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22m ago

‘Dead of Winter’ Opens With Praise for Emma Thompson and Icy Craft, Pacing Draws Critique

Set on a frozen Minnesota lake, the kidnapping thriller unfolds as a tense, solitary rescue.

Emma Thompson’s Barb fights for survival in a scene from “Dead of Winter.” (Courtesy of Vertical)

Overview

  • The Brian Kirk–directed film opens Sept. 26 in theaters with an R rating.
  • Emma Thompson stars as Barb, who stumbles on a teen’s abduction and moves to stop a married pair of captors played by Judy Greer and Marc Menchaca.
  • Early reviews commend Thompson’s physically demanding, emotionally grounded performance as the movie’s anchor.
  • Critics highlight the wintry atmosphere and technical craft, noting Christopher Ross’s cinematography and Volker Bertelmann’s score, with Finland standing in for Northern Minnesota.
  • Common criticisms cite thin development of the kidnapped teen and flashbacks that disrupt momentum.