Liam Neeson stars as Robert Quinn, a hardened bioterrorism agent, in the upcoming sci-fi thriller Cold Storage, which releases in cinemas on February 20. Tasked with containing a dangerous, rapidly mutating fungal parasite leaking from an abandoned military base, Neeson confronts a crisis that threatens humanity’s survival. The film marks another chapter in Neeson’s extensive career, highlighting his latest role in a genre-blending narrative built around tension, humor, and action.
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Film
Directed by Jonny Campbell and penned by renowned screenwriter David Koepp, Cold Storage features a strong supporting cast with Joe Keery from Stranger Things, Georgina Campbell of Barbarian, and Lesley Manville, known for Phantom Thread. Koepp, famous for writing blockbusters such as Jurassic World: Rebirth and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, delivers a screenplay that uniquely combines elements of science fiction, horror, and comedy.
Neeson’s Enthusiasm for the Script and Co-Stars
Liam Neeson revealed his fascination with Koepp’s screenplay, stating that it immediately captured his attention and kept him engaged throughout the reading process. He explained the rarity of such an experience for him, commenting on the story’s pace and humor as notable attributes.
“I’ve been a huge admirer of David Koepp’s work for many years now. I’ve always admired his skill with screenplays,”
says Neeson.
“When I was sent it, I just found a real page-turner. That’s rare, certainly with me. I usually read five pages and think, ‘Oh, I’ll make a cup of tea,’ which is normally not a good sign. But for this one, I read from page one to the end in one sitting. It was terrific. It was a lovely amalgamation of different genres, too. There’s a lovely thread of comedy running through it.”
He also praised his young co-stars, Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell, for their chemistry and professionalism during filming. Neeson said their on-set dynamic influenced how he delivered his own lines, many involving technical bioterror concepts, by setting a natural pace.
“I didn’t know Joe’s work. I know he was on Stranger Things and I maybe saw a couple of those early episodes. But Georgina, I didn’t know at all,”
Neeson stated.
“I have to say, they were just terrific to work with. They actually inspired me and gave me a sense of the pace my character should speak at. Most of my lines involve bioterror-related physics and chemistry, you know, but when working with Joe and Georgina on the first day… I loved them. The chemistry they had between the two of them was terrific. For a start, they inspired me in how I should deliver my performance.”
Balancing Horror, Action, and Humor
Although Liam Neeson is not typically drawn to horror, he appreciated the genre mix in Cold Storage. The combination of suspense and levity, layered with action, offered him a fresh experience.
“I think the fact that David Koepp has amalgamated two or three different genres works beautifully,”
Neeson explained.
“He keeps a real, lovely sense of humour running through it all, and yet it never lets up on the tension that builds over 24 hours with this contagious, mutating fungus on the loose.”
Reflecting on his first viewing of the film before post-production effects, Neeson was impressed by the completed product with special effects added.
“I saw a rough cut of the film maybe about a year and a half ago, with no special effects, and I was really taken with it. But when I saw the completed version last week, with all the special effects and everything added, I was really knocked out by it. I truly was.
And I’m not a big horror fan at all, far from it. But this struck a lovely balance between edge-of-your-seat tension, to use the phrase, and humour. It was a really lovely balance.”
Insights from Joe Keery on His Role as Teacake
Joe Keery portrays Teacake, a young man recently out of prison who works alongside Naomi at a self-storage company built on the former military base’s site. Keery described his character as complex, with contrasting external qualities and internal struggles, making it an appealing role.
“For me personally, I just thought the character was such a great opportunity,”
said Keery.
“Teacake is someone from a different walk of life than I’ve played before. I loved the dichotomy of this person whose exterior is one thing and whose inner life is something else entirely.”
The character’s backstory includes trying to stay on parole while navigating challenges shaped by youth mistakes. Keery reflected on Teacake’s motivations and relationships within the story.
“He is somebody who is very impressionable and wants to make other people happy, which has led him down a couple of bad paths,”
Keery added.
“Maybe he’s not a very good decision maker. And maybe his judgment in his youth was a little flawed.”
“Teacake is fascinated with Naomi because she’s so blunt and honest and invites that same level of honesty out of him. That’s different for him. There’s no posturing going on with her. And he’s not spent a lot of time around people like that. That’s an attractive, exciting quality in somebody.”
Georgina Campbell Discusses Naomi’s Role and Relationship Dynamics
Georgina Campbell plays Naomi, a single mother balancing her parenting duties with the ambition to attend veterinary school. Naomi’s character sharply contrasts with Teacake’s, as Campbell describes in terms of personality and communication styles.
“Naomi is someone who uses her words carefully, whereas he babbles,”
Campbell explained.
“What I really love about the script is that she has a preconceived idea of who Teacake is by how he looks, his tattoos and his hair.
At first, she thinks Teacake is a bit of an idiot, that she can manipulate him. But as they spend more time together, she realises that even though he has been to prison and has lived this shady life, he is very real, funny and caring, and has a genuine interest in her. She’s quite taken aback by who he really is too.”
Campbell also praised David Koepp for his detailed writing, which helped her understand Naomi’s full backstory beyond the screenplay.
“David is such a great writer and goes into such vivid detail, so to be able to talk to him was invaluable.”
Anticipation for Cold Storage’s Release and Impact
Cold Storage promises to deliver a suspenseful and genre-blending experience combining bioterrorism, science fiction, horror, and humor, driven by Liam Neeson’s compelling lead as Robert Quinn. With strong performances from Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell and David Koepp’s creative writing, the film seeks to keep audiences engaged through unpredictable tension and character dynamics. As it hits cinemas on February 20, fans of Neeson and genre thrillers alike can expect an intense, emotionally grounded story about survival and trust amid an unprecedented biological threat.
