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Characters & Themes

Cold Moon (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 92 min · English
Echo score 53
JustWatch #2,961 15
Starring
Josh Stewart, Candy Clark, Joe Chrest, Frank Whaley, Chester Rushing, Madison Wolfe
Budget
$3.2M

In the quiet Southern town of Raven's Peak, the Larkin family faces a new wave of unsettling events. Strange occurrences plague the community, including traffic lights behaving erratically, spectral figures appearing, and graves inexplicably opening in the town cemetery. As these eerie omens escalate, the family must confront a growing sense of dread and uncover the source of the disturbances before they are consumed by the darkness.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Cold Moon
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Cold Moon (2017)

Where can you watch Cold Moon? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Bloodstream and Fawesome: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Cold Moon Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Cold Moon (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Nathan Redfield (Josh Stewart)

    Nathan is the ruthless son of the town's banker, embodying cold calculation and manipulative tendencies. His sociopathic behavior leads him to commit horrific acts, driven by greed and a desire for control. As the plot unfolds, Nathan's mental stability deteriorates as he is tormented by the consequences of his actions.

    • 🦹‍♂️ Villain
    • 📉 Sociopathy
  • Evelyn Larkin (Candy Clark)

    Evelyn is part of the Larkin family who falls victim to Nathan's murderous plot. Her character represents the innocent lives affected by greed and evil in the community. The haunting presence she embodies serves as a reminder of the tragedy that unfolds.

    • 👩‍👧 Family
    • 🌟 Innocence
  • James Redfield (Christopher Lloyd)

    James is Nathan's father, a prominent banker whose ambitions inadvertently fuel his son's crimes. His character is pivotal in showcasing the corruptive influence of wealth and power in a small-town setting. James's complicity in the family’s greed contributes to the unfolding tragedy.

    • 🏦 Corruption
    • 👨‍👦 Family

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

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Setting

Where and When Does Cold Moon Take Place?

The setting of Cold Moon (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events of 'Cold Moon' take place in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal issues such as crime, greed, and the psychological impact of guilt. The atmosphere captures a blend of small-town charm and underlying darkness, creating an unsettling contrast.

Location

Babylon, Florida

Babylon is a small, tight-knit town in Florida known for its tranquility and close community ties. However, the peace of Babylon is shattered by the shocking murder of a local teenager, casting a long shadow over its residents. The town is characterized by its river, where dark secrets and tragic events unfold.

  • 🌴 Town
  • 🏞️ River

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

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3 major themes

Cold Moon Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Cold Moon (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural Justice

    The theme of supernatural justice is prevalent as the vengeful spirits of the Larkin family return to haunt Nathan, the murderer. This ghostly retribution serves to highlight the consequences of his heinous actions. It underscores the idea that the past cannot be easily buried, and wrongdoings will find a way to resurface.

  • Deception and Manipulation

    Deception plays a crucial role in Nathan's quest to control the town and cover up his crimes. His manipulation of evidence and people reflects the extent of his sociopathy. This theme illustrates the lengths individuals will go to achieve their selfish desires, often leading to their downfall.

  • Guilt and Madness

    Guilt emerges as a powerful theme as Nathan's psychological state deteriorates under the weight of his actions. The relentless hauntings of the Larkin spirits drive him into madness, demonstrating how guilt can unravel a person's sanity. This theme showcases the internal battle that accompanies moral transgressions.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

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Character & theme questions

Cold Moon Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Cold Moon (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Cold Moon set?

Cold Moon is set in Babylon, Florida, a small, tight-knit town known for its tranquility and close community ties. The town is characterized by a river where dark secrets and tragic events unfold, creating an ominous backdrop for the story.

  • babylon florida
  • setting
  • small town
  • river location
Q2

What time period does Cold Moon take place in?

Cold Moon takes place in a contemporary, modern-day setting. The story reflects current societal issues like crime, greed, and the psychological impact of guilt, while blending small-town charm with an underlying sense of darkness.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • setting
Q3

What is the main theme of Cold Moon?

The main theme of Cold Moon revolves around supernatural justice, where vengeful spirits of the Larkin family return to haunt the murderer Nathan. This explores the idea that the past cannot be buried and wrongdoings will inevitably resurface.

  • supernatural justice
  • theme
  • vengeance
  • ghosts
  • retribution
Q4

How does deception play into Cold Moon?

Deception is a central theme as Nathan Redfield manipulates evidence and people to control the town and cover up his crimes. His sociopathic manipulation showcases the lengths individuals will go to achieve selfish desires, ultimately leading to their downfall.

  • deception
  • manipulation
  • crime
  • cover-up
  • Nathan Redfield
Q5

How does Cold Moon explore guilt and madness?

Guilt emerges as a powerful theme as Nathan's psychological state deteriorates under the weight of his crimes. The relentless hauntings by the Larkin spirits drive him into madness, demonstrating how guilt can unravel a person's sanity.

  • guilt
  • madness
  • psychological
  • mental breakdown
  • torment
Q6

Who is Nathan Redfield in Cold Moon?

Nathan Redfield is the ruthless son of the town's banker, embodying cold calculation and manipulative tendencies. His sociopathic behavior leads him to commit horrific acts driven by greed and a desire for control, and his mental stability deteriorates as he is tormented by the consequences of his actions.

  • nathan redfield
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • banker son
Q7

Who is James Redfield and what is his role?

James Redfield is Nathan's father, a prominent banker in Babylon whose ambitions inadvertently fuel his son's crimes. His character showcases the corruptive influence of wealth and power in a small-town setting, as his complicity in the family's greed contributes to the unfolding tragedy.

  • james redfield
  • banker
  • father
  • wealth
  • power
Q8

Who are the Larkin family in Cold Moon?

The Larkin family are innocent victims whose murders drive the supernatural events of the story. Evelyn Larkin represents one of the victims claimed by Nathan's murderous plot, and their haunting presence serves as a reminder of the tragedy that unfolds and the supernatural justice that follows.

  • larkin family
  • evelyn larkin
  • victims
  • ghosts
  • spirits
Q9

What is the atmosphere of Babylon like in the movie?

Babylon begins as a peaceful, tranquil small town with close community ties, but its peace is shattered by the murder of a local teenager. The town is characterized by an unsettling contrast between its charming surface and the underlying darkness that emerges as secrets are revealed.

  • babylon
  • atmosphere
  • small town
  • darkness
  • secrets
Q10

What supernatural elements are present in Cold Moon?

Cold Moon incorporates supernatural elements through vengeful spirits of the murdered Larkin family who return to haunt Nathan. These ghosts serve as agents of supernatural justice, tormenting the murderer and driving him toward madness as consequences of his heinous actions.

  • supernatural
  • ghosts
  • spirits
  • haunting
  • paranormal

Movie threads

More Movies Like Cold Moon, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Cold Moon tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Supernatural Revenge Thrillers like Cold Moon

A community's dark secrets are unearthed by vengeful, otherworldly forces. If you liked the ghostly retribution and small-town secrets in Cold Moon, you'll find more movies like it here. These supernatural thrillers and horror dramas feature vengeful spirits exposing crimes and creating an atmosphere of unrelenting dread and moral reckoning in isolated communities.

  • vengeful
  • unsettling
  • suspenseful
  • oppressive
  • gloomy
  • paranoid
  • Tone: dark, vengeful, unsettling
  • Pacing: variable, building to a climax
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a hidden crime, often a murder, that disrupts the peace of a contained community. The victim returns as a supernatural force, not for simple scares, but to psychologically torment the perpetrator and expose the truth. The story unfolds as a tense investigation into both the crime and the eerie phenomena, leading to a climactic confrontation where supernatural justice is served.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core premise of supernatural entities acting as agents of karma. They blend mystery and horror with a strong thematic focus on guilt, secrets, and the inescapability of the past. The tone is consistently dark and suspenseful, prioritizing psychological torment over sheer horror.

Southern Gothic Mood Pieces like Cold Moon

Atmospheric tales of dread, madness, and decay in the American South. For viewers who appreciated the oppressive atmosphere and Southern setting of Cold Moon, this section features similar movies. Discover more Southern Gothic stories with a dark tone, psychological themes, and a moody, suspenseful vibe centered on family trauma, small-town secrets, and a descent into madness.

  • gloomy
  • melancholic
  • oppressive
  • atmospheric
  • unsettling
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: dark, melancholic, oppressive
  • Pacing: slow burn, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread are less about plot-driven action and more about a gradual psychological erosion. A protagonist, often an outsider or a returning native, is drawn into a web of family history, local superstition, and long-buried secrets. The oppressive environment acts as a character itself, fueling paranoia and a descent into a state where the supernatural feels tangibly possible, leading to a climax that is often bittersweet or tragic.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their quintessential Southern Gothic atmosphere. They prioritize mood over pace, using a rich, often decaying, setting to explore deep-seated trauma and psychological collapse. The experience is defined by a heavy, melancholic, and suspenseful tone that gets under your skin.

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Every angle

Cold Moon (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Cold Moon in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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