Alright, fellow tapeheads, dim the lights, maybe adjust the tracking slightly in your mind's eye, because tonight we're pulling a real gem from the dusty shelves of the mid-90s: Wallace Wolodarsky's directorial debut, Coldblooded (1995). Now, picture this: you're scanning the aisles of your local Video Palace, maybe Blockbuster if you were lucky, and you spot a familiar face on a box cover, but something's... off. It's Jason Priestley, Mr. Beverly Hills, 90210 himself, looking steely-eyed and holding a silenced pistol. Intrigued? You bet I was. I distinctly remember grabbing this one, thinking it had to be some kind of bizarre misprint or a desperate attempt to cash in. What I found instead was one of the sharpest, funniest, and most unexpectedly cool little thrillers of the decade.
From Bookie to Bullet-Man
The setup is beautifully simple, almost mundane, which is part of its charm. Cosmo Reif (Jason Priestley) is a lowly bookie, living in the basement of a retirement home, seemingly content with his quiet, unremarkable life. He’s meticulous, focused, and utterly detached. When a vacancy unexpectedly opens up in the enforcement branch of the mob operation he works for (read: someone needs killing), his handler Steve (Peter Riegert, perfectly cast as the seen-it-all mentor) sees potential in Cosmo’s unnervingly calm demeanor. What follows is Cosmo's deadpan journey into the world of professional assassination, treated less like a descent into darkness and more like learning any other skilled trade.
This isn't your typical explosive 90s action flick. Don't expect massive Michael Bay-esque fireballs or elaborate martial arts duels. Coldblooded operates on a different frequency entirely. Its tension comes from the chillingly casual way it depicts violence, juxtaposed with Cosmo's almost innocent approach to mastering his deadly new profession. Remember those squibs they used back then, making bullet hits look so visceral and messy? Here, the violence is often swift, precise, and almost anti-climactic, which somehow makes it even more disturbing and darkly funny. It’s the process that fascinates – the meticulous planning, the choice of weapon, the calm execution.
Brandon Walsh Packs Heat
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Jason Priestley. At the absolute height of his teen idol fame, taking this role was a gutsy move, and boy, does it pay off. He sheds the earnest charm of Brandon Walsh completely, delivering a performance of masterful understatement. Cosmo isn't evil; he's just... amoral, perhaps? He approaches killing with the same focused dedication he might apply to fixing a leaky faucet. There’s a blankness in his eyes, a lack of emotional response that’s both hilarious and deeply unsettling. You keep waiting for the mask to slip, for the 90210 earnestness to peek through, but it never does. It’s a genuinely surprising and effective piece of against-type casting that anchors the entire film. Reportedly, Priestley actively sought out roles like this to break away from the teen drama mold, and Coldblooded proves he had the chops.
He's backed by a fantastic supporting cast. Peter Riegert, a familiar face from classics like Animal House (1978) and the wonderful Local Hero (1983), is brilliant as Steve, the weary veteran hitman who takes Cosmo under his wing. Their scenes together, discussing the finer points of murder like they’re talking about golf swings, are pure gold. And then there's Kimberly Williams-Paisley (credited as Kimberly Williams here, pre-Paisley!), fresh off Father of the Bride (1991), as Jasmine, the bubbly yoga instructor who catches Cosmo's eye. Her infectious warmth provides the perfect contrast to Cosmo’s icy reserve, creating a bizarrely sweet romantic subplot amidst the mayhem. Keep an eye out too for a typically intense cameo from the great Robert Loggia as the imposing mob boss.
Low Budget, High Style
Directed by Wallace Wolodarsky, who cut his teeth writing for The Simpsons (you can feel some of that deadpan, observational humor here), Coldblooded was made on a shoestring budget – reportedly around $1 million. But rather than feeling cheap, it feels lean and focused. Filmed primarily in Los Angeles, Wolodarsky uses the limitations to his advantage, concentrating on character, dialogue, and that specific, off-kilter tone. Its blend of mundane detail and sudden violence led some wags back in the day to whisper about uncredited input from a certain Mr. Quentin Tarantino, especially after its Sundance Film Festival premiere, though that’s likely just video store folklore fueled by the film's cool confidence and sharp script.
The film didn't exactly set the box office on fire upon release – it was perhaps too quirky, too dark for mainstream audiences expecting a typical Priestley vehicle. But oh, how it thrived on VHS and cable. This was prime "hidden gem" territory, the kind of movie you'd recommend to friends with a knowing wink, saying, "Trust me on this one." It developed a deserved cult following among those who appreciated its dark humor and Priestley's audacious performance.
The Verdict
Coldblooded is a fantastic example of 90s indie filmmaking hitting a sweet spot. It's smart, stylish, darkly funny, and anchored by a career-best performance from an actor bravely stepping outside his comfort zone. It lacks the pyrotechnics of bigger budget fare, but its unique tone and memorable characters lodge it firmly in the brain. It doesn't rely on computer-generated trickery; its impact comes from sharp writing, confident direction, and Priestley’s chillingly blank stare.
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Why? For its brilliant against-type casting, razor-sharp script, perfect deadpan tone, and its status as a truly underrated cult classic from the golden age of video rentals. It's a small film that punches well above its weight, delivering a unique blend of thriller and dark comedy that still feels fresh.
Final Thought: Forget the Peach Pit – this is proof that sometimes, the nice guy next door is the one you really need to watch out for, especially when he starts practicing his aim. A must-find for any fan of 90s crime flicks with a twist.