Liam Neeson Battles a Deadly Fungus in ‘Cold Storage’
Directed by Jonny Campbell and adapted by David Koepp from his novel, Cold Storage delivers a unique blend of sci-fi, horror, and comedy. The film, featuring a stellar cast including Liam Neeson, Sosie Bacon, Lesley Manville, and Vanessa Redgrave, throws audiences into a frantic race against time to contain a mutating fungal virus with potentially catastrophic consequences. While pandemic-themed humor can be tricky, Cold Storage manages to land a few genuine laughs, offering a surprisingly diverting experience even after gathering dust on a shelf for two years.
A Retro Vibe with a Modern Threat
Joe Keery, known for his role in Stranger Things, leads the cast alongside Georgina Campbell. The film’s aesthetic leans into a ‘80s nostalgia, creating a cheesy yet appealing retro vibe. While it doesn’t directly mirror any existing property, Cold Storage evokes a familiar comfort-food feeling, blending creeping dread, gory set-pieces, and droll character banter. Fans of Stranger Things might find a similar tonal wavelength, but Cold Storage ultimately carves its own path.
The Plot Thickens: From Space Debris to Global Threat
The story begins with a chilling reference to a Skylab space station that fell to Earth in 1979, carrying countless scientific experiments. Decades later, a strange outbreak occurs in a remote Western Australian Outback town, with residents found dead, their bodies horrifically cracked open. Microbiologist Dr. Hero Martins (Sosie Bacon) and veteran NASA bioterrorism expert Robert Quinn (Liam Neeson) are called in to investigate, discovering an iridescent green mold growing on an overlooked oxygen tank – a heterotrophic parasite capable of rapid mutation and adaptation. As NASA explains, understanding space debris is crucial for planetary safety.
From Abandoned Facility to Urgent Crisis
The sample is shipped to a Defense Security facility in Kansas, which is later decommissioned and turned into a self-storage company. The film then jumps to the present day, where Travis (Joe Keery), a nightshift worker with a troubled past, and Naomi (Georgina Campbell) stumble upon strange occurrences in the lower levels of the facility. Their investigation reveals the aggressive green virus, which quickly finds hosts in various creatures, including a deer, a cat, and even an obnoxious ex-boyfriend. The situation escalates rapidly, requiring the help of unlikely allies, including veteran actor Vanessa Redgrave’s character, Mary Rooney.
Neeson’s Gravitas and a Race Against Time
Liam Neeson brings his signature dry humor and gravitas to the role of Robert Quinn, providing a steady presence amidst the chaos. However, the script, penned by David Koepp, doesn’t consistently deliver on its comedic or suspenseful potential. While the film boasts impressive gross-out makeup effects and a self-aware tone, it ultimately falls short of being truly memorable. Despite this, Cold Storage is a painless and diverting watch, likely to find an audience on streaming platforms.
The Bottom Line
Cold Storage isn’t quite infectious, but it’s far from deadly. It’s a lively B-movie scenario with appealing underdogs and a compelling premise, offering a fun, albeit flawed, sci-fi horror experience. The film’s willingness to not take itself too seriously is a definite plus.
Release Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Cast: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Sosie Bacon, Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Brake, Aaron Heffernan, Ellora Torchia
Director: Jonny Campbell
Screenwriter: David Koepp, based on his novel
Rating: R
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
