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Mary Steenburgen, Roddy McDowall, Jan Rubes, William Russ, Mark Malone ... see more see more... , Ken Pogue , Michael Copeman , Sam Malkin , Wayne Robson , Dwayne McLean

Despite its relative failure at the box office, this is a worthwhile thriller from the director of Bonnie and Clyde. Mary Steenburgen stars as an actress, Katie McGovern, lured to the upstate New York... read more read more... cabin of crazy Dr. Joseph Lewis (Jan Rubes), a diabolical crippled shrink playing a blackmail game with the ruthless sister of a recently murdered woman, who happened to be a dead ringer for Katie. Lewis and his creepy assistant (Roddy McDowall) keep Katie captive, videotaping her and cutting off her finger to further their sordid plot, while she tries desperately to get away. As the title implies, Arthur Penn gets a lot of atmosphere out of the remote cabin and a raging blizzard, and the cast is terrific. It all falls apart eventually, but is quite gripping until the required histrionics in the silly final reel. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Flixster Users

42% liked it

999 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Arthur Penn

Release Date: June 1, 1986

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DVD Release Date: December 3, 2002

Stats: 58 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (58)

  • ajv2688
    February 6, 2011
    ajv2688
    I saw this on TV not too long ago, it could have been a good thriller, but it lacks enough twists and turns and excitement. The story is predictable, and although there is a good cast, no one really stands out. I guess this movies is okay, though, it wasn't too bad.
  • threefolddado
    July 2, 2008
    threefolddado
    Some nice twists.
  • The80sExpert
    November 15, 2010
    The80sExpert
    This movie is okay. It has the elements of a good thriller, but it doesn't use them to their full potential. The story has something to do with a psychiatrist, a lady, her sister, and some kind of blackmail, I think? All you really know is that for some reason she wants her si... read morester dead, and they never explain well enough why. This movie is a remake of a film noir, maybe if I see the original it'll make more sense out of this story? I don't think this movie has a very good ending either. Anyway, it's not good or bad, it's just okay.

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Critic Reviews

Neil Cohen
July 29, 2007
Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine

A chilly, creepy throwback to classic thrillers.

Michael A. Smith
December 14, 2006
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

An outstanding thriller. Penn at the top of his game.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 27, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Will appeal to fans of Sleuth and other movies in this genre. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

A seriously underrated little mystery flick. Give it a shot!

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Pat Graham
January 1, 2000
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Paul Attanasio
January 1, 2000
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

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Dead of Winter Trivia

  • In which movie did Ed Oneal say "They say that if you stab a man in the dead of winter then steam will rise from his body"?  Answer »
  • Which movie did Omar Shariff walk across Russia in the dead of winter?  Answer »
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