Cold in July
IFC Films | Release Date: May 23, 2014
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 86 Ratings
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61
Mixed:
23
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
quincytheodoreMar 9, 2015
Cold in July is deceptively unassuming, it's quiet in building the suspense then it savors the violence in healthy dose. The movie aptly delivers a story with twists and turns, surprisingly changing tones as new mysteries reveal themselves.Cold in July is deceptively unassuming, it's quiet in building the suspense then it savors the violence in healthy dose. The movie aptly delivers a story with twists and turns, surprisingly changing tones as new mysteries reveal themselves. The actors are great, they produce wide range of characterization and ensure their respective personalities are convincing. Its contrastingly dark and bright visual innovate the covert flair without making it looks like a retro detective noir flick.

Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall) wakes up at one night and finds his home is a target of a burglar. He then proceeds to shoot him, much to everyone’s surprise, including his own. It sets up a chain of events that attract him to a much larger secret than simple breaking and entering. Hall is exceptional as a regular civilian with relatively normal mind, unlike his role in Dexter. He showcases variety of emotions, originally anxiety and rage, but as he endures the trial his characters develops stronger.

Russel (Sam Shepard), the father of the alleged burglar is sympathetically crude and worn down by life. Jim Bob (Don Johnson) rounds up the rag tag gang of investigators. These three are bizarre mix of cast, but they are drawn by a common goal. Each has their own quirky nature and the actors more than elevate the intense plot.

Visually, Cold in July is crisp and immersive. Cinematography works down to the minute details, from angle of the camera in the dark corner to the moving viewpoint of a car, these produce an immersive effect as one watches the mystery unfolds. Soundtracks are oddly in tune, some of them are harrowingly effective. The film doesn't boast high amount of gore, but when it does the result is bloody authentic.

If there's a minor setback, it's that the pace stumbles a bit on the midpoint. The transition between first and second half might be jarring. However, the clever twists and great performance more than make up for it. Cold in July is a light venture to shady uncompromising crime resort with turns that will keep audiences in the edge of their seats.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
TheDRauchNov 20, 2014
Featuring a trio of fantastic performances from Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepherd, and a rejuvenated Don Johnson, sporting an off-kilter 80s-esque electro score, and an engaging plot ripe with welcomely subverting turns in direction, Cold in JulyFeaturing a trio of fantastic performances from Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepherd, and a rejuvenated Don Johnson, sporting an off-kilter 80s-esque electro score, and an engaging plot ripe with welcomely subverting turns in direction, Cold in July will probably go down (unfortunately) as one of the most underrated films of the year. True, the film adds little new context to the repercussions of violence and the expectations of masculinity that impose upon simple men. There is also a kind of corn-brained logic to some of the plot twists, but it never comes across as ridiculous, more campy and fun. If I had to compare this film tonally to something else from this year, Blue Ruin comes to mind, as well as the Nicolas Cage vehicle, Joe. While not nearly as seamless in presenting it's thrills as Blue Ruin or emotionally resonant as Joe, Cold in July still earns merit for being a competently made thriller that has characters more rich than we've come to expect from the genre, as well as an unbridled momentum that builds to a (albeit, predictable) satisfying finale. Worth recommending.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
LowbrowCinemaJun 1, 2014
Director Jim Mickle is creating a strong bounty of dark and seedy films that contemplate the American nightmare. COLD IN JULY is not as strong as his masterwork STAKELAND, but it haunts with its brooding tone and sense of sadness. COLD INDirector Jim Mickle is creating a strong bounty of dark and seedy films that contemplate the American nightmare. COLD IN JULY is not as strong as his masterwork STAKELAND, but it haunts with its brooding tone and sense of sadness. COLD IN JULY is anchored by three wonderful performances from Michael C. Hall, Sam Shephard, and especially the amazing Don Johnson who is at his best.

Mickle isolates his characters in a world that is never what it seems. Where issues are far more complex than one can imagination. In other words, unlike other "horror" filmmakers, Mickle is grounded in the profound and complex world of the real.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
scartwright49Aug 1, 2014
A real thrill ride. The movie changes course quicker than you can believe. It keep you glued to the screen throughout. The three leads were fantastic.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
seventhsealOct 12, 2014
Not the best but a long way from the worst, if we use OUT OF THE FURNACE as the worst example. Yes the story line/plot has some holes in but over all the acting and attention to detail in direction and production is very good. Really catchesNot the best but a long way from the worst, if we use OUT OF THE FURNACE as the worst example. Yes the story line/plot has some holes in but over all the acting and attention to detail in direction and production is very good. Really catches the 80s vibe. Don Johnson is reborn of late and loving his appearances more and more.

Overall I would say yeah, go for it, turn your brain off or certainly down to popcorn level and enjoy a good ole shoot 'em up/revenge escapade.

7/10… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
car149tobaseNov 22, 2015
It's a great history, plenty of turnarounds and spectacular suspense moments. The 80's synthpop soundtrack brings a good atmosphere for the movie. I do recommend it.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
SpangleApr 1, 2016
Cold in July is a fantastic crime thriller from director Jim Mickie with outstanding performances from Michael C. Hall and Sam Shephard. Mickie does a great job wringing tension out of the premise and the end result is that the viewer isCold in July is a fantastic crime thriller from director Jim Mickie with outstanding performances from Michael C. Hall and Sam Shephard. Mickie does a great job wringing tension out of the premise and the end result is that the viewer is constantly on pins and needles awaiting the next twist the film is going to take. Once you think you have a grasp on where the film is headed, it frequently pulls the rug out from under you and changes course yet again. The film is incredibly detailed, right down to the different filters on the film, which transition from blue to gold to red in the film. It is really the defining factor in why this film has really fantastic look. The cinematography ain't too shabby either though. Overall, Cold in July is not perfect, but it is the exact kind of film that crime thriller fans are looking for and, beyond that, it is incredibly well crafted and is one that will definitely stick with you for a bit.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
BrianMcCriticOct 1, 2014
A real interesting film that that works in almost every way. The performances are good and the story will keep you intrigued throughout, also the score was really cool. It was really close to an 8 but it's currently my highest 7 of the year. B+
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
CinemayorumlariOct 29, 2014
Dexter karakteri olarak karşımıza çıkan Micheal dizi sektöründen sıyrılıp sinemada başarılı işler yapabileceğini bize kanıtladı. Muhteşem olay örgüsüne sahip olan film yüksek puanıda hak ediyor...
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
MattBrady99Mar 10, 2015
A story that has been done before loads of times in movies but this movie takes that story and gives it a twist. Micheal C. hall plays a family man with a wife and child, and he is a good man, but one night he hears a nose in the house and heA story that has been done before loads of times in movies but this movie takes that story and gives it a twist. Micheal C. hall plays a family man with a wife and child, and he is a good man, but one night he hears a nose in the house and he goes to check it out by bringing a gun with him; he saw a mysterious man with a flashlight look at his family photos so Micheal C. hall points a gun at the stranger a shouts him by mistake, and throw out the movie he has to deal with some big problems and he has to risk everything to try to make everything right. The music in this movie is like a electric rock music that works so well in this movie that it reminds me of the drive soundtrack. The acting is freaking brilliant in this movie and the directing is outstanding in this movie.… Expand
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7
Derek1127May 8, 2015
pretty unique movie. well acted. Somehow manages to keep you constantly on the edge of your seat without much really happening. overall I would recommend Cold in July
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8
TrailesqueFeb 18, 2022
This well-plotted, Texas-smoked thriller/neo-noir gets off to a strong start. A regular guy (Michael C. Hall) shoots a burglar dead in his home one night, and then the deceased's father (Sam Shepard), recently released from prison, comesThis well-plotted, Texas-smoked thriller/neo-noir gets off to a strong start. A regular guy (Michael C. Hall) shoots a burglar dead in his home one night, and then the deceased's father (Sam Shepard), recently released from prison, comes around looking for revenge. But things are not as they appear; the story takes an interesting turn, enemies become allies, and a suave private eye (Don Johnson) gets into the picture. Unfortunately the film is marred by a cheesy soundtrack and a Tinseltown bloodbath finale - I thought they might go for something more nuanced. Good suspense and fine performances by the leads are the best things about it.… Expand
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