Return of the Living Mold in Cold Storage (2026)

In a world saturated with zombie films, choose to be a fungus—not just any fungus, but a parasitic one.

This concept is explored in Jonny Campbell's new horror comedy, Cold Storage, based on David Koepp's 2019 novel and adapted from his screenplay.

If Koepp’s name sounds familiar, it should. He’s written a variety of blockbuster screenplays, including Jurassic Park (1993), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Mission Impossible (1996), and many more. Not a bad portfolio, if I do say so myself!

The trailer and poster gave me Return of the Living Dead (1985) vibes, featuring two self-storage workers who accidentally stumble upon a foreign substance that could infest the world.

With the pedigree behind the script and a stellar cast: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Sosie Bacon, and Liam Neeson, this had the makings of a major success.

The movie opens with information on how the fungus arrived on Earth and a cold open that sets the stage for the spread and the chaos about to unfold. Sosie Bacon appears only in this opening sequence, and it is gross and gets your blood pumping.

The fungus sample is taken to an underground cold storage unit at the Atchison Storage Facility in Kansas. We meet Teacake (Keery), a lovable, dopey ex-con who really needs his job to make ends meet. Naomi (Campbell) is a new employee and a young mother who is curious and playful at work. They work the night shift, and as the evening goes on, they discover things beneath the building they wish they had never found.

This is a story about a gooey, slimy fungus that wants to take over its hosts and spread, with some either committing suicide or spontaneously combusting. Combine that with a biker gang, Pentagon operatives, and innocent bystanders, and you have a bonkers tale that sounds incredible.

…on paper.

Without Keery, Campbell, and Neeson, this movie would fall flat. Keery and Campbell share fantastic chemistry and witty banter, adding charm and a lighthearted touch. Keery's popularity in the horror community is unmatched; he’s seen as the quintessential lovable guy, effortlessly bringing a cool aura to the film. Campbell is also gaining recognition in the genre, especially after her standout role in Barbarian (2022). Neeson remains consistent as himself—playing the same character in every film. Is that a flaw? Certainly not… when you’re Liam Neeson.

There are some really fun and campy sequences throughout, especially when the fungus is involved, with scenes that highlight the bizarre and unsettling transformations. Practical effects are used effectively to turn infected humans into slimy, gooey creatures, showcasing gruesome yet creative craftsmanship. However, there is a significant amount of CGI, mostly on infected wildlife, which appears grossly unconvincing and unpolished, detracting from the overall immersion. I can forgive some wonky CGI, but its overuse becomes a hindrance to my attention to the film.

Another strong point was the setting. The self-storage facility provides an ideal setting for a horror film, with its maze of narrow hallways and numerous storage units where characters could easily hide. The underground section, with its shadowy tunnels and hidden corners, amplifies the sense of space, transforming a single-location story into a larger world full of suspense and potential for discovery.

The biggest fumble this movie makes is the pacing. Moments that create tension or dread fizzle out before the narrative progresses. The opening scene was exhilarating, and we got a glimpse of what the fungus can do to a human. But we did not see another fungus zombie person for an hour into the movie. There were infected animals, sure, but I’m here for the zombie carnage, people! There is a lot of action in the third act, but it all happens in about 30 minutes in a 99-minute film.

Basically, it feels like whiplash, with the tonal shifts between moments of tension, comedic relief, and satire creating a disjointed narrative that hampers emotional flow and makes the storyline feel stagnant, as if no real progress is being made.

Don’t get me wrong, the third act is a blast with plenty of exciting moments and creative effects. However, the journey there felt like a slog, dragging on and diminishing my overall enjoyment. It had potential—especially with its interesting concept and quirky characters—but didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

And I’m not a horror snob by any means. I genuinely love a good horror comedy, especially the B-, C-, and D-rated ones that embrace their campiness. I can even see The Gingerdead Man box set on my shelves from my desk. But this did not live up to the Return of the Living Dead scenario I had in my head. I did myself a disservice imaging it as so.

Overall, I rate Cold Storage 2.5 out of 5 stars. This horror comedy is best suited for viewers seeking light entertainment—so you might want to wait until it’s available to stream.

Grab a gummy, put on some popcorn, and turn your brain off.

This film isn't meant for deep analysis; it’s more of a 'sit back, relax, and taking bathroom breaks without needing to hit pause. Oh, and admiring a blonde Joe Keery. Let’s not forget that.

Cold Storage can be seen in theaters starting February 13th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kea7gnh1uYA