Liam Neeson recently found success with “The Naked Gun” reboot this past summer, and now audiences are beginning to notice another of his more intense action films. Released directly to streaming in 2025, “Ice Road: Vengeance” has climbed into the top 10 on Netflix as of September 24, reaching the fourth spot, which is quite notable for a film that had little prior buzz.

“Ice Road: Vengeance” combines elements from the largely unscripted “Ice Road Truckers” with a touch of “Taken.” Serving as a sequel to “The Ice Road,” the film follows trucker-turned-hero Mike McCann (played by Neeson) as he struggles with the loss of his brother, Gerty, whose death occurred at the end of the previous installment. Mike carries Gerty’s ashes in his truck, intending to scatter them from Mount Everest’s peak. He finds himself on a tour bus heading upwards to fulfill this promise to put his brother to rest.

Unfortunately for Mike, his journey is interrupted by a group of mercenaries determined to construct a dam and eliminate any opposition. Targeting a relative of one of their opponents, they become involved with the bus passengers. Mike’s newfound mission is to prevent the bus from sliding off the icy road while ensuring the safety of everyone aboard. This plot seems to be capturing audience interest, although it hasn’t enhanced the film’s standing among critics.

Critics have not favored “Ice Road: Vengeance,” with the film receiving just a 14% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 22 critics. Audience response hasn’t been much better; over 250 fans have given it only a 25% approval rating. The original “The Ice Road” didn’t fare particularly well either, though it achieved a slightly better 43% critic approval and 31% audience approval. It shows a minor improvement but remains lackluster.

Despite these low ratings, the film series appears to have staying power. Whether a third installment in the “Ice Road” series will emerge depends on viewership retention. If interest remains strong for both films, there’s no reason the series can’t continue to venture through frozen terrains and daunting circumstances.