Despite starring Joel Kinnaman, Tom Holland, and Percy Hynes White, Edge of Winter has been subjected to mixed reviews. Some have praised the cast and suspenseful story, while others questioned the writing and found the plot to drag on. Regardless of how it may have left viewers feeling, Edge of Winter is a suspenseful thriller that is certain to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Kinnaman, known for his performance in crime-drama The Killing and his action-packed role in both Suicide Squad movies, leads the suspenseful thriller and does a lot with what he is given. When paired with Holland, who has starred in a number of risky thrillers, and Hynes White (from The Gifted), Edge of Winter has a lot working in its favor.
Edge of Winter follows the male members of the Baker family as they experience one unfortunate event after another. The patriarch, Elliot (Kinnaman), is over the moon to spend time with his sons Bradley (Holland) and Caleb (Hynes White). Elliot, who has recently lost his job after punching his boss, is desperate to come across as the good guy to his kids. After he discovers the boys with his shotgun, Elliot lashes out, but decides he can instead use the moment to teach them about firearm safety. In taking the boys out to practice (and reading some of his teen's text messages), Elliot discovers that Bradley isn't thrilled about spending time with him and chooses to hide his phone. Deciding he'll do whatever it takes to make Bradley ecstatic about their time together, Elliot not only teaches him how to fire the shotgun, but how to drive.
Unfortunately, Bradley and Caleb's brotherly bickering cuts the driving lesson short and results in Bradley crashing the car. The wreck leaves the three stranded, miles away from the main road. While spending the night in the car, Elliot learns that Bradley and Caleb will soon move to London with their mother and step-father. Visibly angry, Elliot vows that his children won't be taken that far away from him. The next morning, the trio experiences a few additional mishaps that lead them to take residence in a nearby cabin, where their lives are forever altered.
Kinnaman is brilliant as the patriarchal figure. He methodically toes the line between a concerned father and the overbearing, unhinged man he becomes. He peels away at Elliot's layers, slowly revealing the damaged man that lies within. With Kinnaman, Holland and Hynes White should be recognized for their chemistry. Holland makes the most of Bradley, applying the teenage broodiness to not only the way Bradley carries himself but to the relationship with his younger brother and father. As a teenager, the constant nagging from his younger brother only adds to his frustration (including the car accident that leaves them stranded). Already harboring resentment for his father, Bradley struggles to fully relinquish his bitterness for the man that he blames for so many of the problems in their lives. The moments that Elliot loses his temper at the drop of a hat certainly don't help to repair his relationship with Bradley or Caleb.
The slow pace of Edge of Winter is not something that many viewers enjoyed. Chalked up to the writing, the plot's progression kept a lot of people from being able to enjoy Edge of Winter. Like any slow-burn film, Edge of Winter has a reason for its pace. The simple explanation is that the slow pace helps build the suspense. From the early moment in Edge of Winter where the boys set off with their father, it's clear that something won't go according to plan. Combined with the subtle hints toward Elliot's hot-headed tendencies, the isolation the three eventually find themselves in, is a recipe for disaster.
Aside from the typical use for a slow-burn story, Edge of Winter's use of the tactic also reflects Bradley and Caleb's understanding of what's happening around them. From Elliot's early suggestions that lead to the boys shooting a shotgun and crashing the car, his desperation to be accepted by them is clear. After Elliot learns of their upcoming move, they begin to see just how dangerous their father can be. The true shift for Bradley and Caleb begins to form once the trio meets Luc and Richard, two hunters who are seeking shelter from the harsh weather. Elliot is quick to distrust them but it can reasonably be excused as Elliot's way of trying to protect his children. This excuse fails to stand to the test, as Bradley and Caleb take kindly to Richard and Luc, while Elliot goes to extreme lengths to guarantee that no one will come to rescue them from the cabin.
The action that many viewers felt should have arrived earlier in the film only begins to happen once the boys understand the danger they're in. The plot's slow progression works with Bradley and Caleb's own suspicions about their father throughout the film. Witnessing Elliot lash out both verbally and physically cues the boys into something not being right. At Kinnaman's intimidating stature, Bradley and Caleb are forced to believe that their father has their best interests at heart and opt to put their trust in him. It's not until they are also trapped by his anger that Bradley and Caleb understand what must be done.
Edge of Winter is far from the perfect film but it's not as horrible as it's often made out to be. The film allows viewers to have an authentic "fly on the wall" experience as they watch the family unravel and spiral into what appears to be a no-win situation. Within the first few scenes, the unfortunate reality of what Edge of Winter will bring sets in, but it's a matter of how catastrophic the ending will be. The suspense within Edge of Winter is beautifully crafted and strikes genuine fear into viewers that makes it hard to look away, no matter how it may leave them feeling.