The 2012 crime thriller The Iceman, starring Michael Shannon as real-life contract killer Richard Kuklinski, is set to leave Netflix next month. Directed by Ariel Vromen, the film explores the double life of a family man who moonlighted as a hitman for organized crime in 1970s New York . It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and holds a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, according to the source.

The 2012 Venice Debut and a 67% Critical Score

When The Iceman debuted at the 2012 Venice International Film Festival, critics praised Shannon's performance as both terrifying and sympathetic, per the report. The film later received a limited U.S. theatrical release on May 3, 2013. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus noted its gripping narrative and strong acting, but the 67% score reflects a mixed critical reception—appreciated but not universally hailed. This departure from Netflix underscores how even critically admired mid-budget crime dramas can quietly rotate out of streaming libraries, often overshadowed by blockbuster originals.

Michael Shannon's Career-Defining Portrayal of a Suburban Hitman

What elevates The Iceman above typical true-crime fare is Shannon's nuanced performance, which the source describes as portraying Kuklinski not merely as a monster but as a complex individual shaped by a traumatic upbringing. The film dives into his psychology, balancing moments of paternal tenderness with cold-blooded violence. Shannon's ability to make the killer sympathetic without excusing his crimes is the film's core achievement, and it's why the performance lingers long after viewing.

From Adult Film Dubbing to DeMeo's Murder Crew: Kuklinski's Unlikely Path

According to the source, Kuklinski first worked as a dubbing artist for adult films, pretending to voice cartoon characters to hide his job from his wife Deborah, played by Winona Ryder. After losing that job, he was recruited by ruthless gangster Roy DeMeo, portrayed by Ray Liotta, to carry out murders for cash. The plot thickens when Kuklinski leaves a young woman alive as a witness—a decision that jeopardizes both his criminal operations and his family's safety. Chris Evans delivers a chilling turn as fellow hitman Mr. Freezy, adding to the film's strong ensemble.

What Anthony Bruno's 1993 Book Reveals That the Film Doesn't

While the film draws from Anthony Bruno's 1993 book The Iceman:The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer, the source does not detail how closely the adaptation folllows the source material. For example, real-life Kuklinski claimed to have killed over 100 people and later confessed to additional murders in prison , details compressed in the film. The source notes the case has been the subject of documentaries and books, but it remains unclear how much of Kuklinski's later, more sensational assertions—including poisoning random strangers—shaped Vromen's narrative. Viewers seeking the full picture should explore the book and HBO's interview series to compare.