Sometimes a poster is all it takes to pique my interest in a certain movie. So, when I saw a poster featuring a bloody trail in the snow left by someone crawling toward a car, I was instantly hooked. Cold Meat is an efficient and well-crafted single-location survival thriller worth watching. We will be following Ana, a waitress working in a remote diner fighting not just a vicious killer but also the elements. That’s all I’m going to tell you about the story. Since the meat is cold and there’s not much left of it, I’m trying to be practical here. I mean, you should know that this is a minimalist indie thriller. But I promise you it’s quite solid.
Moreover, if you like serial killer movies, snow movies, and single-location movies, Cold Meat will be quite a treat. It’s fairly predictable but still offers a couple of surprises. Considering this is the director’s Sébastien Drouin debut, I think we can expect a lot from him in the future. In the lead roles, we find Nina Bergman (Hell Hath No Fury) and Allen Leech (Downton Abbey). While Nina was good, Allen was fucking awesome. He has that unsettling quality that’s essential for the type of movie this is. Cold Meat is basically an indie horror thriller featuring strong psychological elements.
You can feel it was made with a small budget and a lot of love and care. It was shot in just 13 days which is quite a feat. Especially since you’re working with freezing temperatures in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. And you know shit gets real cold over there, literally. You will most certainly feel that cold seep in through the screen. The make-up department did wonders and I like how, as time goes on, you can see our characters slowly deteriorating and suffering from frostbite. So, get cozy and warm because shit is about to get real here.
The script is fairly good and there’s a surprising amount of tension throughout. What’s missing is what you can see on the poster: blood and graphic violence. I know that this is going to be a deal-breaker for some but also a positive for others. Considering that most of the movie takes place in a single location, you have to admire the excellent camerawork and pacing. Okay, okay, maybe the mid-section could’ve been better but it’s still pretty solid. You would be surprised by how many movies have a similar premise.
I’m talking about a car stuck in the snow and a deadly presence looming over the survivors. Of course, Jeepers Creepers 2, with a school bus full of food for The Creeper is not one of them. However, Wind Chill, Centigrade, and Witches in the Woods most certainly are. We also should not forget about 2010 Frozen which has nothing to do with its namesake. It follows two skiers stuck high above safety and in mortal danger. So, if you like this concept, you might want to check out those survival thrillers. What Cold Meat introduces to the mix is a serial killer. A welcome addition, I have to say.
From the moment I saw Ana’s angry husband descending upon her, I kind of sensed that there was something afoot here. Moreover, we’ll even touch upon the ancient Native American legend of Wendigo. This mythological creature didn’t get much attention in Hollywood. So, there are only a couple of good movies featuring it. Ravenous and especially Antlers are two good choices along with a more recent indie addition of The Windigo.
Director: Sébastien Drouin
Writers: Sébastien Drouin, James Kermack, Andrew Desmond
Cast: Allen Leech, Nina Bergman, Yan Tual, Riley Banzer, James Barton-Steel
Fun Facts: The director Sébastien Drouin was also the editor, special effects expert and the cinematographer.
Rating:
IMDb Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17067574/
