How to Watch the Dark Supernatural Thriller Filmed at Indiana’s Historic West Baden Hotel

A Chilling Indiana Movie You Need on Your Watchlist

I love watching spooky, scary, and heart-pounding movies this time of year. I save them up all year and binge them through October. Today, I found out I need to add So Cold the River to my playlist. It’s a psychological horror thriller that was filmed right here in Indiana!

Filmed at the Historic West Baden Springs Hotel

Back in 2020, more than 3,000 people applied to be extras in a movie shot in Southern Indiana at the West Baden Springs Hotel and nearby areas. Based on the novel by the same name by New York Times best-selling author Michael Koryta, this dark supernatural story follows ex-documentary filmmaker Erica Shaw. She travels to French Lick to produce a documentary about a dying multi-millionaire Hoosier at the request of his daughter. In French Lick, Shaw uncovers the dark secrets behind a mysterious bottle of water and the man she’s been hired to profile.

Author Michael Koryta’s Indiana Roots

Koryta, who grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, used West Baden and French Lick as the setting for his novel. Written and directed by Paul Shoulberg, Koryta's vision came entirely to life as the movie was filmed entirely on location at the West Baden Springs Hotel and in the surrounding community. Though I have not read the book, many people commented on a post made by French Lick Resort that the movie differs from the novel. So, it's worth a read - even after watching the movie.

The History Behind the West Baden Springs Hotel

The movie shows off the hotel’s stunning exterior, guest rooms, bar, pool, gardens, and of course, the incredible atrium. Deciding to film at the hotel was a real win. French Lick is a small town in southern Indiana. Though it's close to several large cities, it remains secluded from the rest of the world. The hotel was originally fashioned after Baden-Baden, a famous European mineral spa. It was built to capitalize on the area’s natural mineral springs, which were believed to cure everything from “cavities to cancer.”

A Grand Rebuild After Two Fires

After two devastating fires, the hotel was rebuilt in 1902 by Lee W. Sinclair. Architect Harrison Albright of West Virginia accepted the commission and agreed to complete the project within a year. The new hotel, complete with a 200-foot diameter atrium and a fireplace large enough to burn 14-foot logs, opened for business in June of 1902.

Restoring Its Original Glory

Over the years, the hotel changed hands and purposes before eventually closing to the public. In 1994, an Indiana investment group purchased the property and fully restored it to its original grandeur.

A Personal Connection to West Baden

If you've ever visited West Baden, you might feel like you are entering The Shining when you first walk through the doors. But once you step into the Atrium, that eerie feeling fades fast. Even though the vastness makes you feel small, the intricate architecture and elegant décor feel warm and inviting. I have spent many afternoons there reading in a lounge chair, swimming in the indoor pool, and playing billiards with my family in the game room.

Streaming So Cold the River in Indiana

If you want to watch the movie, it's streaming on several platforms including: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Roku, YouTube and On Demand via DIRECTV, DISH, Frontier and more.