In Cold Light DVD Review (Sony Pictures)

In Cold Light is a 2025 crime film directed by Maxime Giroux (Felix and Meira, Demain, Jo for Jonathan, The Great Darkened Days, Plan B, and Norbourg). It was written by Patrick Whistler (Dreamland, Cardinal, Creeped Out, and Stranger in Town). It was executive produced by Todd Brown (Yakuza Princess, The Void, Baskin, Timecrimes, The Raid franchise, The ABCs of Death franchise, Vivarium, and Mandy). Fresh out of prison, Ava Bly (played by: Maika Monroe from Longlegs, The Guest, It Follows, Independence Day: Resurgence, Honey Boy, and God Is a Bullet) sets out to take back control of her once-thriving drug operation. Her plans implode when she’s framed for a killing while on a job that puts a target on her back from the corrupt police and the city’s ruthless crime boss Claire (played by: Helen Hunt from As Good as It Gets, Twister, Mad About You, Kiss of Death, Trancers franchise, Pay It Forward, and Mr. Saturday Night). Caught in a dangerous criminal underworld even she can’t navigate, Ava is forced to confront the ghosts of her past which includes old wounds from her father Will Bly (played by: Troy Kotsur from CODA, The Number 23, Primate, and Curb Your Enthusiasm). She can’t trust anyone and she’s fleeing for her life as her fight for survival becomes a reckoning!!!! I am really surprised that In Cold Light with upcoming star Maika Monroe and multiple Oscar winners had a little theatrical run but it so brief that almost no one remembers it. It basically got dumped into the direct to video world without much of a push at all. The script has it all which includes crime, tension, drama, action, and nerve racking tension. It’s directed by Maxime Giroux, I’m really familiar with his previous work but this was a nice first impression from the French Canadian. The beautiful Maika Monroe is amazing as the unlucky Ava Bly. She’s just been released for a crime but she wants to get right back into the game. Her brother Tom Bly (played by: Jesse Irving from Wu Assassins, Arrow, and Hell Below) tries to convince her to step away but she won’t listen. It really hypes Ava up as a major drug lord in her community but it doesn’t show much of that myth when she’s back. It keeps her past more of an unknown. She has a complicated relationship with her father which makes things worse. Oscar winner Helen Hunt is local drug kingpin Claire. She doesn’t take kindly of the return of the small time criminal. She quickly let’s her know who runs this town now. It starts a bloody feud that won’t end well for anyone. Hunt is top notch as the unexpected villain. I’ve never seen this type of role from the skilled actress. It’s a smaller role but it’s very important to this. Oscar winner Troy Kotsur shows up as washed up rodeo cowboy Will Bly. He still blames Ava for the past and he still hasn’t forgiven her. He’s not loyal at all despite her trying to make things right. As always, he’s excellent because I honestly hated his character but that’s how it was played. The rest of the supporting cast includes Allan Hawco (Jack Ryan), Patrick Sabongui (The Flash), David Haysom (Damnation), Noah Parker (Terror Train), Jessica Abruzzese (Jack Ryan), Michael Hearn (Beau Is Afraid), Don Bland (Santa’s Slay), and Warona Setshwaelo (Death Wish). It has quality performances all over. This definitely requires a little patience because it does drag a little at times. In Cold Light is more of a slow burn but it’s worth the wait. It lets everything build up to it’s thrilling finish. It’s very stylish and it’s all about that gritty atmosphere. It teases this dangerous universe but it doesn’t reveal it all. It’s not action packed but it does have it’s more violent scenarios. It’s honestly better than reputation, it’s a crime drama that delivers on almost everything you would expect from the sub-genre. It’s biggest flaw is the forced ending, I wasn’t feeling it at all. It kinda defeats the whole purpose and drive of In Cold Light. Regardless, it’s still worth checking out sometime besides that. It’s currently streaming on Hulu right now!!!! Let’s discuss this standard definition presentation from Sony Pictures in association with Saban Films! This (2.15:1) Anamorphic Widescreen transfer looks great for being only a DVD especially considering it’s an independent production. In Cold Light has a fantastic gritty noir style to it with some slick cinematography. It comes off bigger than what it actually is. It has an English 5.1 Dolby Digital track on the disc. It does have it’s brutal and violent scenes but mainly the score pops out the most when it comes to the audio. All of the dialogue is crisp, the suspense is elevated, and the music has a huge boost to it. It has English SDH and French subtitles. There’s no bonus material here. This is a professionally made on demand DVD-R home video release. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!