Here's the uncomfortable truth: Hollywood loves recycling tropes, but Cold Storage might just mutate them into something thrillingly grotesque. Imagine Stranger Things meets The Last of Us, with a dash of Neeson's signature growl—sounds like chaos, right? It is.
Samuel Goldwyn Films has snagged the North American rights to Studiocanal's Cold Storage, a sci-fi comedy that promises an explosive blend of terror and laughs. Directed by Jonny Campbell (Dracula) and written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible), the film boasts an ensemble cast including Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Georgina Campbell (Barbarian), Sosie Bacon (Smile), and Hollywood legends Vanessa Redgrave and Lesley Manville. Oh, and Liam Neeson as a retired bioterror operative? That's the cherry on top—or maybe the mushroom spore.
The plot centers on Teacake (Keery) and Naomi (Campbell), two self-storage employees who find themselves battling a parasitic fungus that's been sealed underground since its military base days. As temperatures rise, so does the fungus's appetite for destruction—turning humans into brain-controlled hosts in the process. Think Zombieland humor colliding with Panic Room-style tension, all while Koepp's script injects his trademark wit into the madness.
Let's talk symbolism—or lack thereof. While many sci-fi horrors use monsters as metaphors (climate change, pandemics, etc.), Cold Storage leans unapologetically into its absurdity. The parasitic fungus isn't just a plot device; it's a character in its own right, mutating faster than Hollywood's obsession with sequels. And with Gavin Polone (Zombieland) producing, expect sharp pacing and moments of dark hilarity.
But here's the twist: Liam Neeson's role as a retired bioterror operative isn't just action-hero fluff—it's layered. His character embodies humanity's failure to contain its own creations, adding depth to an otherwise chaotic narrative. Neeson battling fungi might sound ridiculous, but don't underestimate his ability to elevate even the most bizarre premises (remember Taken 3?).
Historically, films like The Thing or 28 Days Later have thrived by blending body horror with social commentary. Will Cold Storage follow suit or veer into pure popcorn territory? Early buzz suggests the latter—but sometimes, mindless fun is exactly what audiences crave.
Would you risk your sanity for a night shift at Teacake and Naomi's storage facility? Or are you already itching to see Neeson take down brain-bursting fungi? Either way, Cold Storage is primed to infect theaters nationwide later this year. Comment below: Is this the next cult classic or just another spore in Hollywood's petri dish?
