A quiet night at work devolves into chaos when two security guards at a 24-hour self-storage facility uncover a decades-old secret that threatens all of humanity, in the absurdly entertaining dark comedy 'Cold Storage'.
Directed by Jonny Campbell and based on the novel (and screenplay) written by David Koepp, the film is a strange fusion of comedy and sci-fi, with a healthy dose of splatter horror thrown in for good measure. Its quirky storyline goes from strange to downright ludicrous and features a host of characters the audience will love – or love to hate. From its opening moments, it is clear the film doesn’t take itself too seriously and yet, it never feels like it’s trying too hard to be funny – a real feat considering the increasingly unhinged events that unfold.
Joe Keery ('Stranger Things') delivers a stand-out performance as Teacake, a down-on-his-luck young man whose graveyard shift turns into a waking nightmare. Chatty and adorably clueless, Teacake is the kind of endearing character you cannot help but cheer for and Keery’s hilariously expressive performance perfectly captures the panic, confusion and sheer fear of Teacake’s night. More often than not, Teacake’s expression in the moment says more than any cleverly written quip ever could – not that they aren’t enjoyable too.
Georgina Campbell is equally entertaining as Teacake’s coworker Naomi, whose ability to keep unnaturally calm in the midst of the growing crisis balances out Teacake’s propensity to panic and run. Together the two deliver a hilarious, at times surprisingly tender-hearted performance that keeps audiences entertained until the film’s final, action-packed moments. Liam Neeson delivers a stern, but surprisingly funny performance as Robert Quinn, a retired soldier and bio terrorism expert called in to neutralise the growing threat; while Lesley Manville and Ellora Torchia are equally entertaining as Quinn’s former army buddy Trini Romano and fellow soldier Abigail. Vanessa Redgrave gives a brief but entertaining performance as elderly customer Mary Rooney while Gavin Spokes stars as Teacake’s sleazy boss, Griffin.
As a splatter horror, 'Cold Storage' is filled to the brim with blood, bodily fluids and body parts and while there are definitely some stomach-churning moments, it never feels gratuitous.
Constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility, 'Cold Storage' is an enjoyable film that offers audiences the chance to completely escape reality.
