Stone Cold Fox Review: There’s something about an 80s-set revenge story that always pulls me in, the neon lights, the attitude, the rawness. Stone Cold Fox had everything on paper I’d usually love: a tough female lead, a grimy underworld, and a cast I genuinely admire, Kiernan Shipka, Krysten Ritter, and Kiefer Sutherland. But after watching it, I walked away thinking… this movie just doesn’t know what it wants to be.
My Rating: 2.5/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Stone Cold Fox |
| Release Date | November 7, 2025 |
| Genre | Crime, Thriller, Drama |
| Director | Sophie Tabet |
| Writer | Sophie Tabet |
| Main Cast | Kiernan Shipka, Krysten Ritter, Kiefer Sutherland, Jamie Chung |
| Runtime | 1h 26m |
| Language | English |
| Country | United States |
| Rating | R (Violence, drug content, and language) |
Plot (Without the PR Fluff)
So here’s the deal. Fox (played by Shipka) escapes a violent commune run by Goldie (Ritter), her manipulative ex, who also happens to be a drug queenpin. Fox wants out; she steals a duffel bag full of cocaine and plans to start over. But the moment Goldie kidnaps her little sister and sends a crooked cop, Billy Breaker (Sutherland), after her, Fox is forced to dive back into the hellhole she ran from.
It’s got the bones of a classic revenge thriller, but the story never digs deep enough to hit hard. Everything feels familiar; you’ve seen this movie before, just under a different name and better direction.
What Worked
Kiefer Sutherland absolutely owns his scenes as Sergeant Billy Breaker. He’s menacing, morally rotten, and the kind of villain who makes your skin crawl. It’s nice seeing him play dark again after years of heroic roles.
Jamie Chung adds a bit of spark as Officer Corbett, though her subplot barely matters in the grand scheme of things.
And yeah, there are flashes of style, a few wild edits, disco-lit shots, and that trippy 60s-meets-80s vibe. It’s not boring to look at, I’ll give it that.
What Fell Flat
Kiernan Shipka is solid, but she’s stuck with a paper-thin character. Her motivations never feel strong enough, and half the time you’re not sure what she’s actually after: freedom, revenge, or redemption?
Krysten Ritter, whom I usually love, feels miscast. Her Goldie is meant to be terrifying, but she comes off more cartoonish than cruel. The tension between her and Shipka just isn’t there, which kills the emotional core of the story.
The direction, from first-timer Sophie Tabet, feels off. The film jumps from gritty crime thriller to psychedelic fever dream and back again, without ever settling into a clear tone. The editing tries too hard to make things “cool,” and it ends up feeling forced. By the time the chaotic ending rolls in, it’s hard to care about who wins or loses.
The Visual Vibe
Despite the 1980s setting, Stone Cold Fox mixes in weird 60s/70s influences, roller disco, tie-dye filters, and soft-grain cinematography that makes everything look washed out. It’s stylish, sure, but style doesn’t always equal substance.
I love a retro aesthetic when it fits, but here it feels pasted on, like the movie’s trying to distract you from how flat the story really is.
Final Verdict
Stone Cold Fox had real potential. The cast? Great. The premise? Classic. But the execution just doesn’t land. It’s a movie that wants to be wild and gritty but ends up feeling like a watered-down imitation of better films.
If you’re into moody crime stories and just want some retro atmosphere, it’s a watchable one-time flick. But if you’re expecting a sharp, emotional revenge thriller, you’ll be left cold.
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Good vs. Bad — Quick Breakdown
| What Worked (Good) | What Didn’t (Bad) |
|---|---|
| Kiefer Sutherland’s villainous performance steals the show | Weak character development — especially for the lead |
| Visually bold moments with retro color and style | Tonal confusion: not sure if it’s crime, drama, or parody |
| Solid supporting cast with Jamie Chung and Shipka trying their best | Krysten Ritter feels miscast and over-the-top |
| Short runtime keeps it moving | Rushed storytelling and messy ending |
| Nostalgic 80s soundtrack touches | Emotionally flat and lacks tension |
Bottom Line
Stone Cold Fox is the kind of film that wants to be a cult classic but ends up as a half-formed idea. There’s a cool movie hidden somewhere inside this mess, but it just never makes it to the surface.
If you’re curious to see Kiefer Sutherland back in villain mode, give it a go when it hits streaming. Otherwise, there are far better revenge stories from the ’80s and ’90s that deliver the grit this one only teases.
Stone Cold Fox hits theaters on November 7, 2025.
