Synopsis: When a highly dangerous fungus escapes from a secret laboratory, a former bioterrorism agent is called back into action. Alongside two young employees, he must confront an invisible and out-of-control threat.
Director: Jonny Campbell
Stars: Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell
At this point in his career, Liam Neeson has become synonymous with a certain kind of thriller. He plays the grizzled, determined man who steps into danger when no one else will. Cold Storage fits comfortably within that lane, but what makes the film more enjoyable than expected is how much the spotlight ends up being shared with its supporting cast, particularly Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell, who frequently steal the show.
The film centres on a long-contained biological threat locked away in a government storage facility. Years earlier, the organism was secured and buried deep underground after proving nearly impossible to kill. Of course, the worst-case scenario eventually happens: the containment system begins to fail, and the creature—capable of rapidly spreading and mutating—threatens to escape into the world above. What follows is a tense, often darkly funny race to prevent a catastrophe before the infection spreads beyond control.
Neeson plays the government agent who originally helped secure the organism decades earlier. Now older but still formidable, he’s called back when things start to go wrong. It’s a role that fits Neeson like a well-worn coat. He brings the same steady authority and quiet intensity that audiences have come to expect. While the character doesn’t reinvent the Neeson action template, his presence grounds the story and gives the film a reliable centre.
However, the real surprise of Cold Storage is how much energy comes from Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell, who play two unsuspecting employees caught in the middle of the unfolding disaster. Keery, known for balancing humour with panic in high-pressure situations, brings a frantic charm to his role. His reactions often feel the most human in a film that deals with increasingly bizarre and dangerous circumstances. Campbell matches him beat for beat, delivering a performance that is both sharp and resourceful. Together, they create a dynamic that keeps the film lively even when the plot leans into familiar territory.
Another highlight is Lesley Manville, who appears in a role that lets her break away from the more restrained characters she’s often known for. Here she’s tough, commanding, and completely believable as someone willing to make hard decisions in a crisis. Watching Manville step into full “badass” mode is one of the film’s genuine pleasures.
Cold Storage may not reinvent the thriller genre, but it doesn’t need to. With a fast-moving premise, a fun sci-fi horror concept, and a cast clearly enjoying themselves, the film delivers exactly the kind of entertaining ride audiences expect from a Liam Neeson-led project, while letting its supporting players shine even brighter.
Grade: B-
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