User reviews

Centring around fast paced action, but leaving ample room for genuine character development that adds weight to the inevitable violence. Violetta Schurawlow's heroin is a dead pan badass who's easy to root for whether she's navigating personal drama or a vicious psychopath. The film commits to a cool, noir style through it's dreary score and dark but stylish visuals that nod to vintage giallo.

You better damn well tip this Taxi Driver.

I love kick-ass women who can surely kick any ass, but this one...such depth, so much history and so little words, she is the ultimate antihero hero. I loved her.

Get your blenders on, this movie is all parts: Death Wish, The Transporter, I Spit on Your Grave, The Bourne Identity, Rear Window, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Taxi Driver, just to name a few. But, don't worry; the film just borrows from them. The real story is: the Fantastic Not-Angelina Jolie.

There is a central plot thread, but it's almost overshadowed by the lives and drama of Not-Angelina Jolie. The basic story: troubled loner (with very good reasons) witnesses a brutal murder from her bathroom window. That would be bad enough, but the killer surely sees her see him and the threat is on. Almost comically - but really, sadly, she spends a good chunk of the film trying to crash at someone else's place over and over only to remember why she didn't involve herself with these people since they previously wronged her.

With no one to help her and the killer stalking her, she's pretty much on her own. I wouldn't worry too much, though. Not-Angelina Jolie can seriously mess you up.

She's not Supergirl. She's absolutely human even though she's got a pretty good shield: drive. What she's been through in her life - and you'll learn pretty much all of it from extremely clever writing and the show/don't tell acting and scenes - nine out of ten people couldn't handle. This makes her thoroughly interesting and captivating.

Now, it does help that through a lot of the drama here, there's some awesome action scenes and an incredibly satisfying final act. Contrary, some of the slower and definitely predictable scenes do muddy the waters. Mercifully, they don't linger on too long and we get back to the character worth watching the whole movie for: Not-Angelina Jolie, of course.

***

Final thoughts: I love extremely strong characters in cinema, namely smart female leads with the odds stacked against them and their fists/wits prevail. So much so, I constantly give passes to other flaws, plot-holes or clichés in the films they're in. So, know this: Cold Hell isn't perfect. It does have one unintentionally hilarious "Oh, that's where he is!" revelation that I wouldn't knocked down the movie more so, but damn, they did correct themselves almost instantly and all is forgiven.

And I mean that in the nicest sense possible. Really I do! Of course if you feel that is an insult, you probably don't like movies like that. Sleazy thrillers, made a couple of decades ago. They were very successful and had charm to them. Very comparable to this one, which has flaws in many departments and you could argue that the characters are not all around likable (especially the police man who gets drawn into the center of it all).

Still this is very empowering to women, even when it doesn't look like it at the beginning. There's still nudity and action and gore and all that. But there's also a lot of humor in it. Of course not everyone will find the same things funny, but the movie does not take prisoners and goes some extra miles ... even when introducing characters and giving us a "father-figure" who almost feels out of place in this. So again, it is messy and it is far from perfect ... but that is what makes it so enticing.

After witnessing a brutal murder, a woman finds herself targeted by a misogynistic serial killer who uses his religion as an excuse to butcher women. 'Cold Hell (2017)' is a gritty neo-noir thriller clearly inspired by works such as 'Taxi Driver (1976)', especially in its bluesy score. It's downbeat and gritty, though it does have moments of levity sprinkled throughout, and it deals with some tough subject matter in a compelling way. The lead character is especially stoic but you're always on her side, even when she makes some questionable decisions, and her dark past is revealed to us slowly but surely over the course of the narrative. Her typically unspoken backstory gives good reason for her to be as guarded as she is, adding a layer of subtext to the closed-off performance by a consistently good, if not flashy, Violetta Schurawlow. There are several well-choreographed fights and chases that have an appropriate amount of weight to them, with the violence typically being brutal and crunchy. It gets you on the edge of your seat on more than one occasion. Often, you can't help but get a little giddy, I suppose, when the protagonist is bashing a bad guy's head in; it's not fun violence, don't get me wrong, but it's good to see the often battered lead finally get her own back. One thing that is good about the piece is the fact that the hero knows how to handle herself right from the off, yet is still fallible to the same mistakes anyone would make if being hunted by a monstrous killer. Just because she knows how to fight doesn't mean she isn't scared of the concept of someone trying to end her life. It's a fine-tuned dynamic that undeniably adds believability to the plot. The picture, of course, isn't perfect. It is rather slow and, even, somewhat repetitive in its mid-section, almost becoming a different type of film to what you'd expect. This isn't too detrimental, since the thing is always entertaining and engaging, but it does lose a little bit of steam before it picks up the pace again for its final act. Still, the flick is effective overall. It's a solid thriller that easily keeps you watching from beginning to end. 7/10.

Euro trash I think you're confusing this movie with Hollywood trash good movie suspenseful action good acting directing foreign films I'll take them over Hollywood any day

Positive:

• thrilling and entertaining
• acting performance (roles well selected and played)

Negative:

• too much family drama
• actions partly illogical/incomprehensible

"Cold Hell" is an impressive German film released in 2017. The lead character's performance is simply outstanding. Right from the beginning, you can't help but empathize with her, but as the story progresses, she becomes someone you can't help but dislike. It's a realistic portrayal of a person with a troubled past, as often happens in real life, where people tend to push others away and reject help. However, despite its strengths, the movie could have benefited from more suspense and a stronger antagonist to heighten the overall experience.

The film effectively captures the audience's attention with its engaging storyline and the exceptional acting prowess of the main character. From the very start, we are drawn into her world, feeling a deep sense of empathy for the challenges she faces. As the narrative unfolds, we witness her transformation into a character we find it hard to root for. This evolution is a testament to the actress's remarkable talent in portraying complex emotions and internal conflicts.

"Cold Hell" does a commendable job in shedding light on the harsh realities of life, particularly when it comes to individuals who have endured difficult circumstances. The film authentically portrays the tendency of some people to reject assistance and further isolate themselves, even when presented with opportunities to make positive choices. This portrayal adds depth and relatability to the story, allowing viewers to reflect on the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of personal history.

While "Cold Hell" excels in its character development and exploration of real-life struggles, it falls slightly short in terms of suspense and the strength of its antagonist. Though the film keeps you engaged, it could have benefited from a more palpable sense of tension and anticipation throughout. Additionally, a more formidable and memorable killer would have enhanced the overall impact of the story. By intensifying these elements, the movie could have provided a more gripping and thrilling experience for the audience.

Overall, "Cold Hell" is a solid German film that delivers powerful performances and delves into the intricacies of human nature. It effectively portrays the complexities of a character shaped by a difficult past and the repercussions of her choices. While it could have offered more suspense and a stronger antagonist, the film still manages to captivate viewers with its emotional depth and thought-provoking themes.

This is no Ben Hur or Lawrence of Arabia but I find myself watching this movie again and again when I don't know what I want to watch that night. I believe I must have watched it 10 times already and I know that I'll still watch it again. Based on this phenomenon alone, I have raised my rating to 9. The editing is quite good too and the art direction is well planned especially the colours. The main characters are not perfect but they both have guts and a softer, finer side. The more I watch this movie, the more I realize that I'm drawn to the characters' authentic personalities and the chemistry between them. They don't fit the Hollywood "handsome" or "gorgeous" moulds but I find them attractive and charismatic. And what can I say, I just love movies where the women can fight back!

Ozge, a young Turkish born taxi driver, who is also a Thai boxer. She keeps to herself mostly. One day she witnesses a murder and also the one who is responsible for it. The events that takes place after this is the basic plot of the movie.

The movies main positive is the lead actress violetta schurawlow. She is just amazing. We can see the anger, fear, intensity, just everything in her performance. You can just watch this movie for her performance. The action sequences were really good, especially the one in the metro train. The cinematography, the sound design and all the other aspects were good. The writing was really good in some places, the thrilling elements worked really nicely. I loved the sequences towards the climax very much.

The only issue i had with the movie is, i felt we could have spent a little more time with the character before the inciting incident. Rather we get to know the character more after the inciting incident, which makes the movie little slow in few places.

The movie is a solid one time watch. Give it a try if you love action thriller movies.

The lead actress is very good but the material is not up to her performance. Prostitutes are being killed by a serial killer and a taxi driver/mixed martial arts fighter is the next target. It seems that Muslim women are the victims and she must fight back against him. The action scenes are silly and the ending a letdown. Barely worth a view.

This film was phenomenal! Everything about it was just fantastic. The acting was superb, the cinematography was beautiful, the characters were well-written and multidimensional, and the action and suspense set pieces were masterfully done. Overall a very well done film!

I recently watched the Austrian film 🇦🇹 Cold Hell (2017) on Shudder. The storyline follows a woman from Turkey who works as a taxi driver in Austria as a serial killer emerges. When she gets a glimpse of the killer in action, she becomes his next target. Realizing she can't rely on anyone else to stop the killer, she takes matters into her own hands.

Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky (Hinterland), the film stars Violetta Schurawlow (Cannibal Diner), Tobias Moretti (A Hidden Life), Sammy Sheik (American Sniper), and Friedrich von Thun (Schindler's List).

This film has a unique concept with a promising premise but fails in execution. The setup is solid, resembling a modern giallo in some ways. However, there are long stretches where nothing happens. The main character is compelling and there is the expected horror nudity. The horror elements are fun and include a solid throat slash and some exciting fight scenes, which caught me off guard and left me wishing there were more of them. The glimpses of potential are frustrating because with better writing and more action, this could have been a great film.

In conclusion, Cold Hell has a worthwhile premise but falls short in execution and is very average. I would score this a 5/10 and recommend skipping it.

Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, "Cold Hell" is a 2017 Austrian horror movie that follows the story of Özge (Violetta Schurawlow), a young Turkish taxi driver who witnesses a brutal murder. As the killer begins to target Özge, she must use her wits and skills to stay alive.

The movie benefits from Schurawlow's strong performance as Özge, who is a compelling and complex protagonist. The supporting cast is also solid, with memorable performances by Tobias Moretti and Robert Palfrader. The movie's use of Vienna as a backdrop adds to the gritty and atmospheric feel of the film.

What sets "Cold Hell" apart from other horror movies is its focus on action and suspense. The movie features some well-choreographed fight scenes that are intense and visceral. The pacing is brisk, with the movie never letting up on the tension and thrills.

The movie's use of violence is not for the faint of heart, with some graphic and brutal moments that may be difficult for some viewers to watch. However, the violence is never gratuitous and serves to further the plot and develop the characters.

While "Cold Hell" is a solid thriller, it does have some flaws. The movie's plot is somewhat predictable, with few surprises along the way. The movie also struggles to balance its horror and action elements, with the horror taking a backseat to the action in the latter half of the film.

Overall, "Cold Hell" is a gritty and intense thriller that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. While it may not be groundbreaking, it features a compelling lead performance and some well-executed action scenes. For those looking for a fast-paced and violent thriller, "Cold Hell" is definitely worth a watch. Rating: 6/10 stars.

The movie was good but the main character is just so annoying. She never speaks, never answers anyone, is surly as heck, and just very frustrating in all ways. Besides her character being unpleasant the premise acting directing was all good. Unsure why she was made so unlikeable. Interesting commentary on racism, religious discrimination, dysfunctional families, women trying to take their power back in a patriachal society. Every character has a messed up family, which is probably overstating the problem... or maybe not. Good watch despite the character letting it down somewhat. Worth the watch.

I suspect the more perceptive viewer might suggest that this was not just a good action flick, but a comment on misogyny and prejudice. That aside, I thought this was a decent, gritty drama with a thrilling plot. The villain's sadistic tendencies make him a thoroughly hateful character, whilst the protagonist is flawed but admirable. Recommended.

Gabriel Millsom

Probably the surprise package of the film festival I attended, and it was originally at the bottom of my list to see. A gut-punching, and slickly crafted German/Austrian serial-killer crossed neo-noir thriller with ingrained giallo cues, religious motivations, political red tape, telling social/cultural themes and a no-holds-barred, headstrong central performance from the excellent Violetta Schurawlow as a Turkish immigrant, Özge, trying to make a life for herself in her adoptive Vienna.

She's a quiet, stubborn individual who works a taxi driver, attends evening classes and puts in the hard work training as a Thai-boxer. Don't get on her bad side, as she takes no bull from anyone and she'll let you know what real pain is! Also battling through persistent racism and sexism, the latter, includes from her own family. She shuts herself away, only really confiding with her similar aged cousin and young daughter. One night after returning home after a bruising session, looking out the window she discovers a dead body in the neighboring building. The killer, standing in the shadows, sees her and is convinced she has seen him too. This begins a life-and-death strugggle between the two, as the killer goes about trying to rid his witness unbeknown to him she can't identify him. Özge feels like she's all alone, but she won't go down without a fight and finds unexpected solace with the investigative detective.

When it came to the thrilling action scenes, from the vicious fight choreography through to the destructive vehicle chases/and stunts... what a rush! I was clenching my teeth, because of just how aggressive and brutal the carnage can be. When the focus centred on the cat-and-mouse element; talk about vigorous... like the first encounter in the taxi car. How it was edited and photographed; full of energy and verve without messily overdoing it, made it hard not to get swept up in it. The direction, camerawork along with Schurawlow's pyshical commitment really do make these scenes click.

The drama comes on large, as we start to see Ozge's character beats, especially her aloof nature around people and generally her own family. Things are hinted - deeper issues, but never really discussed, especially her toxic relationship with her father. But here, actions speak a lot more than words. As for the serial killer, he's archetypically portrayed as a deranged, but strategic killer targeting Muslim hookers. Other than that, which we learn from the detectives, little else is known. We only see him when he's about to attack someone (namely Özge) and this time he underestimated his next target.

I do find the first half to be gripping, but by the midway point the killer goes MIA and procedural groundwork falls to the background. There the story becomes loose and it begins the lull in its formulaic script. In particular when the narrative shifts to the melodramatic, even humorous interactions between the lead detective and Özge, as she seeks shelter under his roof along with his dementa affected father. At this stage of the story, it does display some candid laughs and touching moments, by presenting two very broken individuals hiding behind thick skins. Both not wanting to back down on their stance, but eventually the walls come down and respect it gained.

So by the third act, it turns it up a notch, ridiculously so and the hustle returns. The police finally come face-to-face with their prime suspect, and things go from bad to worse putting loved ones in a dangerous predicament. Just means the director wants to take you on another ride. So when it wants to thrill you, like before, it hits you like a tonne of bricks. What happens at the backend might be predictably written and stretching creditability, after a sobering drop in pace. Nonetheless we want to see Özge bust up this radical fanatic, no matter how over-the-top, and the suspenseful climax delivers on the promise.

A nice surprise. Very good script, good acting, good direction. Highly recommended.

Suspenseful and good actors Lots of nice action and car smashing I liked the main characters