There’s something incredibly satisfying about finding a horror franchise that somehow flew under your radar for years. While everyone was talking about the big American slashers of the 2000s, Norway quietly delivered one of the best modern slasher trilogies you’ve probably never seen. Thankfully, Second Sight Films is giving Cold Prey the deluxe treatment it deserves.
Set against the beautiful—but absolutely unforgiving—snow-covered mountains of Norway, the trilogy follows the terrifying legend of the Mountain Man, a hulking killer who has no problem turning an isolated winter vacation into an absolute nightmare. If you’re a fan of old-school slashers with memorable killers, great atmosphere, and plenty of suspense, this series checks all the boxes. The original Cold Prey wastes very little time getting down to business. After a snowboarding accident strands a group of friends at an abandoned mountain hotel, they quickly realize someone else has been calling the place home. The frozen setting gives the film a personality all its own, creating a constant feeling of isolation that makes every hallway and every snow-covered trail feel dangerous. Best of all, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal gives us one of the toughest and most likable final girls horror has produced in the last twenty years. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, Cold Prey II simply cranks everything up a notch. Picking up immediately after the events of the first film, the action moves to a nearly deserted hospital where the Mountain Man isn’t quite finished. Bigger kills, more tension, and a faster pace make this one an absolute blast, and many fans consider it the strongest entry of the trilogy. Cold Prey III takes things in a different direction by serving as a prequel that explores the killer’s origins. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first two films, it still does a solid job expanding the mythology without overexplaining what makes the Mountain Man so creepy in the first place.
As for this Limited Edition release…Second Sight does what Second Sight always seems to do—they go all out. The newly recorded interviews with directors Roar Uthaug and Mats Stenberg, along with Ingrid Bolsø Berdal and the rest of the creative team, are genuinely interesting and never feel like filler. The new audio commentaries are packed with behind-the-scenes stories, while the archival material includes deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, bloopers, visual effects breakdowns, alternate endings, short films, and even a music video. It’s the kind of release where you’ll probably spend almost as much time digging through the extras as you do watching the movies. Collectors are going to love the physical presentation as well. The rigid slipcase featuring brand-new artwork by James Neal looks fantastic on the shelf, while the included 120-page hardcover book is loaded with new essays that dive into the trilogy from every angle. Throw in five collectible art cards, and you’ve got another premium release that easily lives up to Second Sight’s reputation.
If you’ve never experienced the Cold Prey films, this is hands-down the way to do it. They’re tense, bloody, beautifully shot, and feature one of the most underrated slasher villains of the modern era. And if you’re already a fan? You’re probably going to have a hard time resisting this release. Second Sight continues to prove why they’re one of the very best labels in physical media, and the Cold Prey Trilogy is another outstanding addition to their lineup. It’s loaded with special features, packed in gorgeous collector-friendly packaging, and gives these underrated slashers the first-class treatment they’ve always deserved.
