Watch Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey is a 2013 independent comedy-drama directed by Will Slocombe. Set in Pasadena, California, the film follows the story of the Turner family, a dysfunctional group who reunite for Thanksgiving after several years of estrangement. A darkly comic exploration of familial dysfunction and the struggles of addiction, the film features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Alicia Witt, Cheryl Hines, and Sonya Walger.

The film opens with an introduction to the members of the Turner family. At the center of the story is Poppy (Alicia Witt), a recovering alcoholic who has hit rock bottom after a recent divorce. She decides to leave her rehab center to travel home for Thanksgiving, determined to reconnect with her family. Her parents, Jim (Peter Bogdanovich) and Bonnie (Victoria Tennant), are overbearing and judgmental, with Jim dealing with his own addiction to painkillers. Her siblings, Lindsay (Sonya Walger) and Jacob (Ashton Holmes), also have their own issues to contend with, including infidelity and a struggle with mental illness. As the family comes together for the holiday, tensions quickly rise and long-buried secrets are brought to the surface.

The film is structured around the four days that the Turners spend together over the holiday weekend. The dysfunction of the family is apparent from the outset, and tensions quickly boil over as the siblings argue and bicker with one another. Poppy is determined to bring her family together and heal old wounds, but her attempts at reconciliation are met with resistance from her family members. Meanwhile, Jim and Bonnie struggle to manage their own addictions and the chaos of their dysfunctional family.

As the days pass, the family begins to unravel. Lindsay is dealing with her own infidelity, while Jacob's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Poppy struggles to maintain her sobriety in the face of her family's dysfunction, and her efforts to bring her family together are consistently thwarted. The Turners are a family that is deeply flawed and unable to communicate effectively, and their holiday together quickly becomes a disaster.

Despite the chaos, Cold Turkey is ultimately a film about hope and redemption. As the family confronts their demons and secrets are revealed, they are forced to face their own shortcomings and learn to communicate with one another. While the Turners may never be a perfect family, they are able to find a measure of healing and connection over the course of the holiday weekend.

The film is anchored by strong performances from its ensemble cast. Alicia Witt is particularly impressive as Poppy, embodying the character's mix of vulnerability and determination. Cheryl Hines also shines in her role as Poppy's therapist, providing some of the film's funniest moments. Overall, the cast works well together to create an authentic portrayal of a dysfunctional family.

The cinematography is also noteworthy, with the film's muted color palette and moody lighting contributing to its overall tone. The film's score is also well crafted, with a mix of indie rock tracks and somber piano pieces helping to set the mood.

Cold Turkey is a well-crafted film that explores the complexities of family dynamics and addiction. While it may be too dark for some viewers, those who are able to appreciate its dark sense of humor will find a lot to admire here. The film is ultimately a story of hope and redemption, and while it may not offer easy answers, it does offer a measure of catharsis for its characters and its audience alike.

Cold Turkey is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6 and a MetaScore of 42.