Though American horror seems to be content to wallow in remakes or re-imaginings, the rest of the world has been producing some of the best examples of the genre. In particular, European entries have been notable of late, including the sublime and brilliant Let the Right One In, Room 205, and now this slasher entry from the Norwegians entitled Cold Prey. We're a couple of years behind the curve in getting this on video, but it's finally made its way to our store shelves.

Cold Prey involves five friends embarking on a ski trip, determined to find a place away from the usual holiday enthusiasts who are content to ride the lifts along with the rest of the public. Eirik (Tomas Alf Larsen) and his companion, Jannicke (Ingrid Bolso Berdal), have found a secluded spot in which to play. Accompanied by Morten Tobias (Rolf Kristian Larsen), and new couple Ingunn (Viktoria Winge) and Mikal (Endre Martin Midtstigen), they find a rear mountain slope with enough untouched powder to give the illusion of their own playground. All is fun and games until Morten Tobias takes a nasty spill, resulting in a compound fracture.

Unable to take him to safety, the five adventurers come across an abandoned ski lodge where Jannicke is able to field-dress Morten Tobias' wounds, and for the rest to contemplate their best course of action. With Morten Tobias stabilized, and in good spirits thanks to some painkillers and 35-year-old brandy, the group settles in for the night. There are the usual conflicts here, with Morten Tobias secretly pining for one of the girls, Ingunn and Mikal facing the usual new-relationship conflicts, and Jannicke and Eirik feeling their way around real commitment.

The proceedings take a lethal turn when a strange figure turns up, terrorizing the friends with his handy pick-axe. Even as Eirik heads towards civilization to help the injured Morten Tobias, the remaining skiers must find a way to survive as the mystery man tracks them through the lodge.

The proceedings take a lethal turn when a strange figure turns up, terrorizing the friends with his handy pick-axe. Even as Eirik heads towards civilization to help the injured Morten Tobias, the remaining skiers must find a way to survive as the mystery man tracks them through the lodge.

Cold Prey, first of all, is a beautiful film. The mountainous scenery and pure snow make for a great backdrop to a horror film. The isolation of the group plays well, here, and the actors are, to a one, convincing in their roles. Though the characters will occasionally make a foolish choice, they understand their actions, and so does the audience. No idiot teenagers here, only young adults struggling with a potentially deadly foe.

Director Roar Uthaug does a fine job of setting a tone and sticking with it, and there are a few scenes that are genuinely thrilling to behold. Uthaug is clearly a student of the slasher, and knows what works and what doesn't, providing some fine scares while avoiding the usual character pitfalls that plague this sort of movie.

There are really two flaws with the film. The first is the villain. Anyone who's ever seen a horror film is going to know who the antagonist is, even with the face covered in furs and snow goggles. The pick-axe is a fine weapon, and it works pretty well here, but there's not much off the beaten path in terms of kills or gore. The other big flaw is that, although Cold Prey is a great example of the slasher genre, done well, that's all there is to see here. There's nothing terribly new or different to be found in the 97-minute run time, not that there's anything wrong with that. It works well, moves along at a nice pace, has some great moments, and maintains its creepy tone, throughout.

Though there's nothing wrong with this film, and if you are a slasher fan, it's certainly going to deliver for you, but it exists within the boundaries of that genre without seeming too concerned with pushing the boundaries. It doesn't adhere to the rules of the slasher in the same manner that a Halloween sequel will, and the first kill in particular is a bit out-of-the-norm, but it's not blazing trails, or attempting to, for that matter. Cold Prey is an above-average slasher, with some believable characters, a great setting and some fun moments. As long as you're not looking for more, you'll be perfectly happy with it.