Cold Storage Film: Mixed Reviews for Horror-Comedy Released February 2026

The new horror-comedy 'Cold Storage' has received mixed reviews, with some calling it a 'rip-roaring thrill ride' and others finding it 'boring for long stretches'.
By Newsroom | Film Reviews, Horror |

The film "Cold Storage," a horror-comedy featuring killer fungi, has garnered a range of reviews, with critics noting its blend of humor and gore but often questioning its depth and execution. The movie's premise, involving a dangerous fungal outbreak and bioterror operatives, appears to be a core element, yet its success in delivering a consistently engaging experience is a subject of division among reviewers.

The narrative of "Cold Storage" centers on a virulent fungus that escapes containment. Early in the film, bioterror operatives, including characters portrayed by Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville, neutralize the threat. However, a sample is stored at a Kansas facility that is later decommissioned and converted into storage lockers. The film reportedly shifts its focus to characters like Travis (played by Joe Keery) and Naomi (played by Georgina Campbell), who work at a self-storage warehouse and encounter the fungus eighteen years after the initial incident. Reviews suggest the film attempts a "zomcom" style and draws comparisons to 1980s and 90s sci-fi horror comedies, as well as films like "Tremors."

Read More: Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! Movie Stuns With DOUBLE CLIMAX: Genius or Gimmick?

Cold Storage review – mutant-mildew plague horror comedy stuffs fun into the fungi - 1

Evidence of Fungal Outbreak and Operational Response

The initial containment of the fungus is described as a violent event.

  • One report mentions the fungus turning an operative into a "human smoothie" during the initial encounter.

  • Another account details a disturbing opening scene where townsfolk are depicted as "erupted like human pork crackling," highlighting the parasitic horror.

  • Liam Neeson is noted as playing a "grizzled US military specialist" brought back into service for this crisis, with Lesley Manville appearing as his partner, Trini.

Temporal Displacement and Evolving Threats

The film appears to span two distinct periods, with a significant time jump.

Cold Storage review – mutant-mildew plague horror comedy stuffs fun into the fungi - 2

  • The primary narrative appears to occur 18 years after an initial incident, when the fungus re-emerges at a self-storage facility.

  • Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell portray employees at this facility who become entangled with the revived threat.

Genre Ambiguity and Tone

"Cold Storage" is consistently described as a horror-comedy, but its success in balancing these elements varies.

  • Some reviews label it a "mutant-mildew plague horror comedy," emphasizing the blend of gruesome subject matter with humor.

  • The film is also characterized as a "fun body horror comedy" that might "grow on you."

  • Others describe it as a "lighthearted infection horror comedy that never quite heats up."

Critical Perspectives on Execution

Reviewers have offered mixed assessments of the film's overall quality and effectiveness.

Cold Storage review – mutant-mildew plague horror comedy stuffs fun into the fungi - 3

  • The Guardian suggests the film "finally serves up sloppy zomcom; just about enough for a Friday night but not much else." They note the "cranial explosion count" but find few truly disturbing moments of parasitic horror.

  • Mashable states that the film "isn't that deep" but is a "fun body horror comedy that grows on you." They emphasize its "deeply unserious" and abrasively edited opening.

  • Dread Central found it to be "lighthearted" and noted that it "never quite heats up or succeeds on the gross-out factor," wishing for a character's presence for the entire film.

  • IGN observes that the film "loses some momentum after its great opening, feeling more hit and miss comedically."

  • Themovieblog calls it a "frustrating experience," where performances are committed but the film is "boring for long stretches, never fully embracing its own absurdity or horror."

  • MovieWeb suggests the film "sat on the shelf… for about two years, and the final product confirms why," describing its start as "sluggish" and the overall feel as that of a "diverting, if disposable, streaming release."

  • The Austin Chronicle finds that the film "moves Too Quick to Get Moldy," and while it has entertaining moments, it's a "mixed bag than black bag, missing beats and opportunities."

  • Conversely, TomsGuide offers a more positive outlook, calling it "A rip-roaring thrill ride that proves a good time is all you need" and "The most fun I’ve had with a movie in ages."

Character Performances and Dialogue

The acting has received some commendation, though the dialogue is a point of contention.

  • Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell are frequently mentioned for their "committed, engaging performances" that "almost carry the film on their own."

  • However, their characters are "saddled with stretches of prolix wisecrackery that… rarely zings."

Visuals and Gore

The film's depiction of gore and its visual effects have drawn varied reactions.

Cold Storage review – mutant-mildew plague horror comedy stuffs fun into the fungi - 4

  • The opening scene described by The Guardian highlights a significant moment of visual horror.

  • TimeOut mentions a desire to "watch people spewing green slime before their heads explode," indicating the film delivers on some level of graphic content.

  • However, Dread Central felt the film did not commit to the "gross-out factor."

Expert Analysis

The film's directorial and scriptwriting choices are subjects of critical discussion.

Read More: New Scary Movie 'Bare Skin' About Group Therapy

"Cold Storage finds Koepp operating outside his usual style with something much more heightened and winky." - IGN

"Veteran scriptwriter Koepp has been on a resurgence recently… but Cold Storage is more mixed bag than black bag, missing beats and opportunities in the same fashion as his workmanlike script for Jurassic World Rebirth." - The Austin Chronicle

"Somewhere in the multiverse, there is a version of Cold Storage with a punchier script and a more distinctive director who would really bring Koepp's promising story to life." - MovieWeb

Conclusion

"Cold Storage" appears to be a film that endeavors to combine horror, comedy, and sci-fi elements, inspired by earlier genre works. While it features notable actors and a premise with potential for visceral thrills and dark humor, critical consensus suggests a disparity between its ambition and its realization. The film's strengths are often attributed to the performances of its lead actors, Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell, and moments of graphic horror. However, a recurring theme in reviews is the film's perceived failure to fully commit to its premise, leading to uneven pacing, inconsistent comedic timing, and a lack of consistent depth or impact. Some critics view it as a disposable, albeit occasionally entertaining, genre piece, while others find it frustratingly flawed despite its promising components. The film's release was handled by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Studio Canal in the US and UK.

Read More: "Vadh 2" Explodes: Is This Dark Thriller A Masterpiece Or Just A Loud Echo?

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the movie 'Cold Storage' about?
The movie 'Cold Storage' is a horror-comedy about a dangerous fungus that escapes and is later found 18 years later at a self-storage facility. It stars Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell as workers who find the fungus.
Q: When was the movie 'Cold Storage' released?
The movie 'Cold Storage' had reviews published in February 2026, with some sources indicating a release around that time.
Q: What did critics think of the 'Cold Storage' film?
Critics had mixed reviews. Some enjoyed it as a fun horror-comedy with good acting, while others found it boring, uneven, or not scary enough.
Q: Who stars in the movie 'Cold Storage'?
The movie 'Cold Storage' stars Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell as the main characters. Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville are also noted for appearing in the film's opening.
Q: Is the 'Cold Storage' film scary or funny?
The film is described as a horror-comedy, meaning it tries to be both scary and funny. Reviews suggest it has moments of gore and humor, but some critics felt it didn't fully succeed in being consistently scary or funny.