Fresh out of prison, Ava (Maika Monroe) strives to reclaim her former drug operation in a city buzzing with the chaotic energy of an urban rodeo. Her plans are violently derailed when she witnesses her brother's brutal murder, forcing her to flee for her life through a hostile landscape where danger lurks around every corner. Shot in nearly real-time, this taut thriller follows Ava's increasingly desperate attempts to survive long enough to uncover the truth behind her brother's killing, even as the culprits close in. 

Director Maxime Giroux crafts a visually stunning crime drama with a distinctive vintage aesthetic that perfectly complements the film's gritty narrative. Monroe delivers a raw, physical performance that captures Ava's vulnerability and fierce determination, while Troy Kotsur and Helen Hunt round out the stellar cast with nuanced supporting roles. What sets In Cold Light apart from standard crime thrillers is Giroux's assured command of tone and pacing, creating a palpable tension that never relents. The film's stylish visuals and atmospheric sound design transform its urban setting into a character in its own right — beautiful, dangerous and unpredictable. An intelligent, visually striking thriller that eschews genre conventions in favor of psychological depth and artistic vision, it offers a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll.—Jarod Neece

Maxime Giroux