Bold claim: a gripping new thriller promises to redefine its genre, and the trailer confirms it. Maika Monroe is back in a tense, edge-of-seat ride with In Cold Light, the upcoming crime thriller from Saban Films. While fans await the It Follows follow-up They Follow, Monroe headlines this film alongside Troy Kotsur, with French-Canadian director Maxime Giroux at the helm (known for Felix And Meira).
Also featured is Helen Hunt in what’s described as a gritty, high-stakes crime drama. In Cold Light is slated to hit theaters on January 23, 2026, and the official trailer has just been released for viewers to gauge the intensity and atmosphere of the movie.
Official synopsis: Ava (Maika Monroe) feels cornered, teetering on the brink of a public confrontation that could explode at any moment. She is hunted—by those who killed her brother, and by her own internal battles. Ava faces a pivotal choice: protect herself and push forward to survive another day, or take a risk to become the person she aspires to be.
screenplay credited to Patrick Whistler, a veteran writer in the horror community since 2008 and current Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Whistler is also known for his ownership of Eli Roth’s prop corpse from Piranha 3D, and he humorously notes his two cats and hobby of toy collecting as part of his creative process.
Controversial note: this project presents a fresh vision in a familiar crime-thriller framework, which has sparked discussions about whether the film leans more toward character-driven intensity or pulse-pounding action. Does Ava’s choice reflect a universal struggle for agency, or does it rely on genre tropes to drive tension? Share your take in the comments: is this a bold reinvention or a risky departure for the genre?
