Dead of Winter Brings Frozen Suspense to Life
“Dead of Winter” is the kind of thriller that manages to feel both familiar and fresh, and a lot of that has to do with Emma Thompson stepping into a role that is nothing like what we usually see from her. The movie is set in northern Minnesota, though in reality, most of it was filmed in Finland because Minnesota didn’t have the snow needed during production. Climate change had left the Northland unusually bare in early 2024, so filmmakers went overseas to capture the icy landscapes. Ironically, Finland’s frozen lakes and vast forests turned out to be convincing enough to pass for somewhere just north of Bemidji.
At the heart of the story is Thompson’s character, Barb Sorensen, a widow making a solitary trip to scatter her late husband’s ashes at a lake that holds deep personal meaning. What begins as a quiet, emotional journey quickly turns into a high-stakes fight for survival. Barb stumbles upon a chilling scene: a young woman being held captive by a couple played by Judy Greer and Marc Menchaca. With no one around to call for help, Barb must rely on her instincts, her wilderness know-how, and, occasionally, a tackle box full of improvised tools to outsmart the captors.
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The film blends tones that might remind you of “Fargo,” “Home Alone,” and even a bit of “MacGyver.” There’s dark humor in the bleakness, clever resourcefulness in Barb’s methods, and an undercurrent of dread that doesn’t let up. Thompson grounds all of this with a performance that’s both restrained and magnetic. She doesn’t need to say much—her presence, her expressions, and her sheer determination carry the weight of the film.
Judy Greer delivers a memorable performance as one of the villains, unraveling mentally and physically as the story progresses. Meanwhile, flashbacks show Barb’s earlier life, portrayed by Thompson’s daughter Gaia Wise, alongside her late husband at different ages. These scenes build emotional depth, though they also lead to a twist that may feel a little too melodramatic for some viewers. Still, they serve as a reminder of the life Barb once had and the strength she draws from her memories.
Visually, the film takes full advantage of its frozen setting. Cinematographer Christopher Ross captures the beauty and menace of snowbound isolation, while Volker Bertelmann’s score amplifies the tension, keeping audiences alert as danger closes in.
Yes, “Dead of Winter” follows some familiar thriller patterns, and a few plot holes go unexplained. But what it lacks in surprise, it makes up for with heart and atmosphere. This is a film about resilience, about finding grit when the odds are stacked against you, and about the haunting quiet of winter that can conceal both beauty and menace.
Opening on September 26, “Dead of Winter” doesn’t just tell a story set in Minnesota—it brings audiences into a frozen world where survival depends on courage, quick thinking, and the refusal to back down. Emma Thompson ensures it’s a ride worth taking.
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