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.

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.

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.

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.

Barb makes a difficult trek through the snow to reach Lake Hilda, only to discover a young girl has been kidnapped. From that moment on, rescuing Leah becomes her mission - whether she's ready for it or not.

There's something wonderfully stripped back about this film. The story, the visuals, even the cast - everything is pared down to the essentials, yet there's a quiet intelligence running through it all. Nothing feels wasted, nothing feels overcooked. It's Scandi noir in all but passport, and you'll find yourself forming theories while watching, even though the real question becomes how on earth Barb is going to get herself and Leah out alive.

There is a slight lull midway through, but with such a limited pool of characters and locations, it's hard to begrudge it. The film never fully loses momentum - it just has a little sit-down to catch its breath.

Barb herself is a terrific creation, save for one rather glaring issue - I'll come to that in a moment. Otherwise she's the perfect reluctant hero: brave, sharp, vulnerable, and - refreshingly - a woman allowed to age like an actual human being. Emma Thompson brings all the warmth, weariness and grit you'd hope for, without a hint of Hollywood polishing.

Now, the accent. Or should I say 'accents'. All 27 of them. One minute she's Rose Nylund, the next she's Pam Ayres on market day. With so many perfectly good regional options available, it's baffling they didn't pick just one and stick to it. Thankfully, her backstory more than makes up for the wobble - those flashbacks actually add depth rather than smothering the film in syrup.

As for the setting... something always feels a touch off, and with good reason. No matter how proudly they hang the Stars and Stripes, this is no Minnesota. This is Finland with a thin coat of American paint, and you can spot the brushstrokes from space.

Still, taken as a whole, it works. It feels real. The action scenes have weight. The performances ring true. And it's genuinely refreshing to see a thriller led by someone who isn't secretly a retired superspy.

Not perfect, but very good - and absolutely worth your time.

7/10.