Cold in July is a gripping neo-noir thriller set in East Texas in 1989, where a small-town frame builder named Richard Dane becomes a local hero after killing a burglar in self-defense. However, the dead man’s father, a menacing ex-con, arrives seeking revenge. As the twists unfold, alliances shift, revealing a deeper conspiracy. The film explores themes of violence, masculinity, and moral ambiguity, blending suspense with unexpected humor and emotional depth.

Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson