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.
11. 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.
10. The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Directed by Sam Raimi, ‘The Quick and the Dead’ centers on a woman gunslinger addressed as “the Lady” (Sharon Stone) who is searching for the person who killed her father. Her search brings her to the town of Redemption in the Old West, and she takes part in a gunslinger elimination competition organized by the town’s ruthless mayor, John Herod (Gene Hackman). During her stay, she meets a gunslinger-turned-preacher named Cort and a young boy named “the Kid” who believes that Herod is his father. With revisionist themes at its core, ‘The Quick and the Dead’ does a good job delivering the revenge plot. Thanks to the talented cast, including Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, we get power-packed performances that add to the overall Western drama, underscored by Saimi’s signature visual style. The movie can be streamed here.
9. 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.
8. The Last Son (2021)
Starring Sam Worthington, Colson Baker, and Thomas Jane, ‘The Last Son’ is directed by Tim Sutton. Set in 19th-century Sierra Nevada, the film follows Isaac LeMay, a notorious outlaw who is out to kill his potential children after a Native elder prophecies that one of his children will kill him. The reason he has been on a killing spree is that he has no idea who will be the one to kill him, thanks to his inclination towards prostitutes. We also meet Cal, a short-tempered bank robber, who is one of LeMay’s remaining offspring; Cal’s mother, Anna, a prostitute; Megan, a daughter of LeMay; and U.S. Marshal Solomon, who is on LeMay’s tail and has a past with Anna. How these people’s lives intersect is underscored by death, superstition, bloodline, and the wilderness of the West. You can watch ‘The Last Son’ here.
7. Hostile Territory (2022)
A well-executed Western drama by Brian Presley, ‘Hostile Territory’ follows a Union soldier named Jack (Presley) who returns home after the Civil War, only to find out that his home doesn’t exist anymore. His wife is dead, and his children, presumed to be orphans, have been put on a train that is making its way further deep into the West, which is completely hostile territory. With dangerous and angry tribes out there, Jack will have to hurry if he wants to see his children again. The war may be over, but his battle has just begun. To join him on his quest, you can watch the film here.
6. 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.
5. Murder at Yellowstone City (2022)
Is there a better story than a murder in the desert? ‘Murder at Yellowstone City’ directed by Richard Gray, is a masterfully executed movie that deals with just that. The death of Robert Dunnigan (Zach McGowan), the guy who recently discovered a gold mine, makes Cicero (Isaiah Mustafa), a slave who has just arrived in Yellowstone City, the primary suspect. However, more murders get Sheriff Jim Ambrose (Gabriel Byrne) perplexed, and he realizes what he has to do to find the culprit to stop the piling up of bodies. You may watch the film here.
4. The Old Way (2023)
The slightly unhinged and eccentric nature of the West does make Nicholas Cage its befitting manifestation, don’t you think? In Brett Donowho’s ‘The Old Way,’ Cage stars as gunslinger Colton Briggs, who is involved in a game of revenge. When the son of a guy he once killed returns and kills Brigg’s wife, the latter decides to end the game once and for all and even takes along his daughter, who shares his taste for revenge. If you want an authentic Western experience, ‘The Old Way’ is a great pick. You can watch the movie here.
3. 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.
2. 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.
1. 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.
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