“Dead of Winter” offers chills without thrills

Two-time Oscar winner Dame Emma Thompson delves into the action-thriller genre alongside director Brian Kirk in “Dead of Winter,” produced by Vertical. Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb wrote the screenplay.

Amid a blizzard, a grief-stricken loner named Barb (Emma Thompson) becomes lost on the backroads near a Minnesota lake. Seeking help, she stumbles upon a remote cabin in the woods, where she discovers a young woman named Leah (Laurel Marsden) who has been kidnapped by a desperate couple, referred to as Purple Lady (Judy Greer) and Camo Jacket (Marc Menchaca).

Armed with deadly intent, the couple poses a significant threat. Barb must summon every ounce of her skill and resourcefulness to save Leah and protect her own life. Cut off from the outside world and lacking cell service, the isolated setting heightens the tension. In this dire situation, Barb realizes that she is Leah’s only beacon of hope amid the darkness.

“Dead of Winter” was not on my radar before, and I am surprised that an actress of Thompson’s caliber chose to be part of this project. As any cinephile knows, the typical theme in the kidnapping genre revolves around financial gain, but “Dead of Winter” leans more towards survival at any cost.

The film reveals the motivations behind the kidnapping and explores Barb’s grief. I must credit the makeup department for stripping away the glamorous appearances, as both actresses truly embody the harsh winter environment. However, despite the earnest efforts of Thompson and Greer, the film struggles to find its footing. Additionally, while there’s nothing inherently wrong with having a BETA male character, Marc Menchaca’s performance is almost laughably poor.

“Dead of Winter” has a runtime of just ninety-seven minutes, and I found myself checking my watch frequently. While I commend the filmmakers for utilizing nature as a backdrop, the final product feels lukewarm.

Final Grade: C-

Vertical will release DEAD OF WINTER only in theaters on September 26, 2025