Wind Chill (2007)

“Wind Chill” stars Ashton Holmes (who you might also recognize from “Peaceful Warrior”), Emily Blunt, Martin Donovan and is directed by Gregory Jacobs. It’s produced by the one and only George Clooney along with Steven Soderbergh and Ben Cosgrove. Runtime is 1 hour 31 minutes and is rated R for some violence and disturbing images. It’s classified as being a suspense, horror, thriller, but this viewer wasn’t too shaken by the short snippets of horror thrown in here and there.

The appeal of this movie was the two main actors and how extremely well they portrayed their characters (even though you never found out their names), making them so believable, layered and memorable. The two are a mismatch in many ways, but he seems to know more about her than he should.

The story begins in a north Eastern college during the start of Christmas break. The young man, having a crush on the young lady, figures out a way to drive her to her home in Delaware for the holidays. He has motives and hopes the long drive will surely give him the time needed to woo her. Certain events occur along the way that bring them to a place where they meet up with a variety of ghosts…one being very dangerous, during a winter blizzard.

This movie may have been a very low budget flick, with only the two main characters (the boy and girl), and just a handful of supporting cast to add to the ambiance and plot, but it’s definitely directed very well. You instantly become involved with the story line and grow an attachment to the young man and the young lady. The movie is slow at times, but secrets unfold and suspense builds.

“Wind Chill” has a very surprise ending, one you wouldn’t expect in a “horror” flick, but certainly leaves you thinking about the movie and characters, in an endearing way, long after the closing credits. I give this movie 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.