In Cold Light

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In Cold Light

R

Jan 2026

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

37 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

4d

Despite some stylish visual flourishes, the material offers more talk than action without anything new to say.

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Monica Reid

Far Out Magazine

4d

3/5

The dynamic, intense story holds the attention in spite of the lengthy, sometimes repetitive chase scenes and subdued dialogue.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Mar 4

2.5/5

Maika Monroe is my new favorite actress, so I wasn't thrilled that noirish drama "In Cold Light," about an Alberta drug dealer, doesn't live up to her presence in this sans-thrills, by-the-numbers thriller.

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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

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Robert W

Jan 24

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

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Richard B

@Ricardo197025 2d

Not worth the watch. Dull,boring and fails to capture my attention.No translation for the sign language. Most exciting part of the movie is the dramatic sounds.

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Slick R

@SlickReviewer Mar 2

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

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Jim E

@RT62503242 Mar 1

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

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Cheriel R.

@Cheriel27 Feb 28

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.

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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

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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

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