Cold in July

An unknown intruder smashes a door window, waking Ann. Richard confronts him and, in a panic, shoots Freddy Russell, a felon wanted by the police. The family is shaken by the violent breach and the immediate danger.

Following the break-in, police are posted around the house, with at least one guard inside. The Danes are placed under protection as officers try to anticipate Freddy's return. The sense of danger deepens for the family.

Richard visits the cemetery on the day Freddy Russell is buried. Freddy's father, Ben, accosts Richard from his car and hints at Richard's son Jordan. The encounter leaves Richard unsettled and more determined to protect his family.

Ben shadows Richard and follows him to his son's school. Richard collects Jordan and plans to meet Ann at the police station. The police, however, offer little help as the threat looms closer.

Police are posted around the house, including one guard inside. Ben has been hiding in the crawlspace and now emerges to knock out the guard. He moves toward Jordan's room and locks the door, heightening the danger for the family.

Ben escapes through a window and flees toward a nearby river. The pursuit continues as investigators track him, eventually reaching Mexico where he is apprehended. The chase underscores the escalating stakes for Richard and Jordan.

Richard is invited to the police station, where he sees a poster for 'Frederick Russell' that resembles the man he shot. He attempts to point out the discrepancy, but Officer Ray Price dismisses it as a trick of memory and refuses to discuss it.

Jim Bob Luke, a private investigator connected to Ben, explains that 'Fred Russell' is tied to several widely reported killings. He theorizes Freddy may have entered Witness Protection after helping federal investigators. The theory suggests Freddy is still alive and valuable to authorities.

They learn Freddy might be living in Houston under the name 'Frank Miller'. They attempt to meet him at his new home, but instead discover disturbing home videos that show Freddy abusing a victim. Richard wants to go to the police, but Jim argues Freddy is more valuable as an informant than as a suspect.

The videos reveal Freddy's involvement in a snuff-film scheme, including a tape of Freddy beating a woman to death with a baseball bat. Ben's fury grows as they realize the victims are illegal immigrants the system may not miss. The tension thickens as the pursuit narrows toward Freddy.

Richard, Jim, and Ben infiltrate the remote mansion where Freddy and his associates are creating another snuff film. They begin eliminating those in the way, and the brutal mission reaches a fever pitch as they close in on Freddy. The night ends with Freddy being the last survivor, forcing a deadly confrontation.

Freddy becomes the last survivor after a brutal exchange. Ben hesitates to kill him while Jim is shot in the crossfire. The confrontation escalates into a high-stakes clash that will decide their fates.

Freddy shoots Richard and Ben, dramatically escalating the danger. Ben finally manages to wound Freddy, turning the tide in their favor. The moment marks a critical turn in the deadly siege.

Ben reveals himself as Freddy's father and shoots Freddy in the head, killing his son. He dies soon after from his own wounds. The father’s sacrifice ends the immediate threat in a grim, personal twist.

Jim and Richard set the mansion ablaze and escape with the hostage. By morning, Richard returns home to his family, hoping for a fragile peace after the nightmare. The Danes begin the slow process of reclaiming their ordinary life.