A One Mann’s Movies review of “A Long Winter”. (From the 2026 London Film Festival). (2026, 3.5*, NR).
Andrew Haigh’s last feature film was released 3 years ago and I loved All of Us Strangers so much that it topped my list of the Best Films of 2024. So A Long Winter this was a film I was looking forward to seeing. And it was great from a film-making point of view: beautifully shot with some great performances. But, boy is it bleak! Not only is the story a bit of a Debbie-Downer, but the snowy landscape of Colorado will also make you feel chilly: this is a film where you feel like keeping your coat on in the cinema.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Returning to his childhood home deep in the Rocky mountains of Colorado, Mike (Fred Hechinger) is drawn back into the quiet rituals of family life, sharing home-cooked meals and accompanying his parents and brother on their weekly trip to the village, as if time had stood still. But there are hidden fractures within the family, revealing painful unspoken truths.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This film has not yet received a classification by the BBFC, but I would expect it to be a 15 based on adult themes and strong language.)
Talent:
Starring: Fred Hechinger, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Caitríona Balfe, Kit Connor, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, David Furr, Anthony Timpano, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Geoff Gustafson, Martin Freeman.
Directed by: Andrew Haigh.
Written by: Andrew Haigh. (Based on the short story by Colm Tóibín.)
Running Time: 1h 57m.
Review:
Positives:
- The cinematography by André Turpin of the mountainous landscape is wonderful, with some of the vistas captured being breathtaking. Although supposed to be Colorado, the film was actually shot in Alberta, Canada: making a good trailer for the Canadian Tourist Board. Elsewhere in the film, the camera work is slick: low-light work is brilliant and in one scene we see Mike (Fred Hechinger) stroll into his home and the camera tracks, in a leisurely manner, until we see him stroll into the kitchen through the kitchen window.
- The script (by Haigh) drip feeds us information progressively. As the film starts, there is tension in the house, but we don’t know why. We assume it is because Tommy (Kit Connor) is going away: we don’t know where or why until later. But then, after he leaves, the tension remains. The film only progressively paints in the details. I liked that.
- The ensemble cast of actors is great. Fred (Gladiator II) Hechinger is very effective in the lead role, even if he did keen reminding me, unnervingly, of a young Tobey Maguire in his mannerisms. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (who I only know as ‘The Thing’ from Fantastic Four: First Steps) is superb in the role of the stressed father Lester. Caitríona (Belfast) Balfe is as fabulous as always as the mother Louise, married to Lester for over 25 years. But a real surprise in the film was finding Martin Freeman in the film as an uncle who lives on the other side of the mountain. Freeman affects a really great accent and although he’s only in the film a small amount, he really punched up the quality. He should do more of these more heavyweight dramatic roles.
Negatives:
- There is a homo-erotic vibe to some of the scenes that I didn’t think the film needed. My presumption was that Mike (Fred Hechinger) is gay from the scenes of him watching his brother masturbate in bed and the lustful glances he later gives the new houseboy Jimmy (the strikingly attractive D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, from Warfare). But nothing is really progressed with this theme. And then, when he is in town, he seems to be giving admiring glances to one of the young girls he knows through a shop window. So, I was confused; perhaps he was confused?! It didn’t quite work for me.
- The ending is a bit obscure. I was like, “wait? what? Is that it?” There is an assumption you have to make in terms of the plot. And if the smile on Mike’s face meant something deep and meaningful, it was sadly lost on me. Perhaps, once again, I am just not smart enough for this film!
Triggers
There are scenes of some animals and birds being killed and close ups of their carcasses. Some animal lovers may not enjoy these.
SPOILER: this film gets me to double figures for my doesthedogdie.com tally for films seen in 2027 (the others being Die My Love, Sirāt, Shelter, Evil Dead Burn, The Last Viking, The Odyssey, The Last House, The Dog Stars and The Idiot(s)). So a double whammy for animal lovers in this film.
Summary Thoughts:
It’s not a remotely cheery film, but it is a good film. It’s one of those that I’m really glad I saw on the big screen, but which I wouldn’t rush back to watch again.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here:
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