Cold Moon (directed by Griff Furst) is a Southern Gothic supernatural thriller based on Michael McDowell’s 1980 novel Cold Moon Over Babylon. Set in a sleepy Florida town in the 1980s, the film blends ghostly revenge with murder mystery, offering a chilling tale of justice from beyond the grave.
The story begins with the brutal murder of Margaret Larkin, a young girl from a humble family. When her body is found tied to a bicycle underwater, her death shakes the small community—but the deeper tragedy is that few seem truly interested in solving the crime. Her family, especially her grandmother Evelyn, refuses to let her memory fade, demanding answers as the police investigation stalls.
Soon, strange phenomena begin to plague the town. The killer is haunted by terrifying visions—Margaret’s spirit and others seem to rise from the swampy depths, seeking vengeance. As the line between the natural and supernatural blurs, secrets long buried in this quaint town begin to unravel. And someone is about to pay for more than just one crime.
Cold Moon stands out for its haunting atmosphere more than sheer horror. The cinematography is bathed in shadows and fog, with eerie, dreamlike imagery—ghosts floating midair, time appearing to freeze, and pale faces staring from the dark. The mood leans into old-school horror rather than gore or jump scares.
Josh Stewart gives a layered performance as the disturbed and paranoid killer, while veteran actor Christopher Lloyd adds a cryptic presence in a supporting role. The film’s pacing is slow but deliberate, building tension steadily toward a ghostly climax.
This is not a film for fans of fast-paced horror, but for those who enjoy Southern Gothic chills, tragic spirits, and poetic justice. Cold Moon reminds us that the past never stays buried—and some wrongs refuse to rest quietly underwater.
