The Colony paints a bleak future for humankind. After another ice age engulfs the earth, survivors eke out a meager existence in underground locations. Food is scarce, any sign of illness requires quarantine or worse, and it’s always snowing in the icy outside world.

This sci-fi thriller makes us almost feel the frosty cold in our bones, thanks to cinematographer Pierce Gill’s magic touch. Credit also goes to other behind-the-scenes artists like production designer Aidan Leroux, art director Rory Cheyne, and set decorator Joe Susin. Writer/director Jeff Renfroe pulls their excellent work together to create a film that draws us into a dark and disturbing setting, then presents a suspenseful story involving believable characters we care about -- and some that horrify us.

Laurence Fishburne (Contagion) brings dignified authority to the role of Briggs, the leader of  Colony 7. When he receives a call for help from Colony 5, Briggs decides to risk the dangers involved in providing assistance to the neighboring group. Bill Paxton (Frailty) plays Mason, Briggs’ top security guy, who objects to this humanitarian plan. Paxton endows Mason with some very annoying traits, but that definitely adds to the suspense here. Kevin Zegers (Transamerica) exemplifies loyalty and reason in his portrayal of Sam, a young man Briggs rescued as a child. As Sam’s love interest, Charlotte Sullivan (Citizen Gangster) projects both beauty and strength of character. And Dru Viergever (Saw 3D: The Final Chapter) leaves us breathless with his bloodcurdling performance as our worst nightmare.

Ferocious attack sequences and chilling scenes of trudging through snow make The Colony hard to watch at times. But I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen for even one second! I was afraid to miss something -- for example, like our heroes trying to cross a decaying bridge without falling while being chased by creatures too horrible to name.

Although the ending disappointed me, this post-apocalyptic offering held my interest throughout – and I’m usually not a fan of the genre.   

WARNING: Be sure to take a sweater if you go to see this movie. No matter how hot it is outside, watching The Colony will probably make you feel like you need to bundle up.       

(Released by Image Entertainment; not rated by MPAA.)

For more information about The Colony, go to the Internet Movie Data Base or Rotten Tomatoes website.