one's going to care. Whiteout is a formulaic, stale thriller without thrills that just might serve to whiteout Kate Beckinsale's career. And, seriously, if you're going to make a brainless whodunit mystery film in Antarctica, would it kill you to show us some penguins!!
Roy G

Okay, it's far from the best murder mystery you've ever seen, but I still can't help but liking this throwaway thriller. The ending was no surprise.
Brian D

Been waiting to see this for awhile now and thinking the story and idea sounded great.Well what can i say it really never got going and the lack of a really good mystery so lets it down.Even the performances are abit wooded. You so expect more from starss like beckinsale and sterritt… More
Been waiting to see this for awhile now and thinking the story and idea sounded great.Well what can i say it really never got going and the lack of a really good mystery so lets it down.Even the performances are abit wooded. You so expect more from starss like beckinsale and sterritt who are both favs of mine.And to top off the whole movie is the so bad twist at the end and climax just seem limp. A Very Disappointed Movie maybe not one to avoided but maybe one to have a few beers before viewing.
Manu G

The movie was cleanly good but I don't know if it was the too much snow that bother me or that the end was so boring that left me at the finale just bumout. A U.S. marshal (Kate Beckinsale), the only one assigned to Antarctica, must investigate a murder there within three days… More
The movie was cleanly good but I don't know if it was the too much snow that bother me or that the end was so boring that left me at the finale just bumout. A U.S. marshal (Kate Beckinsale), the only one assigned to Antarctica, must investigate a murder there within three days before the Antarctic winter begins. She crosses paths with a U.N. operative (Gabriel Macht), also investigating the murder.She must chase down suspects and find more murders. Early in the story, Steko is attacked by the killer and left for dead in a storm. She saves herself but loses two fingers due to severe cold-related injuries. For U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko, things are about to get even more dangerous. The only law enforcement in this unforgiving territory, she has just been sent to investigate a body on the ice. Antarctica's first homicide. A shocking discovery in itself, it will plunge her into an even more bizarre mystery and the revelation of secrets long-buried under the endless ice--secrets that someone believes are still worth killing for. As Stetko races to find the killer before he finds her, winter is already closing in. In the deadly Antarctic whiteout, she won't see him till he's a breath away.