Cold Meat

Cold Meat (2023): A Chilling Tale of Survival and Psychological Warfare

Cold Meat (2023) is an intense survival thriller directed by Sébastien Drouin in his feature film debut. This UK–Canadian–French co-production blends psychological drama with folk-horror elements, all set against the brutal and unforgiving backdrop of the Colorado Rockies. Tense, claustrophobic, and unpredictable, the film explores what happens when human survival instincts collide with trauma, trust, and the unknown.

The story follows David Petersen, played by Allen Leech, a seemingly ordinary man traveling through a snowstorm. He stops at a quiet roadside diner, where he meets Ana, a waitress portrayed by Nina Bergman. Ana is visibly shaken and on the run from her abusive ex-husband. After a violent altercation, David offers to help her escape by giving her a ride through the mountains. What starts as a tense but sympathetic gesture quickly spirals into something much darker.

As the storm intensifies, the two crash into a ravine and become stranded in the wilderness. Here, the narrative takes a shocking turn—Ana breaks free from the trunk of the car, revealing a reversal in the power dynamic. Now trapped in the freezing cold with limited resources and no rescue in sight, the psychological tension between them escalates. Both characters are forced to confront not just each other, but their own inner demons.

Adding to the pressure is the growing sense that something else may be lurking outside in the storm. Whether it's a predator, a ghost, or simply the manifestation of their fears, the atmosphere becomes increasingly surreal and terrifying. The film flirts with folk horror, suggesting that the woods surrounding them may be cursed or haunted. Drouin cleverly uses isolation, darkness, and sound design to build suspense without over-relying on special effects.

The film is notable for its minimalist setting—most of the action takes place inside a snowbound vehicle. This confined space becomes the stage for an emotional and physical chess match between the two leads. The performances are central to the film’s impact: Allen Leech delivers a layered portrayal of a man whose motives shift from heroic to ambiguous, while Nina Bergman’s Ana grows from vulnerable to empowered, revealing hidden depths of strength and complexity.

Clocking in at around 90 minutes, Cold Meat moves quickly, though some viewers may find certain plot developments abrupt or overly dramatic. Nonetheless, the screenplay has been praised for its tight structure, strong dialogue, and unexpected twists. The film’s final act blends psychological realism with dark mythology, leaving viewers with lingering questions about morality, guilt, and survival.

Critically, the film was well received for its fresh take on the survival genre. It became a surprise streaming hit thanks to strong word-of-mouth and a unique premise that appealed to fans of both thriller and horror. Its visual storytelling and sparse, snow-covered landscape provide an ideal canvas for dread and desperation.

In conclusion, Cold Meat is a taut and gripping thriller that uses minimal resources to maximum effect. Through a smart blend of character-driven drama and eerie suspense, it explores the limits of trust, the legacy of trauma, and the primal instincts that surface when humans are pushed to their edge.