Cold Cross

Cold Cross – A Gritty, Low-Budget Western That Delivers Emotion and Tension

Cold Cross is a 2023 independent Western film directed by Dylan Query and co-written with Jacob Stieneker. Set against the bleak and lawless American frontier, the film tells a slow-burning tale of revenge, grief, and moral reckoning. Despite being made on a shoestring budget—reportedly around $250,000—it manages to punch far above its weight in terms of atmosphere, storytelling, and emotional depth.

At the center of the film is William McCarthy, played by co-writer Jacob Stieneker. William is a haunted young man seeking vengeance for the brutal murder of his parents. His quest takes him to a harsh and unforgiving town known as Cold Cross, where he begins tracking down those responsible. However, William soon finds that vengeance is not a one-way road. As he hunts, he too is hunted—by the brother of a sheriff he once killed. What follows is a tense and morally complex journey that explores how far a man can go before becoming what he despises.

Rather than relying on overblown gunfights or Hollywood spectacle, Cold Cross leans into its emotional core. Dylan Query, in addition to directing, also took on the roles of producer, cinematographer, editor, and composer. His minimalist but effective style captures the desolation and loneliness of the Old West with striking visuals and careful pacing. The barren landscapes, muted color palettes, and long silences give the film a meditative, almost poetic quality, reminiscent of classic revisionist Westerns.

Stieneker’s performance as William is raw and grounded. He portrays a man torn between his rage and a sense of lost innocence. As the character unravels emotionally, so does the simplicity of his mission. What starts as a clear-cut revenge plot becomes something more unsettling—a meditation on what violence does to the soul. William isn’t a hero, and that’s what makes the film compelling. His pain is real, his actions questionable, and his path uncertain.

Though the film has received limited mainstream attention, early viewers and indie film supporters have praised it for its authenticity and narrative ambition. Some audiences have drawn comparisons to the tone and visual style of The Revenant, though Cold Cross tells a much more contained and personal story. The dialogue is sparse, the action precise, and the stakes grounded in emotional realism rather than mythic grandeur.

There are flaws. The first act moves slowly, and some plot points require careful attention due to the film’s understated approach. A few viewers may find its pacing too deliberate or its mood overly grim. But these choices feel intentional. Cold Cross is less concerned with pleasing a general audience than with immersing viewers in a dark, introspective world where justice is elusive and survival comes at a steep cost.

In the end, Cold Cross stands out as a quietly impressive film that honors the Western tradition while modernizing its themes. It’s a stark, emotionally charged piece of storytelling that rewards patient viewers with a tale that’s as tragic as it is unforgettable. For fans of independent cinema and character-driven Westerns, this film is a hidden gem worth discovering.