Chris and Jessica highlight the film's unique storytelling, which blends real historical events with absurdity, as they follow two night shift workers, Tea Cake and Naomi, played by Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell. Their relatable characters find themselves in an outrageous situation, and the hosts appreciate how their ordinary lives ground the chaos around them. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, making their struggle against the bizarre events feel authentic and engaging.
The episode also delves into the performances of Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville as former Pentagon operatives, whose complex dynamic adds depth to the narrative. Chris and Jessica discuss how their characters grapple with past mistakes while navigating the unfolding chaos, enriching the film with emotional stakes.
Listeners will be captivated by the portrayal of the fungus itself, which introduces a unique twist on the zombie genre with its brain-controlling properties and explosive infected. The hosts commend the film's ability to maintain tension and humor, showcasing a script that knows how to embrace its absurdity while delivering smart commentary.
With a score of 7.5 out of 10 and an MA rating, this episode invites listeners to consider whether they are ready for a film that combines dark humor, sci-fi thrills, and unexpected emotional depth. Join Chris and Jessica as they explore the wild ride that is *Cold Storage*, a film that challenges viewers to embrace its madness while delivering entertainment in spades.
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This episode includes AI-generated content.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Chris: Okay, so here's a what if the most
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 dangerous thing to ever come out of space
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 wasn't an asteroid or aliens, but
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 a tiny parasitic fungus? That's the
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 premise of this movie. And let me tell you,
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 it's as wild as it sounds.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 Jessica: It really is. I mean, the idea of
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 Skylab falling out of orbit in 1979
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 and leaving behind a tank of fungus that
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 eventually causes a zombie outbreak,
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 that's such a unique and bizarre starting
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 point for a story. It's like they took a real
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 historical event and turned it into this
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 darkly comedic sci fi horror ride.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 Chris: Exactly. And what's so clever is how they
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 connect the dots. The tank crashes in the
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 Australian outback, sits there for years, and
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 then microscopic cracks let the fungus
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 escape. Fast forward to the present day
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 and this thing is buried under a self storage
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 facility in Kansas. It's such a ridiculous
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 chain of events, but it works because it's
00:00:57 --> 00:00:58 so unexpected.
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 Jessica: And then you've got these two night shift
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 workers, Tea Cake and Naomi, who
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 accidentally stumble across it. I m love
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 how the movie sets them up as these totally
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 ordinary people just trying to get through
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 their shifts before throwing them into this
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 insane situation. It makes the whole
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 thing feel more grounded even as the story
00:01:18 --> 00:01:19 gets crazier.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 Chris: Right. And Joe Keery as Tea Cake is just
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 perfect. He's got that laid back, slightly
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 quirky vibe that makes him instantly likable.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:30 And then there's Georgina Campbell as Naomi,
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 who's this young mom just trying to make ends
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 meet. Their chemistry is great because
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 they're so different, but they balance each
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 other out totally.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 Jessica: And what I really liked is how they're not
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 portrayed as heroes. They're just two regular
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 people who are completely out of their
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 depths. It makes their reactions to
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 everything feel so real. You can't help but
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 root for them even when they're clearly in
00:01:53 --> 00:01:54 over their heads.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:58 Chris: And then of course, you bring in Liam Neeson
00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 and Leslie Manville as these former Pentagon
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 operatives. I mean, Liam Neeson as Major
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 Quinn. You know he's going to bring that
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 intense, no nonsense energy. But what I
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 loved is how the movie plays with that. He's
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 not just the stoic action hero. There's this
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 edge to him, like he's carrying some baggage
00:02:15 --> 00:02:15 from his past.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 Jessica: Yes, and Lesley Manville as Colonel Trini
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 Romano is such a great counterbalance to him.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 She's calm, collected, and clearly the brains
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 of the operation. Together they have
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 this dynamic that feels lived in, like
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 they've been through a lot together. It
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 adds another layer to the story because you
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 can tell there's history there.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 Chris: And that history becomes really important as
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 the story unfolds. They're not just there to
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 save the day. They're grappling with their
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 own past mistakes and trying to make things
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 right. It gives the movie a surprising amount
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 of depth, especially for something that's so
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 over the top.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 Jessica: Speaking of over the top, let's talk about
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 the fungus itself. The way it's portrayed is
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 so creepy and unsettling. It's not just
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 your typical zombie outbreak. This is a
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 parasitic organism that takes over its host's
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 brain. And then just when you think it can't
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 get any worse, the infected explode. It's
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 such a unique twist that keeps you on edge.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 Chris: Yeah, the whole walking dead before a lights
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 out explosion thing is such a clever way to
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 raise the stakes. You're not just worried
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 about the infected attacking, you're also
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 waiting for them to go boom. It adds this
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 extra layer of tension that keeps you
00:03:28 --> 00:03:29 guessing, and that's what
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 Jessica: makes the movie so entertaining. It's not
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 just the action or the horror, it's. It's the
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 way it leans into its own absurdity. The
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 script is so off the wall, but it's also
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 really smart. It knows exactly what it is and
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 doesn't try to be anything else.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 Chris: Absolutely. And I think a lot of that comes
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 down to the team behind it. David Koop,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 who wrote the book and the screenplay, has
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 such a knack for blending science and
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 spectacle. I mean, this is the guy who wrote
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 Jurassic Park. He knows how to take these
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 big, outlandish ideas and make them feel
00:04:02 --> 00:04:03 grounded and engaging.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 Jessica: And then you've got Johnny Campbell
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 directing, bringing this zany, high energy
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 vibe to the whole thing. There's the sense of
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 fun and unpredictability that runs through
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 the entire movie. Even in the darker,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 more dramatic moments. There's this
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 underlying sense that the filmmakers are
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 having a blast and that energy is
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 infectious.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 Chris: Speaking of infectious, how about Vanessa
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 Redgrave's cameo? I did not see
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 that coming. She plays this elderly,
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 suicidal client at the storage facility,
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 and her performance is just wow.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 It's such a small role, but she makes such an
00:04:41 --> 00:04:41 impact.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:44 Jessica: Oh, absolutely. She's only on screen
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 for a few minutes, but she brings so much
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 depth and emotion to the character. It's one
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 of those moments that catches you off guard
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 because it's so different from the rest of
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 the movie. But it works.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 It adds this unexpected layer of humanity to
00:04:57 --> 00:05:00 the story, and that's what I
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 Chris: think makes this movie stand out. It's not
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 just a mindless splatterfest. There's heart
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 and humor and even a bit of social commentary
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 woven into the chaos. It's ridiculous,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 yes, but it's also really smart and well
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 crafted.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 Jessica: Exactly. It's the kind of movie that knows
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 how to have fun while still giving you
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 something to think about. And it's not afraid
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 to take risks or be a little weird. That's
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 what makes it so memorable.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:28 Chris: So the big question Is it worth seeing?
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 Jessica: Oh, definitely. If you're into dark
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 comedy, sci fi, or just want something
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 completely different, this is a must watch.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:39 It's not for everyone. If you're squeamish or
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 don't like over the top humor, it might not
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 be your cup of tea, but if you're willing to
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 embrace the madness, you're in for a treat.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 Chris: I agree. It's one of those movies that you
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 just have to experience for yourself. It's
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 not perfect, but it's so unique and
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 entertaining that you can't help but enjoy
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 the ride. I'd say it's worth the price of
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 Jessica: admission, and with a rating of MA and a
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 solid 7 and a half out of 10, it's clear that
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 this movie delivers on what it promises. It's
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 ridiculous fun, plain and simple.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:13 Chris: Well said. So grab your popcorn, buckle up
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 and get ready for a wild ride. This one's
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 definitely worth checking out.