Shubhabrata Dutta
The old American West is a place that harbors many stories. Hollywood has shown a particular interest in this scenario and has given the audience some truly great films. Cowboys, gunslingers, Native Americans, outlaws — there is a lot of scope for concocting interesting stories and creating iconic characters. The texture, the music, and the whole aura of these films are completely different, and when a Western film is on, you know it’ll surely be an adventurous ride full of action. Considering the growing demand for Westerns, streaming platforms like Hulu maintain a collection of some great movies in the genre.
9. The Last Victim (2021)
Naveen A. Chathapuram’s ‘The Last Victim’ showcases a two-phase cat-and-mouse chase. Sheriff Herman Hickey is after a group of outlaws led by Jake Samuels, who are after a woman named Susan, a witness to their latest crime. Starring Ron Perlman, Ralph Ineson, and Ali Larter, ‘The Last Victim’ plays much on symbolism to showcase the complexity of the narrative’s nature. However, it is the actors whose performances make the otherwise-regular neo-Western flick watch-worthy. Apt for bingewatch, the movie can be streamed right here.
8. The Legend of Molly Johnson (2021)
Directed by Leah Purcell, this movie is based on a classic short story, ‘The Drover’s Wife’ written by Henry Lawson in 1892. While the story doesn’t reveal the name of the character, the movie makes sure that she not only has a name but one that we cinephiles remember for a long time. Molly Johnson lives with her children in the Australian Outback while her husband earns a living by moving livestock, which is why he is away from home for months at a stretch before returning. Her vigilance for her children, accompanied by her worry that her surrounding brings in the form of daily experiences, is what the movie explores. The cast includes Leah Purcell as the titular character, Rob Collins, Jessica De Gouw, and Sam Reid. You can watch the movie here.
7. Bitterbrush (2022)
Directed by Emelie Mahdavian, ‘Bitterbrush’ is a Western documentary film that follows Hollyn Patterson and Colie Moline, two skilled range riders as they hitch on an Idaho mountain range surrounded by cattle that they drive. They have known each other for around 5 years and have established a camaraderie that despite being underscored by a rancher lifestyle that in their own ways isn’t a long-lasting one, aids them in enjoying every moment. There are no highs and lows in the film and all that we get is an organic bite of the American West. It may sound uninteresting but ‘Bitterbrush’ is a rare film that is moving and powerful in a most humane way. You can watch it here.
6. Montana Story (2021)
Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, ‘Montana Story’ explores the complex relationship between estranged half-siblings Cal (Owen Teague) and Erin (Haley Lu Richardson). The two people return to their childhood Montana ranch, where their father is on life support. Sharing a traumatic past that is connected to their father, the duo traces their steps backward, having conversations about their childhood while traversing the Montana landscape. Profound and emotionally moving, ‘Montana Story’ is a rare Western drama that you can watch nay experience right here.
5. How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2023)
Set in West Texas, ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ is directed by Daniel Goldhaber. The movie revolves around a plan by a group of individuals in their twenties to blow up an oil pipeline as a response to climate activism and climate change that has claimed the life of the mother of one of the individuals as well. The plot is set in Long Beach, California, and addresses climate change and environmental terrorism. The cast of the movie includes Lukas Gage, Ariela Barer, Sasha Lane, and Jake Weary. You may watch it here.
4. Butcher’s Crossing (2022)
Directed by Gabe Polsky, ‘Butcher’s Crossing’ is based on the 1960 novel by John Edward Williams. The film follows Harvard drop-out Will Andrews, who arrives at Butcher’s Crossing, a small Kansas town, and joins Miller, a mysterious frontiersman/buffalo hunter, on a buffalo hunting expedition funded by Will. Will wants to explore the Wild West and is influenced by Miller’s tales. However, the expedition, as enchanting as it is owing to the terrain, brings a lot of hardships. The natural elements start affecting Will’s sanity, made even worse by Miller’s maniacal lust for the slaughter and skinning of buffalos. The expedition ultimately becomes a fight for survival underscored by greed. The film stars Fred Hechinger as Will Andrews and Nicolas Cage, who is perfect as an unhinged Miller. You can watch ‘Butcher’s Crossing’ here.
3. Jane Got a Gun (2015)
Gavin O’Connor’s ‘Jane Got a Gun’ centers on Jane (Natalie Portman), who is forced to reach out to her ex-fiancé Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton) after her husband’s life is threatened by a group of violent outlaws known as the Bishop Boys, led by John Bishop (Ewan McGregor). While Jane tries to protect her husband and daughter, past and present collide as we learn about Jane’s relationship with Dan, the origin of the Bishop Boys, and what led the latter to hunt Jane’s husband. Despite commendable performances by the cast, ‘Jane Got a Gun’ looks more like a tribute to the Western genre than a film belonging to the genre. However, it has its perks, and O’Connor offers a drama that is well-crafted nonetheless and can be watched right here.
2. True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)
Based on Peter Carey’s novel, ‘True History of the Kelly Gang’ is set in the 1870s and offers a dramatized retelling of the antics of notorious Australian bushranger and outlaw Edward Kelly, AKA Ned Kelly, and his gang, the Kelly Gang. The Justin Kurzel directorial shows how Edward became an outlaw and formed his gang, only to be hunted down by authorities at a young age. The movie transports the viewers to a different universe altogether as they are provided with a gripping depiction of the Australian bush of the above-mentioned time period. Starring George MacKay as Ned Kelly, along with Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, and Charlie Hunnam, ‘True History of the Kelly Gang’ is custom-made for lovers of the Western genre. It can be streamed here.
1. Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Set during the late 19th century, ‘Bone Tomahawk’ follows four people, namely Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russel), Deputy Chicory (Richard Jenkins), gunslinger John Brooder (Matthew Fox), and cowboy Arthur O’Dwyer (Patrick Wilson), who join forces to save a group of people from the town of Bright Hope. From? A cannibalistic tribe, and God knows what they will do with them unless they are rescued soon. While the four men execute a plan to save the people and kill as many of the tribe as possible, they must also be careful, as the “Troglodytes” seemingly have a lot of tricks up their sleeve, too. Entertaining, engrossing, and carrying the perfect Western flavor, the S. Craig Zahler directorial is a must-watch. It can be streamed here.
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