Dead of Winter

A tense, heart-pounding thriller with a solid plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. While the film itself doesn't break new ground, Emma Thompson and Judy Greer deliver standout performances that elevate it. What makes the story resonate is the unexpected emotional thread woven through the suspense, giving it both grit and heart. A strong choice for fans of thrillers who also appreciate a touch of humanity alongside the chills.

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.

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.

The first great feature of Dead Of Winter is that it is NOT a remake of the 1987 movie of the same name (hated that movie).

This is a German production, filmed in Finland, set in Minnesota. My experience with German movies is they are gritty, story-driven, low budget, and have zero stupid characters. Dead Of Winter has all of those characteristics.

The cast is tiny. 9 people total, only 4 of which are major players. Most of the rest of the cast is seen through Emma's memories, eventually explaining why she has made this trip to an isolated lake. As memories work, Emma never names her own character, so we don't learn her name until the final minute of the film. Even that is an add-on, as most references to her in the credits call her character the fisherwoman.

As you can tell from the preview or blurb, Emma happens across a kidnapping and tries to help the young woman. Everything cascades from there. Emma mostly has no one to talk to so the story has to convey her plan just from her actions. And in places it looks like she's making mistakes. But ultimately we learn it all comes together and makes sense.

The mix of Minnesota-nice character with ruthless moves to effect rescues and escapes is incredibly endearing and Emma plays it perfectly.

You probably won't see an ad for this movie, given the budget. But it's one worth seeing.

Emma Thompson was phenomenal. She produced this movie. Kept you on your toes. Story of a couple who had their first date in 1982 and she goes to that same place to complete his last request by burying his ashes there. Twists and turns but good movie. Id watch again. Just go see it. You wont regret it.