Prepare for a heart-pounding thriller set against an unforgiving landscape when “Dead of Winter” arrives in theaters on September 25, 2025. The film follows a woman traveling alone through the vast, snowbound wilderness of northern Minnesota who accidentally interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl. With hours separating them from the nearest town and no cell phone service to call for help, the stranger realizes she is the young girl’s only hope for survival. This sets in motion a desperate cat-and-mouse game through the frozen forests, where the harsh elements are just as dangerous as the relentless kidnappers in pursuit.

Anchoring this high-stakes survival story is an exceptional cast led by the legendary Academy Award winner Emma Thompson. She is joined by Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca, and rising star Laurel Marsden. The film promises to be a tense, character-driven thriller that explores the limits of courage and the powerful instinct to protect a life in peril, all set within the breathtaking yet deadly beauty of a Minnesota winter.

Meet the Cast of Dead of Winter

1. Emma Thompson as Barb

The incomparable Emma Thompson headlines the film as Barb, the solitary traveler who becomes an unlikely hero. Thompson, renowned for her depth and intelligence in roles from Howards End to Sense and Sensibility, brings a profound gravitas to this thriller. Her character, Barb, is likely a woman with her own reasons for being alone on the road—perhaps seeking solitude or escaping a past trauma. When thrust into an impossible situation, she must draw on reserves of strength and resourcefulness she never knew she possessed.

Thompson’s performance will be the emotional core of the film. She will portray a relatable, everyday heroism, not of a trained action star, but of an ordinary woman forced to make extraordinary choices. Her journey from a passive observer to a fierce protector will be a compelling arc, made believable by Thompson’s unparalleled ability to convey inner resolve, fear, and determination. She is the audience’s anchor in a terrifyingly plausible scenario.

2. Judy Greer as Purple Lady

The versatile and beloved Judy Greer (Archer, *13 Going on 30*) takes on the role of “Purple Lady.” This intriguing character name suggests a distinct and memorable personality. Greer, often a scene-stealing supporting actress, could play a local resident Barb encounters, perhaps in a brief moment of civilization before the ordeal begins, or a figure from the kidnappers’ world. Her role, while likely not extensive, will be pivotal, providing a crucial piece of information, a moment of aid, or a misleading clue.

Greer’s casting adds a layer of familiarity and potential unpredictability to the narrative. Whether she is a harmless eccentric or someone with a connection to the crime, her presence will disrupt the story’s trajectory and raise the stakes for Barb. Greer’s ability to blend warmth with unease makes her perfect for a thriller where no character can be entirely trusted.

3. Marc Menchaca as Camo Jacket

Marc Menchaca, known for his chilling performance in The Outsider and Ozark, brings a palpable sense of menace to the role identified as “Camo Jacket.” This character is undoubtedly one of the primary kidnappers, a man whose attire signifies his familiarity with the harsh wilderness and his role as a hunter. Menchaca excels at portraying quietly threatening, blue-collar antagonists whose danger lies in their practicality and lack of remorse.

As Camo Jacket, Menchaca will be a formidable and relentless foe. His character represents the immediate, physical threat that pursues Barb and the girl through the snow. Menchaca’s ability to convey a cold, calculating demeanor will make the antagonist feel authentic and terrifying—not a cartoon villain, but a determined criminal for whom the wilderness is a home-field advantage, making him even more dangerous.

4. Laurel Marsden as Leah

Laurel Marsden, who gained attention in Ms. Marvel, stars as Leah, the kidnapped teenage girl. Marsden’s role is critical, as she must portray the terror, vulnerability, and will to survive of a victim who must place her trust in a complete stranger. Leah is not merely a damsel in distress; she will likely need to be an active participant in her own rescue, finding courage amidst the panic.

Marsden’s performance will generate much of the film’s suspense and emotional weight. The dynamic between Leah and Barb—the initial fear, the gradual building of trust, and their desperate collaboration—will be the heart of the story. Her character represents the innocent life that is at stake, making Barb’s mission intensely personal for the audience.

The Supporting Cast: Past and Present

The film is supported by a cast that fleshes out the story through flashbacks or key encounters:

• Gaia Wise (Emma Thompson’s real-life daughter) plays a Young Barb, suggesting flashbacks that will reveal the backstory and trauma that shape the protagonist’s actions in the present.

• Cúán Hosty-Blaney and Paul Hamilton portray Young Karl and Old Karl, indicating a character named Karl whose life intersects with Barb’s at different points, potentially holding the key to her connection with the area or the conflict.

• Dalton Leeb and Brían F. O’Byrne appear as Younger Hunter and Tall Hunter, likely associates of Camo Jacket, adding numbers and variety to the threat pursuing the protagonists.

• Lloyd Hutchinson rounds out the cast as a Lawyer, a role that could appear in the modern narrative or in flashbacks, perhaps involved in the events that led to the kidnapping or Barb’s journey north.

This ensemble helps to build a richer narrative, suggesting that the present-day crisis is intertwined with secrets from the past, adding layers of mystery to the relentless survival thriller.