Let It Snow (2020)

Directed by: Stanislav Kapralov | 83 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Ivanna Sakhno, Alex Hafner, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Mariam Sulakadze, Olga Sulzhenko, Ihar Kankov, Ihar Kankov, Gia Japharidze, Avtandil Chakhunashvili, Soslan Oniashvili, Elena Turbal, Mykyta Kutepov, Gocha Vardidze

‘Let It Snow’ by director Stanislav Kapralov begins with a scene in which a girl is skimmed over by a so-called freerider on a snow slope in Georgia. Together with his girlfriend, he leaves the lifeless body behind, so as not to get into trouble. Yes, so that’s asking for trouble, you’ll always see that.

In this annoyingly slow thriller, we then see how the in love snowboard couple Mia (Ivanna Sakhno) and Max (Alex Hafner), all the way from America, arrive at their ski hotel in Georgia. Max asks the receptionist how to get to the Black Slope, but the lady tries to warn them. She says the slope is closed and advises the couple not to go freeriding there. Against all odds, Max is determined to descend the Black Slope. Mia is a little less enthusiastic. She wonders if it’s such a good idea, because many ski enthusiasts turn out to inexplicably lose their lives on this damned ‘Black Ridge’. Max manages to persuade the helicopter pilot with money to drop them off at the top of the Black Slope and then things go wild…

Mia soon loses contact with Max due to the rising fog and is injured when someone on a snowmobile runs over her. After waking from unconsciousness, she diligently searches for Max. In her quest, she must battle not only the elements, but also a vengeful, masked killer on a snowmobile. How much blood will flow in the virgin snow?

From the banal dialogue between Mia and Max in the car, you already know: this isn’t going to be him. When the couple also ignore the obvious omens, the tone is set. Now we have to wait for scary moments. They will come, but they are so minimal in number that you wonder whether this film can carry the load of ‘thriller/horror’. When an unexpectedly irascible chicken has to provide the worst scare…

Furthermore, it is bloody irritating to see how -literally- slow the story (well, story?) and protagonist Mia move. Tired, with multiple wounds and cold and wet, all a bit unbelievable, the question is whether she will find Max again. On the way, she is helped from below by the grandfather of the girl who died in an avalanche and warned her again. Too late!

The receptionist’s sinister glance gives away something from the very beginning, and it gradually gets worse. Right up to the ridiculously predictable ending, you’re watching a slow, bland movie, with horribly acting protagonists. Add together a sad death, blood feud, a conspiracy and family ties and you have the vehicle ‘Let It Snow’.

Better to rename the movie as ‘Let it go’. Just let it go, leave it far to the left. You soon get snowed under by an avalanche of nonsense. Sorry, very sorry. That one star is for the beautiful scenery images, Georgia in the snow is very beautiful. Now to find a director who does more justice to this…