Though it doesn’t happen nearly as often as I’d like, from time to time I happen upon a movie that really surprises me. Such was the case with Frozen (2010), a film I’ve unfortunately spent the last decade avoiding thanks to my former habit of neglecting anything new. To provide a little insight, allow me to tell y’all about my first introduction to this film – I was a teenager working in a video store, and I recall seeing this one afternoon when I was stocking the shelves. At this point in time, I was binging hard solely on horror archives – If it wasn’t a gory deep cut from Peter Jackson, I didn’t fucking want it! I was young, dumb, and unwilling to explore new ground… A habit I’ve since squashed, but still am deeply embarrassed to acknowledge.

Now, an introduction to my current situation that led me into Frozen‘s frigid arms – The forecast for the area I currently reside is in the midst of an extreme cold warning. What this means for all y’all that are fortunate enough to live in fair climates: Wind chill values averaging between -40 to -50 degrees celsius (-40 to -58 degrees Fahrenheit). So, I thought to myself, what would be more fitting than watching a flick called Frozen as I literally freeze my damn ass off?

Aside from my brief glance at the cover ten years ago, I went into this one completely blind of knowledge. Y’all can probably guess the plot as I had, and you wouldn’t be too far off – Thanks to a string of unfortunate circumstances, three college students find themselves trapped on a ski lift in the middle of the night. Y’all have seen this kinda thing played out in the middle of the ocean no doubt, but y’know what is equally as threatening? Cold ass mountains. As a Canadian, this struck a deeper chord in me. I was prepared for my levels of anxiety to skyrocket, and you best believe that they did!

I was really excited about this one. I dig a lot of survival horror; My boyfriend has exposed me to pretty much every worthwhile shark movie in existence, but unlike him I didn’t grow up on the beaches of San Diego so they don’t exactly resonate on a personal level for me like they do for him. As aforementioned, I’m a snow baby so the prospect of being stranded on a blizzarding mountain terrified me. Y’all don’t know how fucked up shit like frost bite really is unless you’ve seen repercussions of it, so having a film that taps into this very niche vein prodded me like no other.

Now, there isn’t much else I can say about the plot – Simple, effective, you know the drill when it comes to these kinda movies. What I can rave about is the absence of CGI. Y’all, we don’t appreciate Adam Green enough… Had I realized the same mind behind the Hatchet series was steering the wheel of this cinematic vehicle as well, I likely would’ve consumed it long ago. Y’all like practical effects? That is all you get here… And oof, I’d be lyin’ if I said I didn’t cringe a couple times. And that is all I ask for! Gross me out! Make me feel like shit! I want that story to devastate me, and those effects turn my stomach! I live for this shit!

Reading up about how they filmed this just added to the experience for me, too. Much like myself, Adam Green is also devastatingly afraid of heights yet he took it upon himself to film certain shots that the camera crew were too nervous about. I commend him for that, ’cause had that been me, the towel would’ve been thrown in immediately. Furthermore, I just dig the authenticity. Filmed on location, with only practical effects, with a cast that are totally close knit in real life… Damn, man. A puzzle perfectly pieced together, if ya ask me!

Apologies for my incessant praise, but I’m really excited about the existence of this little movie. Survival horror is an intimidating beast because the content is very plausible, and I felt it here. It is pathetic, but I’ve legit white-knuckled the safety bar on every lift I’ve ever been on, so this story felt like it was plucked straight outta one of my nightmares. That being said, it is safe to say that I won’t be rushing to take up skiing any time soon… Yeah, no fucking way.