Cold Pursuit

On the surface, Nels Coxman leads a quiet life as a considered, steady snowplow driver in a small Colorado town. When tragedy strikes his family, his orderly world shatters and he channels grief into a relentless hunt for Viking, the drug lord he holds responsible. Nels methodically targets Viking's lieutenants, stripping away the protection around the operation one by one. Each hit tightens the net, exposing a web of corrupt ties and unexpected allies. The pursuit escalates into brutal, stylized violence, yet the motive stays simple: a father’s resolve to punish the killer and reclaim his sense of safety. As the body count climbs, the lines between hunter and prey blur in chilling fashion that keeps audiences uneasy and alert.

A production note, Hans Petter Moland directs this English language remake of the Norwegian hit In Order of Disappearance. Screenwriters Kim Fupz Aakeson and Frank Baldwin adapt the premise for Western audiences while preserving the film's brisk, blackly comic tone.

Box office wise, Cold Pursuit earned about 76.4 million dollars worldwide against a 60 million budget, signaling solid performance for a mid range action thriller. The global figure reflects decent legs in North America, Europe, and international markets abroad too.

The film's tone blends dry humor with brutal action, giving it a distinct feel among revenge stories. Neeson's understated performance anchors the carnage while supporting players like Laura Dern and Tom Bateman supply counterpoints. It drew attention in genre circles for its brisk pacing and dark humor that linger after.

Critics offered mixed takes, noting the film's concise setup, practical stunts, and Neeson's steady command, while some argued the plot remained thin beyond the setup. Core themes include the cost of grief, how violence metastasizes through a community, and the fragile line separating justice from vengeance in a snowbound world.