Dead of Winter

I'd give this film a 7.5. It was s solid thriller. I saw it at Screen Unseen at AMC. It was already on my list, so that was lucky.

No frills, no gimmicks, just good old fashion filmmaking. Story was basic, but the writing was good. The acting was believable for the most part. The pacing was good.

There were several predictable moments, but it wasn't all predictable. I loved the cinematography (10/10). The landscape offered some beautiful shots and they didn't waste it.

Good direction. Nice little flick. My girlfriend and I both enjoyed it.

The trailer for Dead of Winter made the film look pretty interesting. Unfortunately for me, the story doesn't do enough to make me care about the characters.

Positives!

+Emma Thompson and Judy Greer do a good job with the minimum script.

+Beautiful landscapes (Finland).

+Emmas character was smart in some situations.

+Good use of color grading (Barbs positive memories are vibrant while present is blue).

Negatives!

-No character development. Antagonists have no history.

-Antagonists don't have names! Just "Purple Lady and Camo Jacket".

-Over reliance on flashbacks that don't always have bearing on the story.

I was honestly bored watching Dead of Winter. I appreciate Barbs character details, even if sometimes it felt like too much. But the kidnappers get no story at all. Just little hints. Judy Greer is an amazing actress and was wasted. The film will be fine for most people, I just wanted more depth. 4/10.

-GremlinLord615.

-Full review on YouTube.

I just watched. My rating is 5.0 - average at best.

What I like: the movie, most of all, has good cinematography. The barren, snow covered winter setting looks so peaceful, like someplace you'd read about in a Robert Frost poem. I like the lead actress. She is likable and charming, with her Sarah Palin-esque lines. The movie's set-up is excellent: the first 30-40 minutes really had me hooked, and I thought I was in for a great suspense/thriller

Unfortunately, I think the movie stumbles hard in the middle and end. The movie's pacing really begins to drag; certain scenes are drawn out to the point where they felt like fluff. Basically, I kept getting the feeling of, "Can this movie just move along now?" ... in addition, characters begin to make dumb decisions, like not killing someone when they have a chance. There's some bad CGI in the finale. The conclusion is unsatisfying. Given their intentions, the villains could and should have been presented with more shades of gray instead of the simple "they're the bad guys."

It's an average quality movie at best

5.0/10.

Greetings again from the darkness. So how do we fill the gap with solo action-thrillers now that Liam Neeson is making comedies? It's a bit surprising, but some creativity and thinking outside the box occurred with the casting of two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson in this latest from director Brian Kirk (21 BRIDGES, 2019). The story comes from two first time screenwriters, both known for other talents. Nicholas Jacobson-Larson is best known as a composer, while Dalton Leeb is an actor.

Ms. Thompson stars as Barb, a woman carrying the heavy burden of grief. Her husband has recently passed and his final wish was for his remains dumped in Lake Hilda, the site of their first date. The location is the frozen tundra of Minnesota (apologies to Green Bay fans), and we can't help but wonder how many times Ms. Thompson watched FARGO (1996), studying the accent of Frances McDormand's Marge Gunderson. Initially it's a bit jarring hearing that accent from a Brit who excelled in films such as SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995) and THE REMAINS OF THE DAY (1993), but of course, the talented actor pulls it off.

Barb's emotional trip goes sideways when a gunshot alerts her to a girl being hauled away by the man she had recently asked directions from. In this day of 'mind your own business', Barb could have just proceeded with her husband's ashes and headed back home. Alas, 'Minnesota nice' doesn't permit such neglect of those in peril. What follows is a game of cat and mouse ... a battle of wits and guns. Barb lacks a particular set of skills other than 'street smarts', while Leah (Laurel Marsden, THE POPE'S EXORCIST, 2023) is being held captive in the cabin basement by the man (Marc Menchaca, "Ozark") and his puffy purple jacket wearing wife (Judy Greer). The reason for this kidnapping is hinted at, but isn't fully explained until later (revealing an outlandish plan).

Brian Kirk delivers an entertaining thriller and cinematographer Christopher Ross takes full advantage of the snow and ice covered setting. Judy Greer is surprisingly effective as the vile and menacing woman (a departure from her usual roles) so desperate to save herself, while Marc Menchaca is a reluctant accomplice, and Emma Thompson is a formidable foe standing in their way. The flashbacks come a bit too frequently and really don't add much to an already dramatic, emotional, and frenzied situation ... which all begins with a closely-held tackle box. Despite that, the film nails the ending ... cold.

Opening in theaters on September 26, 2025.

An above average thriller about a kidnapping, with the added bonus of hearing Emma Thompson do a midwestern accent lol. Her character's backstory (which is revealed in flashbacks throughout the movie), along with her performance, added a touching and endearing enough aspect to the movie that elevated it above just being a run-of-the-mill thriller. Pretty good cinematography in certain parts too.