COLD STORAGE

Cold Storage embraces its gooey existence as it captures a campy, splatter 80s horror vibe, never for a second trying to be something more than its meant to be that when combined with committed performances from its lead cast, delivers one entertaining genre flick that is pure fun from start to finish.

Alien horror more often than not becomes a terrifying, heart pounding experience that features humanity ending stakes and deadly foes, as they all try to recapture the magic of some of the genres most notable films like Alien and The Thing. And while Cold Storage pulls ideas from the great films of the alien horror genre, it instead takes a more light hearted spin on the material that calls back to some of the most ridiculous, splatter horror films of the 1980s like The Blob and The Stuff. Delivering a fun natured, bloody and funny horror flick that thrives on the energy between and performances of Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell and Liam Neeson, Cold Storage does not disappoint as it spins a quickly paced and entertaining horror comedy for a one time watch.

David Koepp has written some of the biggest blockbusters and thrilling films, between classic hit films like Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible and Spider-Man, to underrated thrillers like last year’s Black Bag and Presence. But for his latest film, Koepp leaves behind these more serious stories and lets his fun side loose in the latest horror comedy Cold Storage. Pulling inspiration from films like The Thing, Gremlins and Evolution, Koepp has written a goofy, bloody and at times thrilling little horror film that taps into the splatter subgenre. Never taking itself seriously, this small horror film has the perfect balance of lore development, comedy and action that fills the runtime that never lets the pacing drag for a second, telling the story of an alien fungus wreaking havoc on a small storage locker facility and the unlikely heroes who find themselves as humanity's last line of defence. While there is a lot happening in this film, from a top secret government agency, a parasitic alien fungus to a gang of bikers robbing doing an illegal deal of out a storage locker, Koepp weaves it all together and ensures that the comradery between the film’s lead characters, Travis and Naomi, is not sacrificed for a second. Under Koepp’s writing, the story is engaging and fun, and even though it may not be the most original feeling story, it will no doubt satisfy any viewer’s itch for a goofy horror comedy.

While the story could easily be written off as too goofy or played too seriously that would prevent this film from working as it does, the lead cast fully understands Koepp’s tone of the story and leans heavily into it. There is no shortage of talent in this film, with Keery, Campbell, Neeson and Lesley Manville in the lead roles, and each of them knows exactly what is required of them. Keery and Campbell create an infectious banter as Travis and Naomi respectively, creating a fun energy for the film as their characters are trapped in the storage facility trying to survive the hostile takeover of the alien fungus that sparks the film to life, while being solid in their individual performances. Neeson brings that hardened action hero energy to Robert as he goes rogue against his former employer, dead set on making sure that this alien fungus won’t take over the world, and while she only shows up for a few scenes, Manville wielding a gun as Robert’s older partner Trini is an absolute blast.

Being a science fiction horror film, there is a natural reliance on visual effects, special effects and prosthetic makeup work. The CGI is serviceable, but sadly sticks out like a sore thumb too often due to the film’s lower budget nature preventing it from being great, but the prosthetic and makeup design is strong. Helping to turn the actors whose characters have come into contact with the fungus into agents of the invasive species, the makeup and prosthetic work brings to life the alien fungus’ control and decay of its hosts with the green veins and prosthetic work of the fungus devouring living flesh that is certain to creep out viewers. Leaning heavily into the splatter element of the story, the special effects team has great fun with all the blood and gooey messes they have to create, which all look appropriately disturbing as they help replicate the mess left behind by exploding individuals. And to match the fun spirited tone of the film, there are some incredibly needle drops to classic rock songs like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “One Way or Another” that liven the film up and keep the energy high, ensuring that if you give into it, you are guaranteed to have fun with Cold Storage.

While the film is not destined to demand multiple viewings upon its initial release, as the fun that David Koepp has crafted in Cold Storage is undeniably entertaining in a gooey and silly manner, the film has all the wacky and entertaining elements that could help it grow a cult following status over time. Despite the story’s elements feeling borrowed from other notable films that audiences have no doubt seen before, David Koepp infuses his alien horror movie with a wicked sense of fun that never lets up and elevates what could have been a rather mundane horror flick into a fun and bloody horror comedy. With the talents of Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville leading the film with an infectious energy and chemistry amongst them that fully commits to the tone of the story that David Koepp has written, Cold Storage goes hard on the laughter and splatter gore that makes this alien horror film one undeniably enjoyable time.