Movie Breakdown: Centigrade

Pre-Screening Stance:

Centigrade doesn’t look as creepy/scary as Relic, Sputnik and other recent IFC Midnight releases, but that’s OK since I’m generally a sucker for survival movies, especially those that are based on actual events.

Post-Screening Ramble:

In a lot of ways, Centigrade reminds me of 2003’s Open Water. It features two barely likeable people who make a bad decision and end up in a life-or-death situation, and then from there it’s a bleak ride straight to hell. This isn’t to say that Centigrade needed to have a “fun” take on what the unfortunately-pregnant Naomi (Genesis Rodriguez) and her husband Matt (Vincent Piazza) endured after their rental car became entirely snowed in on the side of a road somewhere in Norway in 2002 (this is based on a true story), but you never get the impression that either of them legitimately likes, loves or trusts the other. This, unfortunately, really pulls you out of being engaged with their survival, as it’s not interesting watching them quibble over inane things like who gets the blame for leaving something out of place. I think we’ve all gotten enough of that at home during this pandemic, am I right? Ha!

In all seriousness, I do believe there’s a great story to be told here, but outside of a tiny handful of actually-dramatic moments, Centigrade feels more like it’s about a couple who are stuck together in a car and less like two people fighting for their lives. Bummer. I wouldn’t seek this one out unless you’re just really starved for a new movie.

One Last Thought:

I still can’t believe how long these people stayed in their car. I would have given it a day (or at least as long as was needed for the blizzard to blow over), and then I would have been all about digging myself out of the snow and trying to get help.