In Cold Light

Play trailer

In Cold Light

R

Jan 2026

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Ava is trapped. Like a bull in a bucking chute, seconds before exploding onto the rodeo stage. She is hunted. Pursued by those who killed her brother, pursued by her own demons. Ava needs to make a choice. To either save herself and fight another day or to push and become the woman she wishes she could be.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

While it offers some noteworthy visual flair, In Cold Light's story gets buried under implausible twists, worn out genre beats, and a cast that's never given the chance to shine.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Travers

The Travers Take

Jan 23

2/4

Maika Monroe plays a drug dealer facing off with her rodeo champ dad Troy Kotsur in a by-the-numbers thriller minus any real thrills. It’s the hints of a better film—fiercer, funnier, more attuned to a woman’s point of view—that nag at you.

Go to Full Review

Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

Jan 23

A lot of thrillers are exciting but empty. 'In Cold Light' is thrilling but very full in unexpected and complicated ways.

Go to Full Review

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Jan 22

2/5

In Cold Light is far better constructed and executed than its generic, straight-to-video title might imply, but it’s too monotonous – in the literal meaning of the word – to reach its aspirations or to really use its cast.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

8h

1.5/4

...a lackluster misfire that squanders the good will afforded by its appealing premise.

Go to Full Review

Andrew Parker

The Gate

3d

7/10

The script from Patrick Whistler is a standard crime melodrama, but Giroux brings it to vibrant life at every turn.

Go to Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

4d

3/5

In Cold Light is a moody thriller that’s a little light on memorable situations but at a tight 93 minutes, and the narrative pedal to the metal, it delivers enough style to transcend its pulpy roots

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Mr Hollywood

Jan 25

Gritty looking. Was entertaining. It doesn’t shy away from violence. If you don’t mind that in movies then you’ll enjoy it

See more

Robert W

Jan 24

One of the worst movies I’ve seen in awhile.

See more

Slick R

@SlickReviewer 16h

It was just OK. The ending was disappointing. That was really the best they could think up? Talk about lazy writing.

See more

Jim E

1d

Great acting by all, enjoyed the story line, Helen Hunt only played a small part near the end of the film.

See more

Cheriel R.

@Cheriel27 3d

Though Maika Monroe's performance is great, the film's story and pacing eventually make you stop caring what happens next or how it ends.

See more

Les N

@Vegas628 3d

Nonstop for the first hour! Troy Kotsur seems to play the same role each time?

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Maxime Giroux

Director

Maika Monroe

Ava Bly

Troy Kotsur

Will Bly

Helen Hunt

Claire

Allan Hawco

Bob Whyte

Jesse Irving

Tom Bly

In Cold Light: Extended Preview

9:59

In Cold Light: Exclusive Clip - I Can Fix This

1:15

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Ava is trapped. Like a bull in a bucking chute, seconds before exploding onto the rodeo stage. She is hunted. Pursued by those who killed her brother, pursued by her own demons. Ava needs to make a choice. To either save herself and fight another day or to push and become the woman she wishes she could be.

Director: Maxime Giroux
Producer: Yanick Létourneau, Mike MacMillan
Screenwriter: Patrick Whistler
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: Périphéria, Lithium Studios
Rating: R (Violence/Bloody Images|Some Drug Material|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 24, 2026
Runtime: 1h 36m

Most Popular at Home Now