In Cold Light represents a powerful and raw introduction into English cinema for French-Canadian director Maxime Giroux. Captured on gritty film stock, this visually captivating thriller delivers strong lead performances from Maika Monroe and Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur, portraying a strained father-daughter duo caught in life-threatening danger by ruthless gangsters. It’s a harrowing journey of deceit, flight, and endurance that unfolds across various settings, creating a cinematic experience that is both gripping and poignant. Despite some issues with pacing, the movie maintains its grip as a multi-layered plot unfurls to an unforeseen and thought-provoking climax.
The story unfolds in the small Canadian town of Ponoka, Alberta, where a drug dealer, high on drugs, loiters near a cliffside. Ava (Monroe) lazes in the grass, inhaling meth as she takes orders. She navigates aimlessly towards an unassuming suburban residence while under the influence. The drugs are exchanged discreetly with customers engaged in various stages of partying, oblivious to the approaching police officers sneaking up to the front door. Despite her attempts to flee during the raid, Ava is swiftly captured after breaking through an upper-story window.
A Dark Odyssey
Two years have passed, and Ava, now gaunt and filled with anger, is released from prison. Tom (Jesse Irving), her twin brother, comes to pick her up, bringing significant news. However, upon their arrival at their father’s house, Ava reacts indifferently to the news. Will (Troy Kotsur), a former rodeo champion, gives Tom a quick hug before handing over instructions: Ava must gather her belongings and leave without delay.
Although he hasn’t entirely severed connections, Ava continues to work as a cleaner at the well-known Ponoka Stampede, under the watchful gaze of her former associate Will. She still yearns for her past success and is tasked with duties like collecting horse manure and feeding livestock. Meanwhile, Tom arrives to escort Ava to a delayed appointment; it transpires that drug dealing runs in the family, an unsavory truth the twins have concealed from their father all this time. And Ava desires to rejoin the operation.
In the works of Giroux, particularly “Felix and Meira” and “The Great Darkened Days”, the visual storytelling is striking and immersive. The narrative unfolds primarily through Ava’s eyes, and the film’s early scenes are tinged with her intoxicated state, creating a dreamlike atmosphere with intense lighting and erratic camera work. Giroux skillfully captures Ava’s emotions on her face, as Monroe portrays Ava’s feelings powerfully and openly, leaving little room for misinterpretation. The audience can easily discern Ava’s distress and apathy before fear becomes her constant expression.
Ava’s perspective shifts drastically upon encountering shockingly violent events that disrupt her homecoming. Now, she finds herself as a hunted creature evading formidable and merciless enemies. Giroux manipulates the lighting to create an eerie atmosphere around Ava, using intense colors like red, green, and blue. She’s forced to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, yet cannot abandon the family that doubts her. Those working against Ava’s survival may also target those close to her. An unforeseen twist complicates her struggle for existence and makes her situation even more dire. Ava must uncover the motivation behind her relentless pursuit, safeguard those she cherishes, and find a way to counter an adversary that seems invincible.
Title “In Cold Light” delves into the chasm that caused Ava’s estrangement from her father, a journey filled with raw emotion. Without giving away any plot points, this story is deeply intense and thought-provoking. The script by Patrick Whistler carries significant weight, revealing serious matters that may take years of therapy to uncover under intense pressure. Ava’s tumultuous past comes back to haunt everyone at an inopportune moment. Faced with danger, she must evade her pursuers and grapple with the guilt that has held her captive since childhood. Beneath the surface, there is a storm brewing that Ava needs to confront while dodging both bullets and fists.
In this portrayal, Monroe, who gained fame from chilling horror films like “It Follows” and “Longlegs,” demonstrates a broad acting talent. Her radiant beauty fades into the gritty character of Ava, a woman at her lowest ebb. However, Ava is far from weak; she’s tough, resilient, and ready to stand her ground. The antagonists in “In Cold Light” discover the hard way about Ava’s indomitable spirit. Monroe excels in the action scenes, but it’s the emotional exchanges between Ava and her father that truly shine in this film.
Monroe and Kotsur are captivating in crucial moments of the story. They use sign language to convey their emotions, and their physical interactions are as intense as any battle scene. Unbeknownst to Will, his children have been keeping secrets from him. Their shared history of pain has fostered a culture of deception. When Will learns the harsh truths about his children, it’s like a missile hitting him. He’s left reeling and struggling to process the shocking revelations. With no time to absorb the bombshells, Will finds himself in a desperate situation where he must trust Ava or face dire consequences.
In the movie In Cold Light, Giroux intersperses dream sequences into the storyline, which aren’t clearly understood until the climax. These sequences are creatively executed and play a significant role, but they occasionally disrupt the tension at inconvenient moments. This technique, coupled with Giroux’s frequent focus on Monroe for extended scenes, undeniably slows down the pace of the film. However, despite these pacing issues, you never find yourself losing interest in the storyline or characters. The movie demands a bit of patience to fully grasp Giroux’s perspective, but it is rewarded with an ending that packs a powerful emotional punch.
Title “In Cold Light” is a collaboration between Périphéria and Lithium Studios. This captivating piece first graced the screens during the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival as a Spotlight Narrative, and it’s set for a theatrical release later this year, courtesy of XYZ Films and Saban Films.
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2025-06-11 02:07