The Last Winter review

A little Eco-Horror always has the potential to be a chilling form of timely entertainment. And Larry (WENDIGO, HABIT) Fessenden’s THE LAST WINTER is certainly that! Ye be warned though, as this is certainly not for everyone: neither straightforward horror, nor B movie grotesque fun. But, if one is looking for a bizarre, forlorn, macabre think-piece, look no further!

Somewhere in Northern Alaska, a few stationed crew members of North company simply want to facilitate the logistics of a new oil pipeline that will provide millions of people with energy. Ed Pollack (Ron Perlman) is there to ensure this gets done no matter what. James Hoffman (James LeGros) is there to ensure mother nature is respected enough to satisfy the environmental accords North company has to respect. Both men will clash. But this will all be a moot point as something sinister and deadly is looming out in the cold vast land. This is the last part of the earth unchanged by humans. And is nature out to destroy North company or is it preparing to turn the tables on humanity for good?

THE LAST WINTER is drenched in ambiguity (as such this tale of truth should be), which will be a deal-breaker for many. To make matters worst, director Fassenden also lets things unravel at a very slow pace. It may not be edge-of-your-seat thrilling but the film stays with you a long time after watching it. Everything is perfectly crafted and calculated, from the offbeat camera work/framing to the subdued, naturalistic acting performances to the unobtrusive music to the intriguing, matter-of-fact dialogue. Furthermore, a few set pieces left my breathless. Horror doesn’t strike often in this film, but when it does hit, it scars. As an added bonus, watching character-acting kings Perlman and LeGros face off (oh so subtly) was an immense joy!

All in all, if you’re environmentally-inclined and a horror fan, THE LAST WINTER is definitely for you. I must be green enough because a recent drastic change in temperature where I live was enough to give me the creeps and make me look over my shoulder… at nothing… Or was it?

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