Dead of Winter with No Help in Sight

John M. Delia Jr
Sep 26
3 min read

Winter in Minnesota can be brutal for even the locals and can become even worse as you travel up to the northern part of the state. Blizzards are frequent! The ice on the roads, the frozen car doors, the icicles forming on the trees and roofs of the cabins, the frozen over lakes, and the wind blowing at your back as you try and enjoy the peace and tranquility that inhabits the north. Ice fishing is a passion for most residents and is very big during this time of the year. The cabin or huts have their chimney stacks working overtime trying to keep their inhabitants warm as they attempt to and catch their allotment for the day. With all of this excitement going on it can be spooky, especially if something dangerous now approaches.

For Barb (Emma Thompson), this adventure up to Lake Hilda in northern Minnesota is a promise she made after her husband passed away. This was the location of their first date many years ago and it was a memory she cherished very much. When traveling up to the Lake, Barb hears on the radio that a severe storm is heading into the area causing some concern but being from Minnesota that is a common occurrence. As she is driving, she brings herself back to this wonderful recollection when young Karl (Cúán Hosty-Blaney) brought young Barb (Gaia Wise) on her first time experience of ice fishing. There are many flashbacks throughout the tale filling in the blanks as the journey continues.

Eventually the story gets vigorous when she comes across a cabin while trying to locate the lake as the storm starts to become harsh. Here she meets some fascinating characters, the man in the Camo Jacket (Marc Menchaca) who gives her directions to the lake, later on in the film the Purple Lady (Judy Greer), and a mysterious guest Leah (Laurel Marsden). Fierce situations and fear eventually cause Barb to try and plan her escape through a winter wonderland that can potentially become her doom.

Director Brian Kirk establishes a perfect scenario similar to the classic film the Shinning, but nowhere as intense or mysterious. This exploit is more of a realistic situation that could happen to anyone who travels in such a remote area. The buildup of the plot is put together well, and Kirk helps to keep the narrative truthful. He includes some interesting scenes with escapes, traps, diversions, and some one-on-one fight sequences. The performance by the actors keeps the escapade believable and entertaining, especially the rendition from Emma Thompson. Also, the supporting cast of Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca, and Laurel Marsden was presented well.

This fun and powerful account fulfills its intentions and is worth spending the time surviving the outcome of this dangerous ordeal. It includes a fear and edgy quest through the eyes of an unexpecting person, who now has to figure out a way to persevere and also save a helpless victim from certain doom. There are enough action and suspense to keep those junkies interested and intrigued for most of the film and engross everyone else in its content.