‘Cold Wallet’ Review: Engrossing Thriller About Trio Seeking Repayment for a Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme

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For anyone harboring doubts about the security of investing in cryptocurrency, those fears might be intensified by “Cold Wallet,” a smart and suspenseful thriller centering around three ordinary individuals turned vigilantes, aiming to recoup their investments from an unscrupulous swindler. From the get-go, director Cutter Hodierne manages to generate sympathy for his makeshift heroes, despite the fact that they quickly find themselves in far more than they can handle, with their predicament worsening as the story unfolds.

In this narrative, we meet Billy (Raúl Castillo), a man struggling with unemployment and questionable financial decisions. He boasts to patrons in a karaoke bar in the Berkshires about his crypto investments, particularly Tulip, claiming it will only rise. However, unbeknownst to him, his investment is not thriving as he believes. His optimism is shaken when he makes a promise to his daughter (Joanna Sylvie Weinig) that he’ll soon afford a new home where they can escape from her mom, his ex-wife (Zoë Winters), who remains skeptical and unconvinced by his claims.

It appears that Charles Hegel, the mastermind behind Tulip (portrayed with an air of smug superiority by Josh Brener), has passed away in Kenya. With him, he took all the vital passwords required to access his numerous investors’ accounts. Unfortunately for Billy, this means not only is he bankrupt but also he now owes a $42,163 deficit on his Tulip account, which he can no longer access. Meanwhile, Dom (Tony Cavalero), Billy’s best friend, martial arts teacher, and fellow Tulip investor, finds himself in a similarly precarious position. He had intended to use his crypto earnings to open his own dojo, but his peaceful beliefs help him keep his anger in check, at least for the time being.

In this story, I’ve been communicating with a Reddit user named Eva (Melonie Diaz) for more than a year without meeting her in person, yet I trust her implicitly and believe she’s an exceptional hacker. When I stumbled upon Hegel’s trickery, she quickly caught on – even pointing out that phony Kenyan death certificates are commonplace. With some additional online sleuthing, she discovers that the so-called deceased tycoon is holed up in a hidden mansion nearby. Proposing a plan of action, she suggests we three (Eva, Billy, and me) should go after Hegel and make him return every dollar he swindled from his victims. In her words, “We’re going to Robin Hood this situation.

Despite its flaws, the plan might be questionable, but the convincing portrayals by Castillo, Cavalero, and Diaz make it believable that these characters, though not the brightest, are shrewd rather than foolish. It’s plausible to think that they could convince themselves of their success with the risky home invasion scheme, despite their inexperience in criminal activities and the challenging circumstances stacked against them.

In “Cold Wallet”, though there are hints of other home invasion films and a wink towards Sam Raimi’s “A Simple Plan”, the movie distinguishes itself, as suggested by its association with Steven Soderbergh. The filmmaker, Hodierne, in collaboration with John Hibey on the screenplay, infuses the tension with generous doses of pitch-black humor. This is particularly evident during the scene where the trio visits a gun store and meets an enthusiastic saleswoman who offers them the same type of gun as John Wick’s, and suggests a discounted Beretta for Eva if she signs up for their rewards program. Later, when they manage to break into Hegel’s mansion, Dom’s persistent unwillingness to harm Hegel physically, even during interrogation, becomes a recurring joke that might lead to a potentially fatal consequence.

Instead, let’s rephrase that in a more straightforward and conversational manner:

Hegel surprisingly sounds sincere when he states he doesn’t possess his “cold wallet” (offline storage device) for transferring funds. Moreover, he argues that such a massive transaction would immediately alert both his accomplices and federal authorities. However, the intruders aren’t convinced by Hegel’s tale and demand him to contact his assistant (Genevieve Adams) and have her bring by morning the incriminating items from a safety deposit box in the Cayman Islands.

As the journey from night to day becomes more and more tense, “Cold Wallet” frequently hints at impending disaster, not just a possible event, but one that seems increasingly likely. This could occur at any instant, unless another catastrophe strikes beforehand.

Oliver Miller’s captivating cinematography plays a crucial role throughout, whether in the chilling winter landscapes or the oppressive interiors of Hegel’s mansion. Also, pay attention to the clever incorporation of discordant music. If you listen carefully, you’ll catch echoes of “Silent Night” as Billy, Dom, and Eva struggle through the snow on their way to Hegel’s house.

Or, more casually:

Oliver Miller’s stunning cinematography is a key element in every scene, whether it takes place outside in icy settings or inside Hegel’s mansion. Plus, keep an ear out for the creative use of unusual music. If you listen closely, you might recognize “Silent Night” playing softly as Billy, Dom, and Eva make their way through the snow towards Hegel’s house.

What’s the final outcome? In a way that keeps the secret intact: Isn’t it intriguingly ironic that, if you’re watching from home, you might feel an overwhelming urge to rewatch the entire film straight away, simply to fully grasp how flawlessly everything seems to inexorably build up towards that closing scene.

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2025-02-28 18:46