IN A COLD VEIN (U.S., 2025)
Official synopsis: After escaping a would-be assassination, a professional criminal (Evan Gamble as Dean) will stop at nothing to find who is behind his attempted murder, and to make sure his family is safe.
Writer/director/composer Eric Owen does assured work at the helm of In a Cold Vein, and though the “highly skilled criminal seeking revenge” storyline might not be the most original of plots, Owen, cast (the performances are all solid), and crew serve up enough style and spirited action that the film is well worth a watch. Who is likely responsible for Dean’s plight gets telegraphed rather early on, but the ride — part of the film is a dark take on road trip stories — is an exciting one nevertheless. Although suspenseful throughout, In a Cold Vein does an admirable job of shifting tones, beginning with comic elements involving two assassins (P. Michael Hayes II and Brian Villalobos in amusing performances) before segueing into decidedly darker territory.
BLOCKHEAD (U.K., 2025)
Official synopsis: A failing novelist [Danny Horn as Will Mercer] desperate for inspiration thinks his muse appears to him in the form of a drunk, psychotic decorator [Joe Sims as Mikey]. As his novel takes shape, his life spirals and erupts into a violent chaos, but his next piece could just possibly be genius.
With Blockhead, writer/director Matt Harlock mashes up the writer’s block and “Real person or subconscious?” fear-fare subgenres to solid effect. Mercer is well into his downward spiral when viewers first meet him, and Mikey is an unlikely but rather perfect foil to get him started on the sophomore novel he just can’t seem to create. Harlock puts Mercer through the wringer, and Horn nails the desperation of his character. Sims is a force as Mikey, and the supporting players — including Hussina Raja as Mercer’s girlfriend Daisy and fellow writer Maggie (Michele Moran) — all give fine performances. Blockhead treads in familiar Jekyll and Hyde/descent into madness territory but Harlock delivers a well crafted, often surreal take on matters.
In a Cold Vein and Blockhead screened as part of FrightFest, which ran Thursday August 21–Monday 25 August, 2025 in London, U.K.
