The Wasteland Reviewer

Cold Storage (2026) Written Review

How dangerous can a bit of fungus truly be? Well…apparently apocalypse if you look at the media today! The Last of Us certainly put a spotlight on the destruction power of fungus but there are plenty more films and series where that came from. Based on his own novel, acclaimed writer David Koepp (the writer behind Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible) brings the tale of Cold Storage to life. A bioterrorism agent of the military had a horrific encounter with a dangerous fungus but years later he is pulled back into action and must get help from a pair of young self-storage employees who discover the fungus has escaped its containment. 

How does British television director Jonny Campbell bring this twisted tale to life? There are certainly moments of strong personality that shine through. There is a fun flashback to the source of the containment breach that combines special effects, unexpected shots, and a killer needle drop to inject plenty of personality into the film. The soundtrack has a few more needle drops along with the score from Mathieu Lamboley to give the film some flair for sure. The film is shot perfectly find with a few moments of editing and framing that stand out. With those few elevated moments, you might wish that the film felt more consistent that way. The pacing of the film is quite fine with plenty of zip and energy coming from Campbell’s direction. The tone of the film is consistently fun with plenty of fun humor. One of the most glaring aspects of the film is the special effects. The actual design of the disgusting fungus effects is quite effective, but few shots feel organic or real when CGI is utilized. 

Does Koepp’s screenplay deliver a strong and engaging experience? The overall story of the film is quite interesting as it combines terror and humor. There are also some relatable elements with employees struggling through their dead-end jobs while getting caught up in something so much bigger. The narrative is a ticking clock structure with Liam Neeson’s Robert Quinn attempting to get to the former military installation before the fungus breaks containment. Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell’s Travis and Naomi attempt to make sense of the strange occurrences along the way. Quinn is certainly the most interesting of the characters and has the sharpest dialogue in the film. Travis is a bit…much. Honestly, he can be a bit too abrasive and annoying. Naomi is book smart and gets to be the “smartest one in the room” (honestly in a similar way to Quinn). The banter between Travis and Naomi is quite fun. The film starts with a thrilling and shocking cold open that does some wonders to hook the audience. The film does feel too stretched out and overstuffed. There are a bunch of characters introduced along the way that feel more cannon fodder than necessary to the plot of the film.

How does the cast of the film elevate the experience? Neeson is the real standout as no actor is better at talking on a phone in a movie than him. He is fun with his sharp wit and sells his character’s ailing back problems with plenty of vulnerability. Keery is admittedly a mix bag. His charisma shines through his horrible accent and strange linguistics. Campbell is quite a charmer with her engaging facial acting and palpable charisma. There are a few other standouts including Lesley Manville who makes an impact with her limited role as Quinn’s chain-smoking partner in crime. Sosie Bacon appears only briefly in the cold open of the film, but she does leave an impact. 

Is Cold Storage a worthwhile genre flick at the theater? You can tell there are limitations based on the budget (most notably on the effects in the film). Despite that, the body horror is quite grotesque and shocking. The overstuffed script makes this much leaner story feel unnecessarily stretched out. But this is still a film with plenty of fun to enjoy. Pulpy and campy, Cold Storage is a fun time at the movies.