Dead Of Winter

DEAD OF WINTER (2025) Cert 15
Emma Thompson, Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca. Directed by Brian Kirk. 98m.

Dead of Winter blends suspense, humour and a touch of the macabre into a truly entertaining thriller. Set against the icy, windswept backdrop of snowy Minnesota, this film offers an edge-of-the-seat experience with an unexpectedly sentimental heart. What sets it apart is Emma Thompson’s sensational performance — a combination of grit, resourcefulness, and a warm, unshakable presence that makes her a force to be reckoned with. Who knew Emma Thompson could do action thrillers just as well as she does everything else?

She plays a Minnesota widow, a strong and good-natured woman who recently lost her husband. Together, they ran a fishing supply store and loved ice fishing, often venturing out to remote frozen lakes to set up their ice shelters. As the film begins, Thompson’s character is on a mission to scatter her late husband's ashes at one such lake — the spot of their first date. But she gets lost along the way, leading her to a strange and ominous house that sets the stage for everything to come. Outside she finds a stranger chopping wood with a bizarre splash of blood on the snow. Thompson tries to make small talk and inquire about directions, only to find herself on the verge of something much darker.

The supporting cast is equally stellar. Judy Greer is superb as the frighteningly unhinged villain, adding a deliciously dark edge to the film. The pacing is spot-on, keeping the tension high while also giving space to develop characters and explore the emotional stakes. It’s a tense thriller with moments of humour, suspense, and deep emotional resonance that reminds us how, even in the most extreme situations, survival requires more than just physical endurance — it demands an inner strength, a willingness to adapt, and sometimes, a touch of ruthlessness.

This is a film that knows how to entertain, keep you on edge, and never forgets to deliver a satisfying, impactful payoff. Dead of Winter will have you hooked from start to finish.

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