The western genre is experiencing something of a renaissance of late, highlighted by two of 2021’s biggest movies - The Harder They Fall, and The Power of the Dog.
But don’t go into the movie theater expecting to see your typical John Wayne Spaghetti Western when it comes to these or any other of their modern counterparts.
Moviemakers are pushing the boundaries of the genre to places it’s never been before, addressing racism and sexism head-on, tackling the world of the western with a self-referential, self-aware style.
Related
With this in mind, here are six modern westerns for you to sink your teeth into this weekend.
Django Unchained (2012)
This story follows Django, a freed slave played by Jamie Foxx, who travels the south with eccentric bounty hunter Dr. Schultz, played by Christoph Waltz. The two go looking for the Brittle Brothers who sold Django’s wife Broomhilda, and ultimately land themselves at the plantation of her detestable now-owner Calvin Candle, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
The remainder of the movie is filled with edge-of-the-seat, knife-edged tension on and off the screen as Django and Schultz attempt to rescue Broomhilda, without Candle discovering their true motive for their visit.
A typical Quentin Tarantino flick, Django Unchained is wonderfully shot, written, and scored. Never one to shy away from family-unfriendly topics and language, you’re best off watching this after the kids have gone to bed.
Django Unchained will have your curiosity and your attention via subscription on Netflix.
3:10 To Yuma (2007)
A remake of Delmer Daves’ 1957 version, the 2007 edition was directed by James Mangold and features a star-studded cast led by Christian Bale.
Bale’s character, Dan Evans, is a financially troubled rancher who is asked to accompany notorious outlaw Ben Wade, played by Russell Crowe, to the town of Contention, where he’s set to catch the… you guessed it… 3:10 train to Yuma Prison.
Trouble follows them along the way as the two – surprise, surprise – develop an unlikely friendship as they edge closer to Contention.
A well-executed and entertaining remake, which is no easy feat, 3:10 To Yuma features the likes of Peter Fonda, Vinessa Shaw, and Ben Foster.
Always bang on time, 3:10 To Yuma is available via subscription on Hulu.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Many will be screaming at their screens right now asking ‘why include ANOTHER Tarantino movie when there are so many more impressive modern westerns?’ Well, frankly, because his work cannot be missed.
A claustrophobic and tense movie, The Hateful Eight follows eight ‘strangers’ who ‘happen’ to all end up in the same haberdashery in an attempt to escape the blizzard that is tormenting the wild Wyoming landscape.
Ultimately as the evening progresses, this cabin turns from a sanctuary into a living nightmare where nobody, not the bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson), the hangman (Kurt Russell), the confederate (Bruce Dern), the sheriff (Walton Goggins), the Mexican (Demián Bichir), the little man (Tim Roth), the cowpuncher (Michael Madsen), nor the prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh) can be trusted. The question then becomes, who will make it out alive?
Once again, this is the furthest thing from family-friendly viewing, but for any adults out there - particularly movie-buffs who would find the fact it was shot on Ultrawide Panavision 70 and was initially only screened at specialist theaters interesting – this is one that cannot be missed.
The Hateful Eight can be found sans-projector via subscription on Netflix.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
The most easy-to-watch of this list, The Magnificent Seven is an excellent introduction to westerns for any newcomers.
A select group of gunmen with varying levels of respectable histories, come together to help save the town of Rose Creek from greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, played by Peter Sarsgaard, and his men against whom the town has rebelled.
The seven gunmen hired to save the town consist of a U.S. Marshal (Denzel Washington), a gambler (Chris Pratt), a former confederate soldier (Ethan Hawke), a tracker (Vincent D’Onofrio), an assassin (Byung-hun Lee), a Mexican outlaw, (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and a Comanche warrior (Martin Sensmeier).
Another remake, the 2016 version can be found for rental on multiple platforms including YouTube.
Godless (2017)
Our TV series suggestion comes in the form of Netflix’s Godless.
After escaping a band of outlaws, Roy Goode, played by Jack O'Connell, finds shelter at the ranch of Alice Fletcher, a fellow outcast (of sorts) played by Michelle Dockery. Deadset on finding Goode, the outlaws, led by Jeff Daniels' menacing character Frank Griffin, chase Goode's trail which ultimately leads them to his temporary home outside the town of La Belle - a community inhabited and run almost exclusively by women.
Godless can be found hiding away on Netflix.
1883
Taylor Sheridan's Paramount+ series 1883 is proving extremely popular among viewers and critics alike - having bagged a Writers Guild of America nomination. This prequel series to "Yellowstone" follows the Dutton family as they make their way across the Great Plains looking for pastures new.
Filmed in Fort Worth, Granbury, and Weatherford among other locations, North Texas plays a big part in the story of the Duttons' journey.
Starring the likes of Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and LaMonica Garrett, if you're looking for an insight into North Texas of old, you can watch it via subscription on Paramount+.
Related
Lights, camera, action! Get the latest updates on movies and television from The Reel Buzz on Audacy.com.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram