Thrillers, a genre that straddles the line between action and horror, defy easy categorization. Yet, what sets them apart is their ability to keep us on the edge of our seats. How do they achieve this? Well, it could be through a tantalizing enigma or an underlying sense of urgency.
The backdrop against which a thriller unfolds plays a crucial role in building tension. Picture a deserted island, far away from civilization – the isolation intensifies the gravity of the situation. Or imagine the vastness of outer space, with its unique challenges that our characters must conquer.
But there’s one setting that has consistently captivated audiences in thrillers: the bitter cold of a snowy landscape. The bone-chilling cold can be just as menacing as any villain, especially when paired with a raging blizzard that traps our heroes in a specific place. Sometimes, they must brave the elements to find their way home or be rescued. These exhilarating movies set in snowy landscapes deserve more recognition, alongside classics like The Thing, for their spine-tingling atmosphere.
1. Runaway Train
Runaway Train is exactly what you’d expect from the title: a thrilling tale of a runaway train. The story revolves around two escaped convicts and an unfortunate railway employee who find themselves on a train where the driver tragically passes away and the brakes give out.
This exciting film is actually based on a story by the renowned Akira Kurosawa. Interestingly, Kurosawa initially intended to direct the movie himself, but due to financial constraints, he was unable to do so. However, this movie does mark the debut of the now-famous Danny Trejo, which adds to its appeal.
What makes Runaway Train so captivating is the constant sense of danger that looms throughout. The unstoppable train hurtles through Alaska’s treacherous landscape at astonishing speeds, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. It’s a thrilling and enjoyable ride from start to finish.
2. Insomnia
Insomnia” is a gripping film that revolves around Will Dormer, a police detective who may not always play by the book. Al Pacino portrays Dormer, who becomes determined to track down the killer of a young girl. However, things take a complicated turn when the killer, Walter Finch, played by Robin Williams, witnesses Dormer accidentally shooting and fatally injuring his own partner. This partner was planning to testify against Dormer for planting evidence. Now, Dormer finds himself forming an uneasy alliance with Finch as they both try to conceal their own misdeeds.
Set in a small Alaskan town, the movie offers stunning scenic views during the daytime. However, when night falls, an overwhelming brightness engulfs the town due to its unique location in the far north. This distinctive setting presents an additional challenge for Dormer, who already struggles with guilt and insomnia. The perpetual daylight only exacerbates his inability to find rest
3. The Hateful Eight
It’s tough to argue that any Quentin Tarantino film is truly underrated, but there are a few like The Hateful Eight that tend to get overshadowed by his more popular films such as Pulp Fiction or Django Unchained. Nevertheless, The Hateful Eight is a true masterclass in building tension, and it somehow manages to be more captivating with just a single tiny cabin as its setting than many films can achieve with massive set pieces.
Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, this western flick revolves around eight strangers who find themselves seeking refuge together in the small cabin to escape a blizzard. The brutal weather serves as a constant reminder that these characters have no other choice but to stick together, even when things take a violent turn.
4. 30 Days of Night (2007)
30 Days of Night takes inspiration from the polar winter experienced by countries in the far north and south of the globe. Set in an Alaskan town during the polar winter, the film portrays the town’s preparation for the long night. However, things take a turn for the worse as the town is unexpectedly attacked by vampires, leaving them without any hope of sunlight to save them.
Despite some critics having reservations about the film’s execution, it’s hard to deny the sheer enjoyment that the movie’s premise offers. The film effectively utilizes its unique setting, creating a chilling and nightmarish atmosphere that has garnered a devoted following since its release, both for the movie and the comic it is based on.
5. A Simple Plan
Before he became the fearsome hitman Lorne Malvo in Fargo, Billy Bob Thornton took on another thrilling role in Sam Raimi’s A Simple Plan. Joined by Bill Paxton and Brent Briscoe, they portray a group of everyday working men who stumble upon a crashed plane filled with millions of dollars…and make the fateful decision to keep it. Adding to the mix, Bridget Fonda stars as Paxton’s pregnant wife, who surprisingly embraces the enticing situation.
As greed and personal mistrust start to consume them, tensions soar to new heights. And when someone comes looking for the missing money, things escalate even further. The main characters resort to extreme, paranoid, and often violent measures to protect their secret. Eventually, they even turn against one another. The movie’s remote setting and sweeping shots of snowy, desolate landscapes intensify the audience’s sense of isolation, mirroring the paranoia and brutality of the characters.
6. The Edge
The Alaskan wilderness is the perfect backdrop for a thrilling survival film set in the snow, such as The Edge. This movie features Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, and Harold Perrineau as three men who find themselves battling the harsh elements of the far north, all while trying to outsmart a formidable Kodiak bear that is relentlessly tracking them down.
Although the storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the film showcases stunning natural landscapes, what truly stands out is one of the standout performances. In an era when CGI technology was not as advanced as it is today, the hungry Kodiak bear featured in the movie is actually a real trained bear named Bart. Bart was a highly experienced bear actor, having appeared in multiple films throughout his career. Watch The Edge if only for the incredible spectacle of these men facing off against a genuine bear.
7. The Grey
Fans of Liam Neeson are accustomed to seeing him take down criminals who have harmed or threatened his family. However, in Joe Carnahan’s The Grey, Neeson proves his ability to conquer a different kind of enemy. The story revolves around Neeson’s character, John Ottway, who is assigned to protect oil drillers from relentless grey wolf attacks.
The film delves into the intense battle between man and nature, highlighting the significance of choosing oil workers as the main characters. Some critics, who were primarily interested in watching Neeson fight wolves, were disappointed by the abrupt ending of the film. This led to negative word of mouth about the movie. However, reducing the film to a single scene overlooks its intended message and fails to acknowledge its overall brilliance.
8. Cold Pursuit
Cold Pursuit” is actually a remake of the Norwegian thriller, “In Order of Disappearance”, with Liam Neeson taking the lead as Nels Coxman, a snow plow driver who embarks on a quest for vengeance against a drug cartel responsible for his son’s death. What makes this film intriguing is how Nels’s ruthless killings are mirrored by the chilly and unforgiving weather throughout.
Neeson’s involvement in “Cold Pursuit” fits in seamlessly with his recent filmography, which has been largely dominated by these action-packed thrillers ever since the massive success of “Taken”. The movie itself boasts an array of captivating action sequences and a dark sense of humor that prevents it from becoming monotonous
9. Hold the Dark
The Netflix original Hold the Dark is a gripping thriller based on William Giraldi’s novel of the same name. Starring Jeffrey Wright as Russell Core, an inquisitive writer and researcher, the story revolves around his mission to track down a pack of wolves that allegedly abducted children in a small Alaskan town. However, Core begins to question whether the wolves are truly responsible, and soon discovers that there is something far more peculiar and unsettling lurking beneath the surface.
One of the standout aspects of the film is its eerie and chilling visuals, which effectively contribute to the overall sense of unease. The cold and isolated setting further adds to the characters’ inability to easily escape the impending dangers. While the plot may become tangled at times, the atmospheric quality of Hold the Dark compensates for any occasional peculiar choices made along the way.
10. The Great Silence
The Great Silence tells the gripping story of a gunslinger known as Silence, who finds himself in the midst of a relentless battle against bounty hunters and a corrupt judge of peace. This judge, Henry Pollicut, is not only a banker but also the very person responsible for the tragic loss of Silence’s family. As a child, Silence’s throat was mercilessly cut by Pollicut.
This Spaghetti Western, like many others, delves into an intricate web of morality, far beyond the simplistic notions of good guys versus bad guys that characterized classic Westerns. However, what sets it apart from its contemporaries is the unconventional choice of filming location. Instead of opting for the typical warm climate of Spain’s southern regions, the movie was shot near the Italian Dolomites, skillfully replicating the rugged landscapes of Utah. By setting the film in a cold environment, the filmmakers effectively convey the desperate circumstances faced by the outlaws, driven to a life of crime in order to meet their most basic needs.
