🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Tze Chun
- Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Action
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (10K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A nearly blind mobster forces a motel owner into a bad road trip because his GPS (nephew) took a permanent detour.
🍿 Cold Comes the Night: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Motel, a Mother, and a Threat
Chloe, a struggling single mother, manages a rundown motel in upstate New York, where she lives with her daughter, Sophia. Facing financial hardship and pressure from social services due to the motel’s unsavory clientele, Chloe’s life is already on edge. The arrival of two unexpected guests will throw her world into chaos.

The Blind Mule
Topo, a nearly blind Russian mobster, and his nephew Quincy arrive at the motel seeking a brief respite. Quincy, ignoring Topo’s warnings, invites a prostitute to their room, which results in a violent altercation and Quincy’s death. The aftermath leaves Topo stranded and desperate to recover a hidden package in the impounded vehicle.

Hostage and Hunt
With his package missing, Topo takes Chloe and Sophia hostage, forcing her to help him locate the stolen goods. Chloe discovers the package contains a large sum of money, and suspects the corrupt local cop, Billy, who also happens to be an old flame. Chloe must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse to save her daughter and herself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Chloe (Alice Eve): A struggling motel owner and single mother who is forced into a dangerous situation to protect her daughter.
- Topo (Bryan Cranston): A nearly blind, ruthless career criminal who takes Chloe and her daughter hostage to retrieve his stolen money.
- Sophia (Ursula Parker): Chloe’s young daughter, who is vulnerable and serves as Chloe’s primary motivation.
- Billy (Logan Marshall-Green): A corrupt police officer who complicates Chloe’s life and steals Topo’s money.
- Quincy (Robin Lord Taylor): Topo’s unstable nephew and driver whose actions set off the chain of events.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Topo: “Because good help is hard to find.” – Topo explains to Chloe why he’s giving her a cut of the money after she reluctantly assists him.
- Chloe: “What is a hit-man supposed to do when he is almost completely blind?” – Chloe sarcastically questions Topo’s capability given his impairment.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $16,971
- Worldwide Gross: $24,732
💥 Cold Comes the Night Reviews
Personal Review
I was drawn in by Bryan Cranston, and while his performance was solid, Alice Eve really surprised me. The story is gritty and kept me on edge. The motel setting really adds to the claustrophobic feeling, and I could really feel Chloe’s desperation. The twists were decent, but the overall experience was enjoyable. If you like crime dramas with a strong female lead, give it a watch. I found the ending satisfying, even if a bit predictable.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers.”
- “Viewers interested in character-driven stories.”
- “Admirers of Alice Eve and Bryan Cranston.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence.”
- “Drug use.”
- “Mature themes.”
- “Strong language.”
Professional Reviews
- IndieFilmCritic: “Cold Comes the Night offers a bleak, suspenseful atmosphere, boosted by strong performances from Eve and Cranston. However, the plot relies on several contrivances, preventing it from reaching its full potential. The movie provides an engaging viewing experience, with many commenting about it being better than many high-budget blockbusters in the same genre.
- Noir Enthusiast: “A stylish and tense modern film-noir, effectively capturing the essence of classic noir films. Cranston’s cold and ruthless character is one of the coldest characters seen since Tom Cruise in ‘Collateral’ (2004). Viewers should not expect to learn everything as some questions, and some plot-threads are deliberately left unexplained or vague.
- Genre Junkie: “Entertaining little movie with a watchable and involving story, good pace, and a convincing role from Bryan Cranston. It’s somehow natural and charming, feeling underrated compared to many blockbusters. The script and cinematography are similarly real. Nice ending. Good, fitting soundtrack too. Though it doesn’t try for anything big, COLD COMES the NIGHT accomplishes all it sets out to do and is a very watchable little film.
Audience Reactions
Bryan Cranston’s performance as the almost blind criminal was captivating and added a unique layer to the thriller.: Viewers loved the suspense and tension throughout the movie, especially highlighting the strong performances from Alice Eve and Bryan Cranston.
The gritty realism and well-paced plot kept me engaged from beginning to end, with unexpected twists along the way.: Many praised the movie for its realistic portrayal of crime and its focus on character development over cheap thrills.
Overall Consensus: A decent crime thriller elevated by strong performances, particularly from Alice Eve and Bryan Cranston, despite some predictable plot elements and character decisions.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot on location in Windham, New York, providing a realistic backdrop for the story.”
- “Bryan Cranston’s character, Topo, is a nearly blind criminal, adding a unique layer of vulnerability and tension to the crime thriller.”
- “The film explores the themes of desperation and survival, as Chloe is forced to make difficult choices to protect her daughter.”
🖥️ How to Watch Cold Comes the Night?
Currently, “Cold Comes the Night” is available for rental or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential streaming options, as availability can vary by region. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Cold Comes the Night, you might like these similar films:
- No Country for Old Men (2007): Both films feature a similar neo-noir tone, crime elements, and morally ambiguous characters caught in dangerous situations.
- Prisoners (2013): It deals with parents who are desperate to save their kids and are willing to do anything for their safety.
- Blue Ruin (2013): A person seeking revenge, getting involved in a crime with unpredictable consequences.
🛒 Cold Comes the Night Related Products
- Breaking Bad: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: Relive Bryan Cranston’s iconic performance as Walter White in this critically acclaimed series. The Complete Series Blu-ray is a must-have for fans, providing hours of thrilling entertainment and behind-the-scenes content.
- Noir Movie Poster Set (Classic Films): Enhance your movie room with this set of classic noir movie posters. Featuring iconic films, these posters capture the essence of the genre and add a touch of vintage style to any space. Comes in several sizes.
- The Complete Crime Fiction Collection: This anthology contains hundreds of tales of hardboiled detectives, grifters, and femme fatales that show the evolution of crime fiction and the American cultural consciousness. A must read!
- Crime Scene Investigation Kit for Kids: Unleash your child’s inner detective with this fun and educational crime scene investigation kit. Perfect for aspiring sleuths, this kit includes everything needed to solve mysteries and learn about forensic science.
🎧 Soundtrack
Cold Comes the Night features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Cold Comes the Night was filmed in Windham, New York, capturing the bleak and isolated atmosphere of upstate New York.
No, Cold Comes the Night is not based on a true story. It is a fictional crime thriller written by Tze Chun, Osgood Perkins, and Nick Simon.
Alice Eve plays the lead character, Chloe, a struggling motel owner and single mother.
Tze Chun directed ‘Cold Comes the Night’. He also co-wrote the script with Osgood Perkins and Nick Simon.
🔥 Bonus Content
Alice Eve Interview – Star Trek & Cold Comes The Night
Curious about what it was like for Alice Eve to work with Bryan Cranston? She spills the beans in this short interview, giving you a peek behind the scenes of ‘Cold Comes the Night’ – I think her insights are pretty interesting!
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