Chilled, literally

 A “Cold Storage” review

What could be more fun than a movie tackling a deadly virus, government secrets, and an unlikely duo being forced to save the day, right? That’s exactly the feel “Cold Storage” brings to the big screen. 

As a zombie-adjacent film, it might not be for everyone. However, if you’re down for some witty jokes, a few minor jump-scares, and a star-studded cast on your screen, you might actually have fun. At least, I did.

Based on the book of the same title written by David Koepp (the filmwriter of critically renowned movies such as “Jurassic Park” and “Mission: Impossible”), “Cold Storage” was released in mid-February. The film follows Joe Keery’s Travis “Teacake” Meacham and Georgina Campbell’s Naomi Williams as they team up at their place of business, which happens to be a storage establishment, and, unknown to them, a former bioweapons facility, to destroy a virus the government has long kept secret… or merely forgot about. Teacake and Naomi are involuntarily made to fight off exploding rats, Naomi’s ex-boyfriend, and a few deer as they find a way to survive the night. Liam Neeson’s character (a former bio-terror operative) and Trini Romano’s join the fray as the retired government operatives with somewhat expert knowledge of the alien virus, dealing with the surrounding politics and providing the main duo with the means to destroy anything zombie-related for good. 

While the film has many fun moments–and some well-timed jump-scares–it does follow a predictable ending, as most zombie films do. And while “Cold Storage” isn’t technically a zombie film (it doesn’t deal with the undead but living organisms infected with an incurable disease), it does carry that zombie vibe. Though not a cinematic masterpiece, due to its lighthearted nature the movie is a fun pastime for sci-fi and thriller-loving cinephiles. 

“Cold Storage” stars Joe Keery in his first role since “Stranger Things” premiered back in December. In addition to Keery, the film is surprisingly star-studded, which makes the acting enjoyable, showcasing cameos and talent in contrast with the otherwise predictable film. Overall, I would rate it a solid ⅗ stars (though Keery’s chaotic appearance, Campbell’s line delivery, and Neeson’s humorous pushback might just push it up to a four). The film is still in theaters, so go check it out if you want an entertaining watch.

By Adelle Hall