‘Some pasts won’t let go’
So Cold the River is a 2022 American horror film about a documentary filmmaker’s research on a town’s mysterious benefactor. Unfortunately, she unearths an unexplained evil.
Written and directed by Paul Shoulberg (The Good Catholic; Ms White Light) based on Michael Koryta’s novel of the same name. Produced by John Robert Armstrong, Zachary Spicer and Claire Tuft.
The 1804 Productions-Pigasus Pictures co-production stars Bethany Joy Lenz, Katie Sarife, Deanna Dunagan, Andrew J. West and Alysia Reiner.
Plot:
Documentary filmmaker Erica Shaw is hired to profile ailing millionaire Campbell Bradford, whose sole clue is an antique bottle filled with water from a local spring.
While staying at a luxury hotel resort in town, Erica meets a descendant of Bradford’s and learns of a familial curse of mysterious suicides and deaths, and as she begins drinking from the antique bottle, she is subjected to terrifying visions and unleashes an unspeakable evil…
Reviews:
” …doesn’t evolve beyond atmospheric. Its tale of disgraced filmmaking colliding with billionaire sins in the name of the supernatural never coalesces into something worthwhile or something that makes total sense. I would believe you if you told me the filmmakers ran out of money before finishing the climax.” ** Flickering Myth
“While So Cold the River may not be a perfect film, it’s an effective and entertaining indie mystery/thriller that immerses you in its world and holds your attention throughout the film’s 95-minute running time. Writer/director Paul Shoulberg has crafted a beautiful film to behold, an impressive realization of Koryta’s literary vision and a story with quiet chills and thrills…” Grade B/*** The Independent Critic
“From a filmmaking standpoint, the trickery is simple, such as jump cuts (a train appearing out of nowhere) and staging that exploits camera movement […] but effective. On a foundational level, a lot of this story is supernatural hokum. Even so, So Cold the River smartly plays it straight, with some concern for the actual and potential darkness in its characters, and with an engaging sense of ethereal mystery.” 3 out of 4 stars Mark Reviews Movies
“By the time the last act rolls around and the film exchanges its slow burn for a fast, violent pace, it becomes nearly impossible to guess just how So Cold the River is going to play out. This was one that had me guessing up until the final reveal as an assortment of secrets and motives come to light. It’s a solid ending to an enjoyable horror-thriller.” 3.5 out of 5 stars Voices from the Balcony
Release date:
So Cold the River was released theatrically in select cities and On-Demand (VOD) in the USA by Saban Films on March 25th 2022.
Cast and characters:
Bethany Joy Lenz … Erica Shaw
Alysia Reiner … Alyssa Bradford-Cohen
Katie Sarife … Kellyn Cage
Andrew J. West … Josiah Bradford
Deanna Dunagan … Anne McKinney
Kevin Cahoon … Dylan
Aaron Roman Weiner … Rory Granger
Lea Hutton Beasmore … Casino Patron
Kingston Vernes … Lucas Granger
Lucas Bentley … Sheriff
Matthew W. Allen … Party Guest
David Myers Gregory … Mr Bradford
Dakota Phillips … Hotel Employee / Guest
Ruth Kaufman … Grace Harrelson
Rupert Spraul … Lonnie Wilkes
Daniel Burke … Mr Wilkes
Filming locations:
French Lick West Baden Museum, French Lick, Indiana
Orangeville, Indiana
West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs, Indiana
Technical details:
1 hour 35 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.00 : 1
Trailer:
