Dead of Winter – Film Review
by Brian Merriman

Directed by Brian Kirk
Written by Nicholas Jacobson-Larson · Dalton Leeb
Starring Emma Thompson · Judy Greer · Marc Menchaca · Laurel Marsden · Brían F. O’Byrne
Cinematography Christopher Ross
Music by Volker Bertelmann

While there are several previous movies called ‘Dead of Winter’, released in 2017, 2014, 1987, and 1945, this is an original work. This latest Dead of Winter stars Emma Thompson.

Filmed in Koli, Finland and North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the plot is actually set in a magnificent icy winter in Northern Minnesota, USA. There is a fine contribution from Irish actors, though their sure-footedness would embarrass any Irish person, as they cope with blizzards, frozen roads and a frozen lake with ease, compared to our tendency to shut down with a few inches of our (very wet) snow on the ground!

The backdrop scenes are truly visually spectacular, and Christopher Ross’s cinematography is quality work. Emma Thompson is the central character, Barb, a widow who goes into the remote countryside during a blizzard, to spread her late husband’s ashes (at his request) in Lake Hilda, where they had their first date.

As with all thrillers, the neighbours are weird and dangerous. Judy Greer as the lady in purple is positively scary. She has a desperate quest of her own, and nothing, not even brave Barb, is going to get in her way. Greer is chillingly detached throughout and a menacing presence.

What begins as picturesque and emotional quickly turns into those nightmare scenarios that seem to plague remote locations in the US, but Dead of Winter has a lot more to offer.

Barb’s weather-worn features match her courage, her principles and her incredibly brave instincts to protect young Leah, Laurel Marsden, who finds herself unwittingly in Greer’s sights.

The Men enjoy character names like Tall Hunter, Younger Hunter and Camo Jacket. Marc Menchaca is the unfortunate husband of the Purple Lady, and his portrayal of endurance is convincing and chilling…literally.

Brian F O’Byrne is the quintessential Rural (tall) hunter, continuing a trend where European actors are mastering US roles. O’Byrne and his sidekick Dalton Leeb (co-writer) look like the guys you would like to meet when you are trying to save a young woman from death at the hands of a deranged character. But in one of the many plot twists that illuminate the screenplay by Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb, which keeps you on your toes, and not all goes to type.

There are flashbacks to Barb’s young life with her boyfriend/husband Karl, well played by Lir graduate Cúán Hosty-Blaney. He is the latest in a line of young Irishmen who beguile the camera. The only issue with the flashback sequences is that, though they illustrate the love story well, there isn’t even a hint of how Barb matured into the incredibly principled and brave person that she is in later life.

Thompson (also an Executive Producer – another increasing trend in film) is powerful throughout the movie. Her physicality, her grit and her sacrifice keep you on the edge of your seat until the final sequences that continue to surprise.

Dead of Winter (2025) is very well directed by Brian Kirk, who masters the harsh landscape and talented cast. It is full of suspense, beauty, emotional manipulation and magnificent scenery. Well worth a trip to the cinema, which can only further enhance Thompson’s deserved reputation as an actor of great substance.