Movie review
January 22, 2026 · 99 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Not currently streaming in United States
Review
Cold Storage is a horror comedy movie about a dangerous alien fungus. Two night-shift workers at a storage facility must team up with a retired specialist to stop the outbreak. The story uses rising global temperatures as the plot reason for the ice melting and letting the fungus escape. The main female lead is shown as a competent veterinary student who uses her skills to help fight the monsters.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Cold Storage.
Woke representation / casting
The movie has a diverse co-lead in Naomi. She is a veterinary student working a night shift. Her medical knowledge makes sense for her character. Her partner Travis is also very helpful and brave. The casting feels normal for a modern setting. It does not feel like forced representation.
Woke political dialogue
The script uses rising global temperatures as the reason the frozen base thaws out. This thaws the fungus and starts the outbreak. However, this is just a quick setup for the plot. The movie does not have any woke political dialogue or speeches about the environment. The characters spend their time trying to survive.
Identity-driven story themes
The story is a simple monster movie about surviving a dangerous fungus. There are no identity-driven themes about race, gender struggles, or sexuality. The main characters have a normal, friendly relationship. They work together as equals.
Western institutional / cultural critique
The plot involves a government cover-up from the past. A secret base was later sold to a private storage company. This is a classic science fiction idea about government neglect. The film does not use this as a Western institutional / cultural critique to attack businesses or society.
Production
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
There are no anti-woke backlash and complaints or online debates about this film. Audiences and critics have looked at the movie as a standard horror comedy.
Creator track record context
Director Jonny Campbell has a moderate score of 35 for making some social-interest dramas. Screenwriter David Koepp has a low score of 11. Other producers have low to moderate scores. The creative team has a very mild track record with little activist focus.
