Reindeer Games | Hot Chocolate and Pecan Pie
- Forgotten Cinema
- Dec 17, 2025
- 2 min read
Reindeer Games (2000) – Snowy Noir, Dumb Decisions
This week on Forgotten Cinema, we’re cracking open Reindeer Games (2000), the late-’90s/early-2000s crime thriller that lives firmly in the “fine… but flawed” zone.
Both of us agree this one is watchable, but only just. On paper, Reindeer Games has the makings of a solid noir-inspired thriller: a snowy setting, a hardened criminal underworld, double-crosses, and a Christmas-time backdrop that gives it a slightly off-kilter vibe. Unfortunately, once the plot gets moving, it starts to unravel almost immediately.
When the Logic Melts Faster Than the Snow
The biggest issue? The story relies on nearly everyone involved making incredibly frustrating decisions. Ben Affleck’s Rudy/Nick and Gary Sinise’s villain spend most of the movie zigging when any rational person would zag. The central twist, revealing who’s really pulling the strings, only makes things worse, hinging on an absurd level of coincidence, luck, and perfect timing to work at all. It’s the kind of thriller where the more you think about it, the faster it collapses.
Style Doing the Heavy Lifting
And yet… it’s not unwatchable. The performances help keep things afloat, and the movie’s sheer ridiculousness becomes part of its strange charm. Director John Frankenheimer’s noir sensibilities, the icy visuals, and the hard-boiled attitude give Reindeer Games a vibe that’s honestly more enjoyable than the script deserves. There’s something about snow-covered crime stories that just works, even when the plotting doesn’t.
A Messy Curio From Its Era
At the end of the day, Reindeer Games never quite comes together as a smart thriller. But it's a curious artifact from its time: slick, misguided, overconfident, and oddly compelling if your expectations are properly lowered.
Set the bar low, enjoy the vibe, and try not to think too hard about the plan.
Comments