#REVIEW: “IN COLD LIGHT”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

As a huge fan of Maika Monroe since 2014 with It Follows, there is almost anything I will see her in, there really isn’t a limit to the movies I will watch if she is starring in them. She seldom misses. With her newest project directed by Maxime Giroux and written by Patrick Whistler, she is given a lot to do, but not much to work with but her prowess to bring emotional gravitas and conviction with something slim is undeniable and she does it with In Cold Light.

The Movie focuses on the Bly family, and specifically Ava (Maika Monroe) as she was just released from prison and wants to reconnect with her brother Tom (Jesse Irving). However, she has to steer clear of her father (Troy Kotsur) as he has issues with Ava’s life, blames her for tragedies in their life, and has a general resentment for his daughter, that is played out obviously. However, as clean as Ava wants to get, she cannot help but be drawn back into the underworld business, however, as soon as she tries to re-enter the business, the new queenpin of the region, Claire (Helen Hunt) wants to ensure her enterprise doesn’t get taken away and issues a hit on both Ava and her brother Tom, as she gets him dragged into the business. Now, fighting for her life and being framed for Tom’s murder, Ava is on-the-run and has to ensure her safety and clearing her name, or everything she has will vanish within the blink of an eye.

What works for In Cold Light is Monroe‘s performance. Ava has had a hard life that is impossible to fathom the life she has had; being blamed for a tragedy that was not her fault, being arrested, then being blamed for your brother’s death – it’s a lot to put on anyone’s shoulders. To top it off, the resentment her father has for her grows with each incident and makes her struggle to go on a real battle that she just has to face on her own. Monroe’s ability to be broken but driven, is simply sublime. The Film’s pair of Oscar winners Kotsur and Hunt, however, are underutilized, which is unfortunate. Irving though, while seen only a bit, paints the picture perfectly.  A bit more of him would’ve balanced the deep despair we feel in Monroe‘s Ava.

In Cold Light is dark and heavy, but Monroe‘s brilliance shines bright. There should have been more to the Film with the caliber of talent its showcasing, and the plot could’ve been tighter. Giroux as Director, is most effective at capturing and evoking feeling and mood here, with Whistler’s script giving Monroe a chance to excel.

Elevation Pictures release IN COLD LIGHT in theatres on Friday, February 27, 2026.