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Drama thriller

Cold Moon (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Cold Moon (2017) movie poster

Cold Moon is a 2017 drama thriller starring Candy Clark as Evelyn Larkin, Chester Rushing and Sara Catherine Bellamy. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and was made on a reported $3.2 million budget. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
73%
Echo Score
53
budget
$3.2M
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Cold Moon (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$3.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cold Moon About?

The premise of Cold Moon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the quiet Southern town of Raven's Peak, the Larkin family faces a new wave of unsettling events. Strange occurrences plague the community, including traffic lights behaving erratically, spectral figures appearing, and graves inexplicably opening in the town cemetery. As these eerie omens escalate, the family must confront a growing sense of dread and uncover the source of the disturbances before they are consumed by the darkness.

Cold Moon Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • astronomical object in title
  • vengeance
  • nightmare
  • river
  • memory
  • supernatural power
  • father daughter relationship
  • ruminating
  • departure
  • death
  • sheriff
  • secret
+24 more
  • city
  • country
  • road
  • banker
  • water
  • murder
  • boat
  • corpse
  • disappearance
  • black water
  • assailant
  • sunk
  • sea
  • body
  • granddaughter
  • dark
  • florida
  • stranger
  • night
  • darkness
  • cold
  • babylon
  • moon
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

Cold Moon Cast & Characters

Candy Clark leads the cast as Evelyn Larkin, with Chester Rushing as Jerry Larkin and Sara Catherine Bellamy as Margaret Larkin.

Also Starring in Cold Moon

· 8 more
Ratings

Cold Moon Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Cold Moon 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

53 /100

Cold Moon Echo Score Breakdown

The echo score reflects a film with commendable visual craft but uneven narrative and character development. Critics appreciated the well-executed special effects and pulpy pacing, yet many noted a predictable plot and thin emotional connections. User feedback highlighted early reveals that eroded suspense and frustrated character motivations. While the atmosphere offers occasional chills, the inconsistent storytelling and lukewarm performances limit its overall impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, Cold Moon offers solid special effects and evocative Southern Gothic visuals. Critics noted the unsettling snake-infested imagery and effective production design that evoke a swampy atmosphere. However, some found the film lacking a cohesive visual tone and stylistic consistency. Overall, the execution of practical effects serves the mood despite uneven stylistic choices.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film delivers mixed performances that hinder emotional engagement. The lead actors bring moments of intensity, but character arcs remain underdeveloped and lack depth. Reviewers often mentioned frustration with implausible motivations and thin relational dynamics. As a result, the emotional resonance falls short despite occasional compelling moments.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, Cold Moon is hampered by predictable plotting and uneven suspense. Early disclosure of key twists undermines intrigue, while pulpy pacing offers brief engagement. Critics acknowledged moments of breakout tension but also noted lapses in coherence and logic. Consequently, the narrative fails to sustain engagement throughout its runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film employs an effective blend of sound cues and atmospheric design. The soundtrack and jump scares create occasional jolts, and the production design recalls vintage horror aesthetics. Yet some viewers found the audio-visual cohesion inconsistent and the sound design underutilized. Overall, the sensory elements contribute to mood with intermittent impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, Cold Moon offers limited replay value due to its predictable structure and thin character development. While some pulpy moments and jump scares may warrant a second viewing, the lack of sustained narrative surprises and emotional depth diminishes lasting appeal. In sum, the film’s intermittent thrills are unlikely to inspire frequent rewatching.

Plot

Cold Moon Plot Summary

What happens in Cold Moon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the quaint town of Babylon, Florida, life takes a dark turn when Margaret Larkin (Sara Catherine Bellamy), a sweet sixteen-year-old girl, mysteriously vanishes. The community’s sense of security is shattered as despair settles over the residents when her lifeless body is discovered in the river, cruelly bound to her bicycle. This shocking revelation unveils a deep undercurrent of fear within the town, provoking a frantic search for the person responsible for this heinous crime.

Full summary

The whole story of Cold Moon, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Cold Moon Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

COLD MOON TRAILER 1
  • Trailer COLD MOON | Trailer #2 | 2017 Horror
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Cold Moon?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragic event triggers the main events in 'Cold Moon'?

Cars

Cars in Cold Moon

8 cars on screen, including the Can-Am Outlander and the 2009 GMC Sierra.

All 8 cars
  • Can-Am Outlander in Cold Moon Can-Am Outlander Important role
  • 2009 GMC Sierra in Cold Moon 2009 GMC Sierra Important role
  • Morgan-Olson Route Star in Cold Moon Morgan-Olson Route Star Important role
  • 1997 Ford Econoline in Cold Moon 1997 Ford Econoline Minor role
Details

Cold Moon Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Холодная Луна” and “콜드 문”.

Also known as
  • Холодная Луна
  • 콜드 문
  • Xác Chết Đêm Trăng

Seen Cold Moon?

FAQ

Cold Moon FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Cold Moon, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cold Moon?

Cold Moon runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Cold Moon released?

Cold Moon was released on October 6, 2017.

Who is in the cast of Cold Moon?

Cold Moon stars Candy Clark as Evelyn Larkin, Chester Rushing as Jerry Larkin and Sara Catherine Bellamy as Margaret Larkin, among 12 credited actors.

What was the budget of Cold Moon?

Cold Moon had a reported budget of $3.2 million.

How is Cold Moon rated?

Cold Moon has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48% on TMDB and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Cold Moon have a post-credit scene?

No. Cold Moon has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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