Crypto has been the villain in many people’s stories. In an economic crisis, with the rich getting richer, one unfortunate financial setback could mean catastrophe for the average middle-class or low-income household. Crypto has been instrumental in creating a whirlwind situation where well-meaning people try to get ahead, risking everything in return. Cold Wallet

delves into the consequences of turning to crypto as a small group of people seek out the man who put them in a hole while he hides away like a coward.
Cold Wallet Is Focused On The Characters’ Actions

The Tech Talk Doesn’t Detract

Raúl Castillo plays Billy, a man who invests in a cryptocurrency called Tulip to make enough money to buy a house and improve his relationship with his daughter. Everything is going well until the sudden death of its founder, Charles Hegel (Josh Brener), which also affects his Reddit friends, Dom (Tony Cavalero), and Eva (Melonie Diaz). Eva reveals that Hegel is, in fact, alive but hiding in his mansion nearby. Against better judgment and spurred by desperation, the trio opts to find Hegel and attempt to get their money back. However, the characters are ordinary people who aren’t equipped to take on a manipulative man who lines his pockets with people’s hopes and dreams.

The film boasts a competent cast, but the real draw is Raúl Castillo.

The film does have a fair bit of tech talk, but the narrative is about people and the lines they will cross to get what they believe they are owed. Capitalism is the root of many evils and Cold Wallet, in its way, is tackling this central theme through a propulsive, tightly wound thriller movie. The film is a means of education, cautioning people not to believe in quick, easy money made up of zeroes and ones, especially when promised by tech bros living in an entirely different echelon of life.
However, the script withholds from being overtly preachy or judgmental, opting for a subtle amount of dark humor that cuts through the tension. Cutter Hodierne’s film embraces and evokes its influence through a thrilling directing style, making it a fun watch. But that can only go so far without a solid script and cast. Luckily, Cold Wallet has both.
Raúl Castillo Is The Biggest Draw

The Rest Of Cold Wallet’s Cast Is Equally Good

Cold Wallet boasts a competent cast, but the real draw is Raúl Castillo. He is one of those actors who has been grinding these past few years. You recognize his face and distinct voice from various projects, but in Cold Wallet, he is finally taking his rightful place as a lead. He is so compelling to watch as he plays someone who is trying, who makes an honest mistake, and Castillo navigates the ups and downs of Billy’s mood effectively, making him an easy character to root for, but also be wary of.
Diaz and Cavalero are equally impressive, making the trio feel authentic and relatable. It would be easy to tell a story about their fumblings to get their money back without focusing too much on the central antagonist, but Josh Brener’s take on Hegel is as captivating as Castillo’s portrayal of the common man.

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Hegel’s distaste for the poor and Billy’s idealism are at odds with each other, making for a compelling showdown as we watch Hegel play with the trio and their heightened emotional state. There is a tremendous amount of intrigue about how this is all going to go down and how these three see this being resolved, especially considering how much money is at stake and how much it can change their lives if they opt for a different path.
The script alone is enough to warrant checking out Cold Wallet, but what truly sells it is the combined efforts of the cast, atmospheric cinematography, a propulsive score, and effective directing. Cold Wallet succeeds at getting us to feel the heat of the situation, all while emphasizing the cold, hard reality that awaits our protagonists. It’s a chilling reminder of how money can turn the purest of hearts and be a huge motivator for the most corrupt among us.
Cold Wallet is now playing in theaters and is available on digital.

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Cold Wallet

8/10

Release Date

March 8, 2024

Pros & Cons

Raul Castillo and the core cast are fantastic
The film really puts us in the heat of the situation with directional choices and atmosphere
Hegel and Billy being at odds makes for a compelling personal arc