Cold Storage (2026) Movie Review: A Gooey and Gleeful Throwback to the Creature Features of Yesterday with A-List Talent

Cold Storage is a 2026 sci-fi horror comedy directed by Jonny Campbell, featuring a screenplay by David Koepp, who adapted the script from his own 2019 novel. Produced by a collaborative effort including StudioCanal, Ciné+OCS, and Bibi Film tv, the film brings together an unexpectedly high-caliber ensemble including Georgina Campbell, Joe Keery, and the legendary Liam Neeson. The story centers on a night shift at a secluded self-storage facility that spirals into a biological nightmare when a parasitic fungus, sealed away by the government decades ago, escapes its underground tomb.

This project is significant because it represents a rare moment where top-tier Hollywood writing and acting talent fully commit to a "splattery" genre hybrid without irony. It marks a return to the director’s chair for Jonny Campbell, who hasn't helmed a feature since his 2006 effort, and it serves as a showcase for Joe Keery’s leading-man potential following his iconic run on Stranger Things. After a staggered international rollout starting in late January, the film arrived in United States theaters on February 13, 2026, perfectly timed for a Friday the 13th opening weekend.

Story and Screenplay: A Viral Descent into Self-Storage Madness

The narrative quality of Cold Storage rests heavily on David Koepp’s ability to ground outlandish science fiction in a sense of historical reality. By tethering the origin of the alien fungus to the real-life 1979 Skylab debris crash in Australia, the script immediately establishes a "what if" scenario that feels tangible. The structure is quite clever, beginning with a high-tension prologue set eighteen years in the past before shifting to the modern-day, dead-end lives of the protagonists. This jump in time creates an effective sense of dramatic irony; as an audience, we spend the first act waiting for the two unsuspecting storage workers to realize the magnitude of the horror brewing beneath their feet.

In terms of pacing and rhythm, the film moves with the speed of its rapidly mutating antagonist. After the initial world-building, it settles into a claustrophobic, labyrinthine thriller. The script finds a unique voice in its "daft throwback" sensibility, often taking bizarre digressions into how thermometers function or the proper use of advanced vocabulary. While the overarching plot follows a somewhat predictable path, the originality lies in the specific details of the fungus itself, which acts with a terrifying efficiency that rivals the "zombies" seen in modern classics. However, a common observation is that the script could have pushed further into the backstories of Travis and Naomi, as their personal histories remain somewhat murky even as they face extinction.

Acting and Characters: Charm and Chemistry Amidst the Carnage

The true engine of this film is the partnership between Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell. Keery plays Travis, also known by the unfortunate nickname Teacake, with a bleached-blonde, endearingly dopey charisma. He manages to portray an ex-convict trying to fly under the radar without losing the "everyman" relatability that makes him a joy to watch. Georgina Campbell is equally impressive as Naomi, providing a grounded intensity that keeps the film from floating away into pure absurdity. Their chemistry feels electric and natural, especially as the power dynamic shifts; it is Naomi who often takes the lead, subverting the tired trope of the female lead waiting for instructions.

The supporting cast is an absolute embarrassment of riches for a B-movie. Liam Neeson plays Robert Quinn, a weathered operative who has been haunted by this fungus for twenty years. Neeson leans into his "tough guy on the phone" persona but adds a layer of levity and self-parody that is genuinely refreshing. The inclusion of Vanessa Redgrave as a storage unit holder and Lesley Manville as Quinn’s partner provides a level of gravitas that few horror comedies can claim. Redgrave, in particular, delivers one of the film’s most memorable highlights, proving that even a legendary dramatic actress can have a blast with a handgun and a mutant alien.

Direction and Technical Aspects: Navigating the Corridors of Contagion

Jonny Campbell directs with a clear reverence for the tactile, messy horror of the past. His vision turns the sterile, boring environment of a storage facility into a labyrinth of shadows and steel. The visual composition makes excellent use of the confined spaces, building a sense of dread as the fungus spreads through ventilation shafts and elevators. One of the standout sequences involves an ingenious time-lapse of a cockroach, which serves as a visual metaphor for the inevitable failure of human containment systems.

The production design by StudioCanal and the rest of the team creates a world that feels "pro-growth" in the most disturbing way possible. However, the technical aspects are not without their hurdles. There is a noticeable reliance on CGI for the infected animals and some of the more elaborate body-horror moments. While the "zombified" deer and cats are creative in concept, the digital execution can sometimes feel a bit distracting, lacking the physical weight that practical effects might have provided. Despite this, the editing keeps the story tight at under a hundred minutes, ensuring that the momentum never flags even when the tonal shifts between comedy and horror become a bit jarring.

Trailer Cold Storage (2026)

Music and Atmosphere: Satire, Scares, and Retro Soundscapes

The overall mood of Cold Storage is one of "gleeful excess." It manages to be genuinely gory and legitimately funny at the same time, striking a tone reminiscent of satiric black comedies. This atmosphere is bolstered by a series of nostalgic needle drops, including tracks from Blue Oyster Cult and Blondie, which emphasize the film’s status as a spiritual successor to eighties midnight movies. The sound design is particularly effective, utilizing the repetitive, annoying beeping of an alarm as a harbinger of doom, which adds to the mounting tension in the first act.

Audio plays a significant role in enhancing the experience of the "brain-controlling" fungus. The squelching sounds of mutation and the frantic, distorted vocalizations of the infected create a sensory experience that is both repulsive and captivating. The atmosphere feels designed for a communal theatrical experience, where the jumpscares are earned and the humor is dark enough to make you laugh while you cringe. It is a "unserious" sci-fi ride that values heart and entertainment over complex scientific exposition, making it an ideal choice for a rowdy Friday night audience.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Stellar Leading Duo: Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell carry the film with exceptional chemistry and charisma, making their burgeoning romance feel earned amidst the chaos.
• Witty Script: David Koepp brings a level of intelligence and humor to the dialogue that elevates the B-movie premise.
• Supporting Heavyweights: Seeing Liam Neeson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Lesley Manville fully embrace the silliness of a creature feature is a rare and delightful treat.
• Efficient Pacing: With a runtime of 99 minutes, the film is a brisk and energetic ride that never overstays its welcome.
• Opening Sequence: The prologue in Australia is a masterclass in establishing tone and immediate stakes.

Weaknesses

• CGI Reliance: The digital effects on the infected animals and certain gore sequences can occasionally feel "too silly" or lacking in tactile realism.
• Second-Half Tonal Issues: The transition from building dread to overt action-comedy can be a bit bumpy, with the comedy sometimes overshadowing the suspense.
• Underused Talent: Despite her great performance, Lesley Manville is given far too little screen time compared to her costars.
• Generic Beats: While the execution is top-notch, the actual plot of a government virus escaping into the world follows a very familiar and predictable path.

Final Verdict: A Messy, Memorable, and Microscopic Apocalypse

Rating: 4/5 stars

Cold Storage is a far better film than its "fungus-on-a-bender" premise might suggest. It is a well-polished form of genre entertainment that manages to honor its influences like Shaun of the Dead and The Thing without being a direct copy. While it might struggle to balance its various subgenres in the final act, and the digital creatures won't be winning any awards for realism, the sheer joy of the performances and the sharpness of the writing make it a winner. It is a movie that embraces its own goofiness with a confidence that is completely infectious.

This is a film specifically for people who miss the era of high-budget creature features that weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. If you have a proclivity for the repulsive, a love for dark satire, or a desire to see Joe Keery battle monsters outside of a small Indiana town, this is exactly what you need. Those looking for a deep, psychologically complex horror film or a scientifically accurate thriller may find it a bit too light or "daft." However, for the rest of us, it is a fun, splattery, and heart-filled night at the movies.

Recommendation: Grab a large bucket of popcorn and see this with a rowdy crowd. It’s the perfect "guilty pleasure" that actually has the talent to back up its ambition. Avoid if you have a weak stomach for exploding eyeballs, but otherwise, dive in!