The film adaptation of Jø Nesbo’s novel The Snowman—featuring his most prominent character, Oslo Detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender)—hits theaters this week. Chief among the book’s use of crime tropes is the setting during the year—just as the first snow begins to fall in southern Norway. Many, many thrillers take place mostly at night, choosing to heighten suspense with everything unseen. But almost as prevalent is the thriller in the cold, with blinding white snow a contrast to violent acts and dark deeds. This video essay examines the long history of crime in bitter, sub-zero temperatures, from Shoot The Piano Player and Fargo to Insomnia and The Shining.