Cold Road

Canadian films have a reputation for being absolutely awful. Though there's a few exceptions like The Red Violin, and even some cult classics like Cube, most of what the country turns out is insipid garbage. Because of this I was reluctant to go see this film, but I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.

The Bad: The film is a somewhat slow to get started, and the script in some of the early scenes feels clumsy. Those who are patient with this movie are rewarded, however, as the film finds it's footing around the 30 minute mark and quickly improves.

The Good: Cold Road is realistic, perfectly capturing the creepiness and isolation of Canada's north, and the feeling one gets trying to make their way from one tiny remote community to the next. The heroine is believable, using her brains to survive despite being terrified and alone, and the threat of the man stalking her is intensely relentless.

If you're looking for a high octane / smooth brain Hollywood flick Cold Road isn't for you. It's an intelligent slow burn of a film made on a modest budget but well written, acted, and produced.

Solid, entertaining and highly recommended. Eight stars out of ten.

This is not a movie about MMIW, and it doesn't give justice to discussions about racism in the far north. It's awkward, non-sensical, cringey and writes the woman lead as a moron. Watch literally any other movie to support Indigenous cinema. I do not want curious viewers looking to support Indigenous cinema to waste their time in this movie. It doesn't work as a thriller, it doesn't educate, it's not edifying.

It's hard to describe how incomprehensible the lead's decision making is. It's frankly insulting to the audience. And no, her being in grief doesn't explain it. Oh well, the concept was interesting but the delivery...oof.

If anyone knows about Steven Spielberg's 1971 directorial debut Duel, they appreciate this modern take set in Canada. I don't know if it was intended or not but, it's brilliant. I can't say anymore without giving the plot away except to say look up Duel or even better watch it first!!

If anyone knows about Steven Spielberg's 1971 directorial debut Duel, they appreciate this modern take set in Canada. I don't know if it was intended or not but, it's brilliant. I can't say anymore without giving the plot away except to say look up Duel or even better watch it first!!

If anyone knows about Steven Spielberg's 1971 directorial debut Duel, they appreciate this modern take set in Canada. I don't know if it was intended or not but, it's brilliant. I can't say anymore without giving the plot away except to say look up Duel or even better watch it first!!

As a huge fan of Roseanne Supernault, I really wanted to like this movie. Unfortunately, a terrible script made this movie impossible to like. As someone who grew up in the north, like Supernault's character, I found it difficult to believe she would need to stop and map out her trip on a drive back to her home town to see her ailing mother. That was early in the show and the far-fetched scenarios just got worse as the movie progressed - and it was just one unlikely scenario after another. The tension between Supernault's character and her sister seemed unnecessary and added nothing to the story.

While awareness to the horrific crimes against women; specifically indigenous women, are underreported and not addressed with enough resources- this movie painfully depicts women (specifically indigenous women) as individuals with low IQ or rather limited problem solving skills. The entire storyline is riddled with super dumb a@@ internal conversations and events.

1. The main character is on the phone -steps from her car at a gas station filling it up before a long stretch of road (300+). She is on the phone with her sister when gas is stolen by way of the pump being removed from her car and added to the car next to hers. She doesn't notice this!!!!! She doesn't have eyes on her car she is steps away from as it is being refueled! AND then she doesn't notice that her car is NOT full and pays $80 for the gas! She gets back in her car after paying $80+ and doesn't notice the tank! She looks at the speedometer the ENTIRE movie! How? HOW?

2. Why is she using a MAP! A paper map and reading it on the side of the icey/snow and her low IQ dog is just siting in the middle of the road in the path of a huge 18 wheeler. He just sits there?! No DOG with common canine sense is just going to sit there watching a truck coming at high speeds. Back to the paper map! This story takes place in modern times. Her car had a flat screen in it! She has a smart phone! But uses paper maps. What?!

3. 18 wheelers do not exceed 80 mph or at best on a downhill slope with wind past 100mph. Her sedan was going between 80 and 120mph. How in the laws of kinematics does the truck catch up with her repeatedly? And when she sees the truck allows it to catch up with and only speeds up once it's on her bump. I can't with this movie!

4. She approaches a cop with a knife she took from the dinner bc she forgot it was in her hand. While I understand the point being made in that scene; it was poorly executed!

Director, please be mindful of how you depict the intelligence and problem solving skills of individuals whose story you are trying to tell!!! Indigenous women and women are NOT airheads. And neither are their dogs!