While the concept of ‘white men running around an isolated location and threatening each other with guns’ has been re-hashed to the point of tedium, the first trailer for Edge Of Winter suggests there might be something worthwhile contained within. The feature length debut of writer-director Rob Connolly – scripting here with newcomer Kyle Mann – seems to focus heavily on character and suspicion, instead of the stereotypical growling masculinity we are used to seeing.
“Recently divorced and laid off from his job, Elliot Baker (Joel Kinnaman, Suicide Squad; Run All Night) is desperate to spend more time bonding with his sons, Bradley (Tom Holland, Captain America: Civil War) and Caleb (Percy Hynes White, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb). What starts as a family day trip to teach his boys how to shoot turns into a nightmare when they become stranded. As they retreat to a desolate cabin, Elliot’s mounting fear of losing custody pushes him to the edge. The brothers quickly realize that the man responsible for keeping them safe has now become their biggest threat.”
Joining Joel Kinnaman, Tom Holland and Percy Hynes White in the cast are Rachelle Lefevre (Under The Dome), Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead), and Rossif Sutherland (Reign) – and they all appear to be on point, feeding into the overall, striking tone of the film.
That tone – according to this preview footage – is one of creeping dread, and it is most specifically created by Joel Kinnaman, as a father concerned that he’s losing the last thing he holds dear. There is also an underlying sense of imminent tragedy – that we are watching events conspire against a man that cannot be relied upon to do the right thing. This immediately sets us adrift in a sea of uncertainty – which is where the two young sons also find themselves.
This is a small, independent movie, and could well be one that strikes a chord with regard to the male psyche, and the lengths to which people can be pushed. What is also interesting, is that its August 12th, 2016 release date puts Edge Of Winter within a few days of the release of Suicide Squad – which also stars Joel Kinnaman. It seems that, at both ends of the budgetary scale, Kinnaman will have this summer’s box office covered.