Dead of Winter

I went to the Cinemark Secret Movie and this was the movie played. I was a little disappointed at first because I was hoping for a different movie, but five minutes in I was hooked.

This was such a great movie with good action, which was surprising considering Emma Watson is the main character, and suspense, I jumped in my seat twice, and even cringed at one bloody scene.

I am very happy that this was the movie shown as I would not have gone to see it otherwise.

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.

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.

I wish I could say that I liked this movie but I did not. Emma Thompson's performance was very good but the story was rather impossible to believe and there was too much violence and gore. It was grueling to watch. I didn't like the ending either. I found this movie to be very brutal in many ways and very depressing. Didnt enjoy it at all.

This was this month's Secret Movie at Cinemark. Another good choice by Cinemark! This film stars Emma Thompson as a widow who travels to a remote lake to honor her late husband. Unfortunately for her, she gets a bit lost and stumbles upon a pair of kidnappers who have abducted a young girl and are holding her in their dilapidated cabin for reasons that I will not reveal to avoid spoilers. Soon Emma Thompson tries to help the girl with violent results. The film is very suspenseful (almost Hitchcock like) and the cinematography of Finland and Germany (as a substitute for northern Minnesota) is fantastic. Emma Thompson is very good along with Judy Greer as one half of the kidnapping team is scarily good. Highly recommended. 8/10.