Cold Blooded (2012) User Reviews

Fun movie but probably only for Zoie Palmer fans

[Nightmarelogic · 6/10 · 18 April 2014]

OK I admit to being a Zoie Palmer fan. She is the only reason I tuned into this movie in the first place. The movie is very low budget and I am not sure it is in a good way. The plot is iffy. However you do get to see Palmer in a police uniform being all bad ass so that is a plus. The movie is rather intense and there are plenty of scenes that are very difficult to watch. Palmer gets bloody in this but ***and this is why I put the spoiler tag on this review***

She does live to see end of the movie which is the major reason I give the movie as high a rating as I do. Honestly this movie is only for Zoie Palmer fans with strong stomachs and those who want to see her be all bad ass others can give it a pass. There is not much to see here.

Overall good crime/drama, but not for the faint hearted

[mtbrenneman · 6/10 · 5 October 2013]

This is a film that deals with a young woman, Frances, who is a rookie cop. Her duty is to guard a prisoner who robbed a jewelry and was knocked unconscious when he was arrested.

Frances is a smart, alert good cop and she is a nice foil to the prisoner called Cordero, who is equally sharp as her, but just on the other side of the law. The verbal parrying and banter between Cordero and Frances at the start of the film is good, and one starts off the film with rather high hopes for Frances.

However things take a turn for the serious when Cordero's crew mates come to pay him a visit. When Cordero is caught, he is with another accomplice who is, for some reason shot dead. Cordero learns that the official version of the events is that Cordero shot his accomplice, which Cordero swears up and down is false. The problem is that the main crew boss coming to get the diamonds from Cordero, is also going to come to kill Cordero b/c he thinks Cordero turned on the accomplice. The crew mates come and the battle between them and Frances ensues which is a very brutal and bloody one. There is an event that happens to Frances relatively early on in the film which was *very* difficult for me to watch even though I usually love gore and blood. Maybe it was the realistic way in which this scene was done, or maybe because Frances is a character you are rooting for, but whatever the case, it was hard to watch.

Having said that, the film carries on at a good level of tension, action, and a satisfying denouement with a cast that was pretty solid. Overall, a good action/crime film, just maybe not for the squeamish or those who cannot suspend disbelief.

Really Plain. Watched the whole thing in 30 minutes

[OmairCh · 2/10 · 25 October 2013]

Don't know about the positive reviews of this movie. Over all a really bad experience. The only person you feel for during the whole movie is Ryan Robbins. The lady cop comes off as a complete moron who cannot think straight or do anything related to using common sense. Long boring corridor scenes with nothing much going on. Seems like they tried to make a classic in closed environment hoping that only acting is gonna pull through but nothing works.

Also the criminals in the movie seem to be so unprepared for anything that one fails to understand what were they thinking or why weren't they caught or killed by the police even before the incidents of this movie. They actually make office colleagues seem more dangerous. There are a lot of better movies worth your time out there. I would watch movie inspired by real events over this and I hate those things. Really suggest you avoid this.

Unpretentious and uncompromising

[Wiedergaenger · 7/10 · 30 September 2013]

"Cold Blooded" is one neat little film -- unpretentious, uncompromising, fast-paced without being hasted. It is low-budget, yet that fact only shows in the efficient use of actors, places and scenes. Speaking of actors: Zoie Palmer (who looks a wee bit like Kira Knightly) and Ryan Robbins give a great performance. Palmer's character Frances is believably determined without drifting into super cop clichés. Plus, most of the film she is seen with weirdly sexy blood splatters across her face (sorry, I can't help it). Robbins is realistic in his role as the not-so-bad guy.

Sure, there are some flaws, even one or two face-palm moments (MILD SPOILER: the officer at the very end, who let a badly injured person that is supposedly under shock wander off on her own END MILD SPOILER), yet the rest of the script is strong enough to make up for those.

Not bad, but hurt by a low budget

[Wizard-8 · 26 August 2017]

It's always nice when the Canadian government takes a break from funding pretentious art house dramas that no one wants to see, and instead funds something more mainstream. "Cold Blooded" is one such example, and it's not that badly done overall. Being a very low budget production, there are inevitably some flaws. It's clear that the filmmakers didn't quite have enough money to do everything they wanted, from some things in the narrative happening offscreen (one character simply disappears without a trace, for example) to some really low production values. Also, there are some visible plot holes in the script, like the fact that it doesn't occur to the protagonists to summon help by simply pulling a fire alarm.

Despite these flaws, the movie is fairly compelling. The movie is never boring (though the first half hour is a tad slow, I admit), managing to generate a reasonable amount of suspense and tension. And there are some violent touches that really pack a considerable punch. If you enjoy independent cinema, and are prepared to get by the low rent feeling of the entire enterprise, you'll probably find this fairly entertaining. Hopefully next time the filmmakers will have more money at their disposal, and can make something even better.

Nothing good. Pass on this one.

[tylerrosin · 1/10 · 17 August 2021]

Very dull and boring movie. Very predictable and underwhelming villain. Little to no action and poor script and plot. Pass on this one.

Whatever your expectations are, they're too low.

[underxposd · 9/10 · 17 August 2012]

When I filed into a tiny cinema (160 odd seats) at Fantasia Fest, I was pretty sure I knew what I was in for. I'd seen the trailer. It was a crime movie; cops and robbers type stuff. I was expecting criminals and violence. While I got both in spades, I also got a whole lot that I wasn't expecting. Zoie Palmer is wonderfully subtle as Frances Jane, a disillusioned cop who's presented with the darkest kind of ethical dilemma. The real brilliance comes in watching her attempt to navigate it with a morally ambiguous thief (her assignment turned uneasy ally) hanging like a millstone around her neck. Ryan Robbins as Cordero is the very definition of a smooth criminal. The set is stark and void of anything remotely comforting. The size of the cinema fed the feeling of trapped desperation. The violence, though harsh and unforgiving, comes off as purposeful rather than gratuitous. The supporting cast all do great work with their roles, and I'm not ashamed to say I was legitimately terrified by William MacDonald's portrayal of the cold and calculating Louis Holland. So yes, it is about crime. It's also about what happens when the rules that govern your personal code of conduct are quite literally cut away. Director Jason Lapeyre treats Zoie Palmer's character to the most costly personal growth workshop I've ever seen. There are scenes that haunt me still, weeks later. Hopefully distribution isn't far off for this gem. If you're lucky enough to catch it at a festival, don't hesitate. It didn't earn an audience award for nothing. Oh, and bring someone with you, because there's nothing comforting about holding your own hand.

A modern day cops and robbers plays out in a deserted hospital ward.

[chefling · 10/10 · 11 August 2012]

I was fortunate enough to have seen this film at #MIFF 2012. I had an idea of what to expect but it blew those ideas out of the water. The cast is top notch. Ryan Robbins was believably amoral, Zoie Palmer's performance was quiet and unassuming nevertheless a strong female role model and William MacDonald was positively terrifying. Billed as a modern day cops and robbers, the plot twists and turns, keeping you guessing. The shocking violence often had the audience gasping and then laughing nervously at the screening I went to. The violence was handled shrewdly and moreover believably. I never once felt the violence was there for strictly shock and awe. It was always part of the story and therefore necessary. That said, Cold Blooded resonated with me so much that I found myself thinking of it days later. Always a sign of a great film.

A Perfect, Gritty, Small Scale Thriller

[seriouscritic-42569 · 9/10 · 15 June 2019]

This is an example of a perfect low budget film. Faced with budget limitations talented filmmakers will find a way to embrace and capitalize on their limited means, either utilize the constraints imposed upon them or to work around them in such a way that they are not glaringly thrust into the limelight. In this way great films can be created regardless of the limitations imposed upon the production. Would it be a better film if more resources were available to the same cast and crew? Of course. But as it stands it's far more than good enough.

This is cleverly written with believable, interesting characters. They might surprise us with their actions, but they never behave in uncharacteristic ways - which is especially rewarding as it's easy to see where many high budget Hollywood films would have betrayed their own characters in the interest of "that's how we always do it", or "it's what the audience expects".

By showing clever restraint the film has minimal but effectively staged (and gruesome) violence, which is perfectly in keeping with this gritty thriller. When I say gritty, this movie is tough! It's not called Cold Blooded for nothing and I don't want to say anything about the shocking moments because I don't want to spoil the punch to the gut they deliver!

Intelligent, suspenseful and full of neat twists that feel real as opposed to "written", the performances are all top notch, the direction tight, I honestly can't find a thing wrong with this for a change, and you don't know how much that pleases me. And, for the record, the only reason I am not scoring it a solid 10 is because I am saving that for films that are not only expertly crafted, but have the additional intention and ability to do more for their audience than merely entertain. This isn't an "important" movie, it just is one helluva good one!

After the last credit faded away, I stood looking at the screen satisfied and incredulous, what a well written crime story! Better than a horror movie!

[alshwenbear1 · 9/10 · 24 September 2013]

I could look for flaws in the script, but why? Why to spoil such a magnificent film? Francis' face (Zoie Palmer) bloody and with empty eyes, without hope, resignation and disbelief, remained for several more minutes in my mind. If I didn't knew better I would have thought that the Coen Brothers had something to do with this movie, but no this is a film written and directed by Jason Lapeyre, I don't have idea who he is, but I am really looking forward for whatever he does next, as a fan of "The Killing" I recognized Ryan Robbins, and I am way more impressed with his acting, very cool way to play the role of "Cordero".About Zoie Palmer, I am not really familiar with her work, but certainly I am going to try to watch other movies of her and see if she is as good as she is as this unfortunate cop. If you haven't figured yet how much did I like "Cold Blooded", is time for you to watch it, better than a horror movie!

Try Hard

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 18 March 2014]

I understand if people are confused and/or disappointed in the fact this movie plays only in one location. But it's better to concentrate on one location than switch around like crazy and get nothing done. This movie is really well made and has characters to root or hate. Maybe not as intense as you'd like and maybe some of them are not as well prepared as they should be. But this isn't the first movie to have criminals who encounter problems due to lack of preparation or intelligence.

The main leading lady is tough as nails and might not be as easily accessible as some might hope for. There's also no love story implemented just to lure an extra audience in. This is a no hostage taking, keeping hostages imprisoned kind of situation. If you don't have an issue with that, you will have a lot of fun with this little clever thriller

Excellent Low-key Police Drama

[onlythusfar · 8/10 · 14 April 2015]

5.5 ? Really ? When all that Hollywood crap is getting 7's and 8's ? Very sad indeed. I however never base my viewing on these skewed ratings. I always examine the reviews and try to pick out those, who seem to give intelligent reviews, before watching a film. This piece of cinema was wonderful. An intimate drama with realistic characters and a true female hero, as opposed to the Hollywood glamour model FBI agents. This film has great tension and suspense; one of the best police dramas, which I've seen in quite some time. The plot and setting are minimal, but the characters are great, as is the acting. Wow! I have to write another line, although, I'm sure, that I've seen shorter reviews on here. What gives?

Amazing ...

[smellycat1304 · 9/10 · 21 May 2013]

If I had to use one word to describe this movie, it would be : HALETANT. Didn't find the perfect translation for this, but maybe the closer would be gasping, panting ? You know, this thing with your respiration, which keep your breath in suspense and give the impress to your heart that it made a marathon and it can rest for the moment cause it's not finished ..

Well, this ..

When I returned at the hostel after that (and didn't returned right after cause spent some time outside before), my heart was still beating like this, still under the emotions that this movie gave me !! It was incredible.

From the moment Frances (played by Zoie Palmer) crosses the Security guard (played by Samantha Kaine) door, you just have the impress that it's an other world behind, which is presented to her. And this feeling is accentuated with the contraste of the music : when Frances appears back, the music is pretty cool, like if the character was confident ; And after this door, little by little, the ton changes, the music too. But also the light, the atmosphere darkens. Even the character face is changing..

And I'm not going to tell you the movie to keep you the surprise and make you discover it by yourself for sure, so will going to talk now only about it in a general way.

In a general way, Jason plays a lot with this heavy atmosphere, the lights, the sound, the noises. With sometimes, accentuating it with sometime, you know these noises we only hear when there is silence in the room, during night for example, and you just focus on this little noise you never realized about it before. At home it could be the fridge noise, or the "bzzz" of the light .. Yes, this "bzzz" ... that you can hear in this movie, which keep your heart in suspense, ready to bound in the next minute. And all of these, strengthen this feeling of "Seuls au monde", (characters) cut with the rest of the world and stuck there. All together.

Cold Blooded is one of these amazing thrillers which make you want to know what will happen in the next minute, how, and take some characters by affection, and hate some others. If there are some great actions, violence, sometimes gore things, it's also well combined with some parts very well done where this silence and atmosphere could say more that words. And talking about words, my poor English made me miss some words or expressions, but it didn't impede me to understand the most of the interesting dialogues and enjoy the movie.

About the characters, I would say that EACH, offer to us here an admirable performance !

Ryan Robbins is really amazing as Cordero, he makes us smile and laugh sometimes in this heavy situation, but also he make us have some good affection to him, it's a character which we attach easily to him and I really loved his exchanges with Frances.

William MacDonald, who plays L.Holland is very remarkable in this role ! The big bad guy who is ready to everything (yes EVERYTHING !) to hit his goal .. He gave me chills, and continued to amazed me more and more along the movie, saying myself "This guy is crazy and dangerous ! better no play with him.." - Indeed, when Holland wants something, he's not going to think what is the best decision etc .. no, he plunge in the thing without think and without pity, without any feelings too. Yes, this face which let transpire nothing, no emotion .. just wow. Well done Mister.

As for Huse Madhavji and Sergio Di Zio, a big applause to these two also for their performances. I discovered Huse in "Saving Hope" and Sergio in "Flashpoint" and was really glad to see them in an other stuff ! Sergio, you just gave me more stress with your character in Cold Blooded lol, really well done.

And ... Zoie. I saw all she made as TV, show, movie, in different roles .. and she still has success to amaze me.. She offers us a Frances, very touching and very strong in same time. Sometimes shaking in front of the enemy, hesitating, but so brave that it will not make her be afraid and stop ! For me Frances is a Warrior with a big W ! She's just incredible, a character also very loyal with her job to the bitter end, and who never give up despite all she takes. The only woman, all alone in the middle of this men "sh.t". Seriously, big big big Bravo for your incredible performance Zoie ! Very impressive wow ..

So, to finish, this movie is for me a real success and a great one that I really recommend to see, and will keep you along ... "Haletant".

Bloody Brilliant

[skyfyreit · 10/10 · 24 September 2013]

Diamonds. Minimalistic film making that pushes fear through stratified narrative. The stage is set in 15min and the rest is the real time chase. One hour. The acts of brutality are made vivid by the lack of sound effects. You have the expectation and all you are left with is the visual or the threat of it in voice and a cut off shot. Extremely effective. Low light and unbalanced composition with the stark contrast of the world outside the bottle, nail film noir at its core.

The cast on this did a phenomenal job-- MacDonald was menacing as the savage veneered in civility and intellect. Robbins plays a likable con seemingly trapped by his own circumstance where ethics are as mutable as survival. Palmer was the glue that held the entire thing together. What I really enjoyed was her ability to demonstrate the panic of unanticipated stakes and shoulder the character through till she meets herself in the mirror again. The entire thing makes you want to watch it one more time for the detail you missed. Great, great job.

90 Min's well spent

[sara73 · 9/10 · 2 May 2014]

I will be the first to admit that I watched this for Zoie Palmer or at a simpler level Zoie Palmer in a uniform.

That aside I was pleasantly surprised as the film was good. Simple as that.

Bias aside Zoie Palmer was mesmerising. Subtle and understated where it would have been all to easy to be over the top and I applaud her for that.

The other actors turned in solid performances too (yes I was paying attention to them too) .

My attention never wandered as so often happens if there's an ipad or some such device within arms reach.

Considering this was a low budget affair it stands up well and I hope it gets more attention as it is deserved. Its a cheeky treat of a film and 90 Min's well spent (dont you hate that feeling when you think you wont get that time back again)and I'm pretty sure it wont be the last time I trade in 90 Min's of my life to watch this one.

Thumbs up if you have one!

What a great little film

[pm-griffiths-956-445192 · 8/10 · 1 March 2021]

Wow, the title is quite appropriate. What a great little one-set flic! Some narly characters doing a surface examination of human nature, good vs bad. Got some nice twists and a good ending (ie. not everyone makes it in one piece).