An ambitious journalism student becomes desperately eager to impress a renowned yet cutthroat cable news reporter. To win her approval and secure a coveted career opportunity, the student crosses major ethical boundaries, ultimately manipulating her latest investigative story and challenging the very concept of objective truth for personal advancement.
Length: 1h36m
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Mood: Dark & Mysterious
This Title is: Cynical & Ambitious
Cast
Bel Powley, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jacob Tremblay, Nesta Cooper, Ekaterina Baker
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: R – Language, some drug use, and brief suggestive material
FAQ
- Is Cold Copy Based on a True Story?: No, the storyline is fictional, though writer-director Roxine Helberg drew general inspiration from modern media competition and the high-stakes pressures within contemporary broadcast journalism.
- Where was Cold Copy filmed?: The primary production and principal photography took place in Los Angeles, California.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: The original score was composed by Tóti Guðnason.
Filmmaker Profile
Writer and director Roxine Helberg makes her feature directorial debut with this production. Drawing from her academic background at New York University, Helberg brings a sharp, cynical lens to contemporary media structures, emphasizing character betrayal over conventional genre conventions.
Why It’s Worth Watching
This production stands out due to its tight pacing and sharp focus on the psychological battle between its two lead characters. The stylish cinematography and an edgy electronic score elevate the television newsroom environment into a battleground, presenting a fascinating look at modern sensationalism.
Main Character Deep Dive
Bel Powley delivers an excellent portrayal of Mia Scott, tracking her evolution from an anxious, awkward novice into a callous, calculated professional. Her performance captures a subtle internal transformation, illustrating how ambition can slowly corrupt a person’s ethical boundaries until the desire for success completely overshadows the truth.
Unforgettable Quote
“A good journalist explores the truths by relaying the facts of a situation.”
Trivia
- The production was filmed over a very tight schedule of just 20 days in 2022.
- It marked the feature directorial debut for Roxine Helberg.
- The project had its official world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023 before its wider release in 2024.
Trailer
Stream Cold Copy on:
Our Review
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I found this production to be an engaging look into the dark side of modern media competition. The strongest element is definitely the central dynamic between Bel Powley and Tracee Ellis Ross. Both actresses bring incredible energy to their roles, turning a simple mentorship story into a tense psychological game of chess. The direction keeps the pacing swift, ensuring that the tension remains high as the ethical stakes escalate. I appreciated how the visuals captured the sterile, demanding atmosphere of broadcast newsrooms, matching the cold emotional tone of the characters. The electronic musical score added a great contemporary edge that kept me locked into the unfolding drama. It is refreshing to see a story that doesn’t hold back on showing how far someone will go to achieve success in a crowded professional landscape. The performances alone make this a project well worth your time.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you enjoy tense, dialogue-driven psychological dramas centered around media ethics, professional ambition, and strong performances from talented female leads working in a cutthroat environment.
