Wintry woes for Alfredson

The Snowman (15)

Based on a Jo Nesbø novel, directed by Tomas Alfredson and starring Michael Fassbender; everything pointed to this being a tasty thriller.

Sadly, it won’t just be the plummeting temperatures that leave you feeling cold, with a glacial pace, strange storytelling and uneven acting among its avalanche of issues.

The Party (15)

This old-fashioned, dialogue-driven romp makes for engaging company.

Brilliant barbs and nasty natter are traded by a game cast, which includes Patricia Clarkson, Kristin Scott Thomas and Timothy Spall.

However, the lack of true resonance keeps it from being a sensational shindig you’ll never want to leave.

Happy Death Day (15)

The enticing Groundhog Day-meets-scream premise results in a nasty-but-fun little horror.

Jessica Rothe’s initially vacuous and arrogant lead evolves as her character becomes more infuriated and terrified.

And it’s little wonder as she repeatedly relives her own murder every day with more suspects than even Hercule Poirot could cope with.

But director Christopher Landon and writer Scott Lobdell struggle to fill the 95-minute running time; some scenes should’ve been cut and slasher flick tropes are overused.

Landon does, though, cleverly shoot previously seen locations and props from different angles, maintaining his ability to shock and surprise.