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.
12. 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.
11. 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.
10. 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.
9. Cry Macho (2021)
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this road trip neo-Western follows Mike Milo (Eastwood), a former Texas rodeo star/rancher tasked with bringing back his former boss Howard Polk’s 15-year-old son, Rafo, from Mexico. Rafo is being abused by his mother, Leta, in Mexico and needs to be rescued per se. What follows is how Mike manages to bring Rafo back while dealing with her abusive mother and her henchmen, especially Aurelio, who also contributes to the abuse. Seeing Eastwood back in his Western avatar is a visual treat. He is joined by Dwight Yoakam as Howard, Eduardo Minett as Rafo, Fernanda Urrejola as Leta, and Horacio García-Rojas as Aurelio. While the film isn’t that great, Eastwood adds his signature Western grain to it, both directing and acting-wise, thereby making it enjoyable. As for those wondering who the name Macho belongs to, you are in for a treat. You can watch ‘Cry Macho’ 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. 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.
6. High Ground (2020)
An intense and nuanced revenge thriller, ‘High Ground,’ is directed by Stephen Johnson and Stephen Maxwell Johnson. It tells the story of soldier-turned-policeman Travis (Simon Baker), who returns to the Arnhem Land 12 years after the massacre that killed many members of the Yolngu tribe and made him leave in the first place. Now, he has to track down Baywara (Sean Mununggurr), a dangerous warrior, with the help of his new peer and a survivor of the massacre, Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul). Unbeknownst to Travis, Baywara is Gutjuk’s uncle, while Gutjuk is oblivious to the fact that Travis was involved in the massacre. When both truths are revealed, things are bound to get interesting and dangerous. You may watch it here.
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5. 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.
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.
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3. 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.
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2. Tombstone (1993)
Set in the 1880s, this George P. Cosmatos directorial is based on real events, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, which is considered the most famous gunfight in American Old West history. The story follows former lawman Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), who, along with his brothers Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have moved on from their days of gun-slinging and settled in Tombstone. While they are looking for a peaceful life, fate has something else in store for them. They soon encounter the ruthless outlaw gang Cowboys led by “Curly Bill” Brocius. Deciding to put an end to the criminals’ activities and restore peace to the town, the trio of brothers shakes hands with Earp’s old friend Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer). A book of the same name has also been written based on the film by Giles Tippette. You can watch ‘Tombstone’ here.
1. Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Another Western starring Kurt Russel as a lead, ‘Bone Tomahawk’ is directed by S. Craig Zahler. Set in the Old Western town of Bright Hope, the film shows how Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), Deputy Chicory (Richard Jenkins), gunslinger John Brooder (Matthew Fox), and cowboy Arthur O’Dwyer (Patrick Wilson) embark on a rescue mission to save several settlers who have been kidnapped by a group of cannibalistic Troglodytes whose savagery seems to have no bounds. How the band pulls off this dangerous feat, if at all, is what follows in this must-watch drama. You can stream ‘Bone Tomahawk’ here.
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