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Action thriller

In Cold Light (2026): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

In Cold Light (2026) movie poster

In Cold Light is a 2026 action thriller directed by Maxime Giroux, starring Maika Monroe as Ava, Helen Hunt and Patrick Sabongui. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Critics gave it 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic. Stream it on Hulu, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Rotten Tomatoes
56%
Echo Score
33
Metascore
49
In Cold Light (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Maxime Giroux
Genres
Action , Crime , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is In Cold Light About?

The premise of In Cold Light without spoilers.

Fresh from prison, Ava (Maika Monroe) is determined to rebuild the drug empire she once ruled. As she works to reclaim her operation, she is suddenly framed for a murder, drawing the ire of both law enforcement and the city’s ruthless crime boss (Helen Hunt). With a bounty on her head, Ava must outwit both enemies while fighting to survive and regain control.

Where to watch

Where to Watch In Cold Light

Stream it on Hulu, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

In Cold Light Cast & Characters

Maika Monroe leads the cast as Ava, with Helen Hunt as Claire and Patrick Sabongui as Sef. Directed by Maxime Giroux; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in In Cold Light

· 16 more
Ratings

In Cold Light Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave In Cold Light 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 33/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

33 /100

In Cold Light Echo Score Breakdown

In Cold Light struggles to maintain cohesion, leading to a largely disengaging experience. Critics note that while the film displays moments of competent construction, its direction and visual style remain generic and often monotonous. Viewers repeatedly cite confusing plot points, underdeveloped characters, and a soundtrack that drags. Although a few performances receive modest praise, the cumulative effect limits its appeal. Consequently, the film offers little incentive for repeat viewings.

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

  • Art & Craft 38

    In terms of direction and visual craft, In Cold Light presents a largely generic aesthetic. Critics acknowledge occasional competent construction, yet most note monotonous pacing and a lack of striking cinematography. User feedback describes shaky camerawork and a visual style that fails to differentiate the film from standard genre fare. The overall art and craft therefore register as modest and uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating acting and character depth, the film offers a mixed picture. Maika Monroe and Troy Kotsur receive consistent commendation for nuanced performances, while supporting roles, particularly the antagonist Claire, are judged flat and underdeveloped. Multiple reviewers point to a lack of chemistry and insufficient emotional resonance among the cast. Overall, character work is uneven, with strong leads unable to elevate the broader ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 30

    Regarding plot and pacing, In Cold Light suffers from a confusing narrative and uneven momentum. Critics describe the story as cryptic, with pseudo‑Freudian digressions and a by‑the‑numbers thriller structure that fails to sustain interest. User commentary echoes these points, calling the screenplay pointless, dull, and lacking clear through‑lines. Consequently, the story aspect scores low due to weak coherence and pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    In the realm of sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design receive predominantly negative feedback. Reviewers note a monotonous, grating score that detracts from tension, while occasional gritty scenes are praised for atmosphere. Visual style is described as generic, with some users criticizing shaky camerawork. Overall, sensory elements contribute little enhancement and thus merit a modest rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Considering rewatch value, In Cold Light offers limited incentive for additional viewings. The uneven narrative, repetitive pacing, and underwhelming climax diminish its lasting appeal. While a few reviewers acknowledge solid lead performances that may warrant a second look, the consensus is that the film’s flaws outweigh its merits, resulting in low replay potential.

Videos

In Cold Light Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Exclusive Preview

Seen In Cold Light?

FAQ

In Cold Light FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of In Cold Light, each answered in a sentence.

How long is In Cold Light?

In Cold Light runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was In Cold Light released?

In Cold Light was released on January 23, 2026.

Who directed In Cold Light?

In Cold Light was directed by Maxime Giroux.

More films by Maxime Giroux

Who is in the cast of In Cold Light?

In Cold Light stars Maika Monroe as Ava, Helen Hunt as Claire and Patrick Sabongui as Sef, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch In Cold Light?

In the US, In Cold Light is streaming on Hulu and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is In Cold Light rated?

In Cold Light has 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does In Cold Light have a post-credit scene?

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

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