Cold Prey (2006) Review

Written by: BlackTequilaKiss   

There is something about crisp white snow surroundings that is stunning yet deeply disturbing. It is beautiful how bloody effects pressed against the snow can look even more true to the eye, how blood itself can look that more richer and redder against it. This may be why I adore films using this type of weather as it adds an extra layer.

Movies using such elements add an eerie presence and it is one of the many reasons I love Cold Prey.

I had heard nothing but good things about this film and decided to buy the 2 disc with the sequel attached. I thought this was a run of the mill horror story and in my honest opinion I had no idea it was a slasher flick, thinking it instead was some sort of ghost story. How glad I am that I was wrong.

This was an intense, enjoyable experience to say the least.

Plotline-- A group of friends are on a snowboarding vacation in Jotunheimen, however they are forced to take shelter when one of the friends breaks his legs up in the snowy mountains. With their car too far away they seek shelter elsewhere which is when they come across an abandoned hotel. Unbeknownst to them the hotel is still occupied by someone, surviving their stay is going to be killer!

I really loved the intensity of this movie. Following in the path of horror's such as Halloween it still retains it's own identity. It's the feeling of isolation that kept the tension murmured throughout the movie and hand on heart this is the first horror movie in a while that actually had me partially hiding behind the pillow. It is genuinely creepy yet tender.

To name all the actors is beyond my calling because prior to Cold Prey I have not seen them in anything else but as a little snippet all I can say is they nailed the roles given to them. Playing loved up then switching to vulnerable they switched their projective with a subtlety and kept the roles fresh I truly loved the actors in this who evidently gave their heart and soul to the project. However special praise must go to Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Jannicke who did such a fantastic job.

She started off fun loving, without a care in the world but as her and her friends are placed in greater danger she learns her role is to fight back. Her tough determination shines through and you see a character that has gone through so many stages to get her character to such a point. She does it with a great artistic temperament and I loved the stance of her character.

In my opinion everything about this movie shined. Yes there are some moments when you can guess what will happen but it doesn't take away from the sharpness and eeriness of the film. The surroundings of snow covered mountains are gorgeous and some of the respective scenery just looks so stunning in the lens of the camera. One such example is when the sun is set to a side against the snowed mountain, the resonance of it's gentle golden colour against such a backdrop just blew me away.

Cinematography as said above was breathtaking and the use of the camera against such shots was used to maximum effect and it shows. Decrepit stages of wear and tear within the hotel where the unknown assailant has been staying look perfectly in tune. Soundtrack? Gorgeous lol, I cannot complain. It was pretty much calm, moody throughout the movie and reveals and never too shrill it was a lovely compliment.

Now of the gore. I like that it was not overly done but when it was evident it was fantastic. Special effects company, Ghost ApS, did a brilliant job of making it as life like as possible so every death seemed as real as possible. You want generous blood splatter? You're going to love this movie! :)

This is a slasher movie that doesn't always follow formula. The killer I have to say was fantastic. The look was very tattered and because you never see his face just little glimpses it adds something extra especially when he is uses reveals to tight, taut moments. What really shocked me about this movie was we expect deaths it is a simple fact that surmises in every slasher but I admit it has been a long while since I have watched someone destined to die and actually felt a sadness about the fact.

Getting us to care for the character before the ultimately demise is a shock and there were many times I had my hand over my mouth in shock. That was the power of this movie. The core foundation.

I mentioned previously that there is one little complaint but it is nothing really. It is a tight movie because all of the components work together. Tension, fear and an actual caring feeling toward the characters make this a great little movie worthy of watching,

I don't want to go on any longer but just to say, watch this it is worth it, trust me. See the tension burning, enjoy the deaths and scream incessantly at the screen. In short, have a great night.

Thanks y'all! 9/10