A well-paced story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats as it bucks and rolls in unexpected directions to a bloody and satisfying climax.

As for the performances, they're ripe and rich, even though the three core characters sometimes appear to be starring in entirely different movies.

It would be lovely to see the missing halves of these two intriguing pictures. They must be out there somewhere.

As the next chapter in Mickle's ascension, 'Cold in July' is a wonderfully stylized jangle of unsettling imagery, deep-seated tension, and brash, bold, cold comeuppances.