Quick Read
- Joe Keery stars in the new sci-fi horror comedy “Cold Storage,” set for release in February.
- The film, based on a novel by screenwriter David Koepp, also features Liam Neeson and Georgina Campbell.
- The plot involves security guards discovering a mutant fungus at a self-storage facility that turns people into zombies.
- “Cold Storage” will be released in the UK and Ireland on February 6, and in the US and Canada on February 13.
- Early reviews describe the film as having a “cheesy retro vibe” but note mixed reception regarding its humor and suspense.
LONDON (Azat TV) – Actor Joe Keery, widely recognized for his role in the hit series Stranger Things and his burgeoning music career as Djo, is set to appear in the new sci-fi horror comedy, Cold Storage. The film, which also stars Liam Neeson and Georgina Campbell, is generating early reviews as it prepares for its theatrical release, capitalizing on Keery’s significant rise in public profile.
Scheduled for release in the UK and Ireland on February 6, and in the US and Canada on February 13, Cold Storage is an adaptation of screenwriter David Koepp’s 2019 novel of the same name. Koepp, known for his work on blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Spider-Man, also penned the screenplay for this latest cinematic venture.
“Cold Storage” Plot and Cast
Directed by Jonny Campbell, Cold Storage plunges audiences into a slime-drenched scenario where two young security guards, played by Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell, stumble upon a dangerous secret within their self-storage facility. Deep beneath the ground, the remains of a defunct military base house a mutant fungus, previously contained by near-freezing temperatures. However, as global warming progresses, the fungus awakens, bursting forth to transform anyone it touches into a “ravenous zombie,” as described by the BBC.
The narrative begins decades earlier in a remote Western Australian Outback town, where a panicked call brings microbiologist Dr. Hero Martins (Sosie Bacon) and veteran NASA bioterrorism expert Robert Quinn (Liam Neeson) to investigate a strange phenomenon involving an overlooked oxygen tank. An iridescent green mold, a heterotrophic parasite stimulated by water, is discovered. This dangerous sample is then shipped to a US Defense Security facility in Kansas, which is later decommissioned and repurposed into the very self-storage company where Keery and Campbell’s characters work, its scientific findings forgotten deep underground.
Liam Neeson’s character, a former bioterrorism agent, becomes crucial to preventing a global infection. The film also features British acting veterans Vanessa Redgrave and Lesley Manville in supporting roles, whose “inimitable style is a plus,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Joe Keery’s Rising Star and “Cold Storage” Reception
Joe Keery’s involvement in Cold Storage comes at a peak moment in his career. NexusPointNews highlighted his “unfathomable success within recent months,” noting that Stranger Things concluded to positive reception and his musical career as Djo has “blown up to stratospheric proportions” with his hit song “End of Beginning” becoming a global playlist staple. This amplified public interest is expected to draw additional attention to his latest film role.
Early critical assessments of Cold Storage have been mixed. The Hollywood Reporter noted a “likeably cheesy retro vibe” but ultimately described it as “generically familiar, like under-seasoned comfort food,” suggesting that while “well-paced and watchable,” it is “nobody’s strongest work.” The review further added that Koepp’s script is “neither consistently funny nor suspenseful enough to make Cold Storage memorable,” though it “should find an audience once it hits streaming.”
Similarly, NexusPointNews found that “occasional laughs can’t save a script absent of palpable stakes and intrigue,” despite the cast’s efforts. The review criticized the film for “sluggish action and an uninspired symbiotic threat” that “never evolve past its initial premise.” It also pointed out that the film “rejects substance below surface level,” often feeling like it was “created for the purpose of singular moments.” However, NexusPointNews did commend the “surprisingly robust visual direction” as a “saving grace.” Keery’s performance, according to NexusPointNews, saw him “land his one-liners and charm with a familiar poise, yet one a step up from his escapades within Hawkins.”
Behind the Sci-Fi Horror Comedy
David Koepp, who adapted his own novel for the screen, has a long history of crafting engaging genre films. Director Jonny Campbell, with credits including an opening episode of the BBC-Netflix series Dracula, demonstrated a facility for mixing horror with playful humor, a style he brings to Cold Storage. The production companies behind the film include Studio Canal and Pariah, with Gavin Polone and Koepp himself serving as producers.
Cold Storage attempts to blend action, laughs, and horror into a cohesive experience. While some critics suggest it falls short of its full potential, the presence of a strong ensemble cast and a seasoned screenwriter like Koepp aims to deliver a unique take on the contagion-apocalypse subgenre.
As Joe Keery continues to navigate a multi-faceted career spanning acting and music, his role in films like Cold Storage underscores his evolving range and willingness to explore diverse genres, even as critical reception highlights the perennial challenge of translating compelling literary concepts into equally impactful cinematic experiences.