The Breaking Ice

Set in the winter of Yanji, a city on the northern border of China, the story follows Haofeng, a young man from Shanghai who feels adrift while visiting the area. During his stay, he meets Nana, a tour guide who introduces him to Xiao, a restaurant employee struggling with frustration. The three form a quick bond over a festive weekend, eventually confronting their personal traumas and secrets. As they navigate their complicated emotional lives, they attempt to find liberation from their cold surroundings.

The drama was written and directed by Anthony Chen, following his 2019 film Wet Season. It stars Zhou Dongyu, Liu Haoran, and Qu Chuxiao. Produced by companies including Giraffe Pictures and Huace Pictures, the film was a joint effort between China, the United States, and Singapore.

The movie earned 4 million USD at the worldwide box office. Audience reception is similar across platforms, with a 6.5 rating on IMDb from 1,500 votes and a 6.4 rating on TMDB from 55 votes. Film critics gave the production a higher score of 7.2 based on 35 reviews.