Cold Wallet

If you know what a ‘cold wallet’ is then this tale of cyberspace, cryptocurrency speculation, fortune, loss and fraud then you could well be few steps ahead here as there’s jargon aplenty. But that shouldn’t deter the not so tech jargon savvy.

The basic plot is that deadbeat dad Billy (Rául Castillo) took a chance on an investment plan in cryptocurrency called Tulip that has turned him into a very wealthy man. With his imagination going into overdrive and thoughts of having his daughter coming to live with him, on Christmas Day it all collapses around him.

The news is that Tulip CEO Charles Hegel (Josh Brener) has died and as the only one with the access, the accounts have been frozen. Worse still he’s now in dept.

However a text from Eva (Melonie Diaz) whom Billy knows through forums says it’s all a scam and Hegel is holed up in a mansion. Calling on the ‘skills’ of Billy’s wrestling coach Dom (Tony Cavalero), the three decide to pay Hegel a visit steal the ‘cold wallet’ where he keeps the Tulip data and redistribute the money.

Getting into the mansion and tying up Hegel is the fairly easy bit. What proves to be more difficult is dealing with Hegel’s attempts at manipulation. Clever or just cunning its clear why and how he made his fortune.

The fun here is the interaction between the characters, their temptations, ethics and morals as they battle with each other and Hegel. Director Cutter Hodierne and co-writer John Hibey keep a tight hold on the action and bristles with some witty writing and biting comment.

The crypto satire is there but the three outlaws’ stories are much more relatable providing a warmth that is brutally countered by Hegel's cold mental games, and his use of machine gun.

Cold Wallet received is European Premiere at London Pigeon Shrine FrightFest, 26 August 2024.