Being Film #12 for Hooptober 2025
It’s getting harder and harder to reinvigorate the trope of “bunch of young adults headed to a remote cabin where horror ensues”. You could even argue the attempts to subvert the trope is itself a trope. And yet, even though I don’t really love Dead Snow, writer/director Tommy Wirkola’s attempt to play in the sandbox, there’s just enough schlock and weird moments that make the film fun. Tired, but fun. Also I could have sworn I’d seen this movie before, but I think the trailer was so popular at the time it left an impression. Now that’s a trope we need to re-invigorate: when the trailer/concept is better than the actual execution.
THE QUICK SUMMARY: Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a bunch of horny young adults make their up to a remote cabin for drinks and debauchery. Once they arrive, some old guy shows up to warn them of the ancient legend surrounding the area. Yeah yeah yeah…I know – I’ve just explained the setup for 1,001 horror movies. But here’s where this one’s different: IT’S NAZI ZOMBIES! Except…I guess they prefer to just punch you? And just lie buried under the snow simply waiting to rise up? And I guess they’re driven by some small box of treasure hidden in the cabin…except then how do you explain them chasing the girl in the beginning? And all the guys were ex-military? And one hates blood but gets over it pretty quick once he’s covered in the viscera of the undead? I dunno…I guess the whole “nazi zombie” concept was enough to push this one along…
Anyway I’m being a little harsh in the description. The reality is that nonsensical plot aside, Dead Snow winds up being pretty fun. Wirkola is able to make the most out a very limited budget, and while this isn’t the greatest looking film in the world, I can’t help but be impressed with the effects, especially the zombie makeup.
The acting, on the other hand…I wish people would stop with the stock “movie nerd” character. Has any real movie nerd watched a character like Erlend? Wow…references to Evil Dead and Friday the 13th…this guy really IS a movie nerd! The two things I will give Dead Snow regarding abusing this cliche is that 1) for once the movie nerd is the one who scores the hot girl, although the decision for Chris to have sex with Erlend in the bathroom – just after he takes a dump – by stranding him on the toilet – is a questionable move at best, and 2) speaking of Chris, she actually comes off as a better movie nerd dropping a reference like April Fool’s Day to the impressed Erlend.
Where Dead Snow really begins to shine is during its final half hour as the gang splits up and has to deal with dozens of nazi zombies running around, jumping out of the snow, falling off cliffs or suddenly sprinting up to them with a hammer. As each ridiculous moment piled one on top of the other, I found myself falling more into its brand of humor and even laughed at the final shot though I could see it coming from a mile away.
Do I have any desire now to catch up with the sequel? Eh, we’ll see.
Cinema Dual 
Leave a comment