Coldwater review: Andrew Lincoln-led psychological thriller will make you choke

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

It’s difficult to think of a character who feels more deeply pitiful than Andrew Lincoln’s John in the very first episode of Coldwater.

He’s a shy and reserved father of two who unfortunately seems to draw the wrong kind of people into his life. He just wants a quiet life and to avoid problems, while his wife, Fiona (Indira Varma), is the main breadwinner.

Moving to the peaceful village of Coldwater feels like a new beginning. They’re warmly welcomed by their religious neighbors, Tommy (Ewen Bremner) and Rebecca (Eve Myles), who quickly invite them into the community. Although things aren’t perfect with Fiona, and their intimacy is still a struggle, it’s a positive step forward.

It was all going so well, but then he had a run-in with a local troublemaker at the liquor store, and things quickly spiraled. Honestly, it seems like John can’t catch a break – trouble just finds him wherever he goes. It’s frustrating to watch, because it feels like he’s constantly surrounded by people trying to cause him problems.

After a local troublemaker, Angus, attacks John while they’re out running one night, a series of unfortunate events lead to Angus’s death, leaving John traumatized and under the care of his new friend, Tommy. Or so it seems. The real threat turns out to be someone much more unexpected: a smiling man in a sweater with a disturbing fascination with serial killers.

The event sparks a power struggle between Tommy and John, leading to a battle of wills as they each try to control the other. Ewan Bremner delivers a brilliantly unsettling performance as Tommy – the women around him instantly sense something is off, but the men fail to notice, chalking it up to his personality.

Andrew Lincoln delivers a fantastic performance as John, a man who feels defeated and desperately needs a victory, any victory at all. Viewers familiar with Lincoln’s role as the strong leader Rick Grimes in *The Walking Dead* will recognize his capability, but John is a much more subdued and broken character – he seems unable to find that inner strength, weighed down by depression and past disappointments.

Psychological thrillers often stumble when characters make illogical choices or rely on predictable tropes – like ignoring the police, exploring dangerous areas, or opening ominous doors. However, in *Coldwater*, David Ireland avoids this pitfall, carefully crafting every detail to convincingly push his quiet protagonist, John, into an increasingly difficult situation.

I also admire the women in the show and how well they balance the men. Fiona, for example, is the one who earns the money and is incredibly strong-minded – she doesn’t suffer fools and quickly sees through dishonesty. She doesn’t trust Tommy from the start, and he definitely feels that, which keeps him wary. This also explains why she gets increasingly annoyed with her husband, who seems happy to follow anyone’s lead, regardless of who it is.

Eve Myles is fantastic as the seemingly perfect pastor, a character loved by all. She’s warm and welcoming, but hints suggest a secret, darker side. The fact that she isn’t actually Christian – openly telling Fiona she’s an atheist – highlights just how skilled she is at deception, a talent that will likely be important later on.

Coldwater isn’t perfect – occasionally it veers into unbelievable territory or feels a bit too over-the-top. However, it always manages to regain its footing, making it a show that quickly becomes addictive and leaves you wanting to see what happens next.

Coldwater is a gripping thriller that immediately pulls you in and doesn’t let up until the very last moment.

Coldwater is available now on ITVX.

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2025-09-15 01:04