Dead of Winter
Dead of Winter
Stars: Emma Thompson, Judy Greer, Matt Menchaca, Laurel Marsden and Brian F. O-Byama
Director: Brian Kirk
Scriptwriters: Nicholas Jabson-Llarson and Dalton Leeb
Composer: Volker Bertelmann
Cinematography: Christopher Ross
MMC Studios/Vertical
Rating: R
Running length: 98 Minutes
A haunting story set in mid-winter that shows just how far one can go to rescue another person. Emma Thomnpson stars in this film of the rescuer, who comes upon an incident and takes that step forward that many would not do. Director Brian Kirk does a top-notch job with his actors in this wild winter country that was actually filmed in Finland. Volker Bertelmann’s music gives us the eerie background of the north country in winter, along with what happening in the storyline. All in all, it makes one take a heavy coat into the theater.
The story line begins with a woman named Barb (Emma Thompson) who is going to honor her late husband’s request of having his ashes taken to a certain lake in northern Minnesota. Since Minnesota is known as the Land of 20,000 Lakes (10,000 Lakes went a long time ago), Barb will be headed for Lake Hilda. On the way, her adventure begins complete with lakes covered with ice and snow, plus the famous fish houses. There is a snow storm and she stops at a cabin for directions, then notices blood on the snow. Presuming this to be a wounded animal, Barb continues to the lake, where she sees a man trying to catch a young woman who has her hands tied. Barb goes back to the cabin and finds the man and another woman (Judy Greer) talking about what to do with the young woman. What is going on here? Prisoner escape? Kidnapping? Barb has to make a decision and from then on, there is a roller coaster ride as to what is really going on out there in the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter. “Dead of Winter” is a fit title.
Emma Thompson takes the role of Barb and runs with it, literally. There are action scenes and in the winter snow. Along with her, is Judy Greer who plays a character not sho she seems to be. Laurel Marsden (Leah) is the hapless girl in the middle of this. Their action shots are well played.
“Dead of Winter” takes the word surprise and heads in a different direction. The unexpected is just around the corner and the actors, though in a cold and icy environment, do a superb job. Acting plus scenery plus music equals an unexpected thriller.
Copyright 2025 Marie Asner
