The Old West is a surprisingly great setting for horror. While figures like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were known for being tough, their weapons from the 1880s would be no match for creatures like vampires or werewolves. Even against a zombie outbreak, those isolated, small towns wouldn’t have been able to communicate quickly enough to warn each other about the danger, or share information on how to survive. Unlike in the movie Night of the Living Dead, where people could at least learn from television how to defeat the zombies, people in the Old West would be on their own.
It’s unusual to find a movie that successfully combines the Western and horror genres. We mostly see horror films inspired by Westerns, like Near Dark or Vampires. Films that feel like Westerns but include horror are even less common. However, one standout example is S. Craig Zahler’s Bone Tomahawk.
What Is Bone Tomahawk About?
Similar to many classic Westerns, Bone Tomahawk immerses you in the everyday life of a small town. However, this particular day in Bright Hope is anything but normal – the town is terrorized by a group of cannibals who have kidnapped several residents after descending from the mountains.
I’m really captivated by this story! It centers around Sheriff Franklin Hunt, brilliantly played by Kurt Russell, and his unlikely team. He’s joined by a mysterious gunslinger, John Brooder, portrayed by Matthew Fox, and his dependable deputy, Chicory, played by Richard Jenkins. Then there’s Arthur O’Dwyer – Patrick Wilson – who’s a bit of a reluctant hero because of an injured leg. But his wife was among those taken, and that’s all the motivation he needs to join the chase, even if he’s not thrilled about it!
By the end of the film, some of the people taken from Bright Hope will be rescued, but the rescue attempt will come at a terrible cost, with several members of the team dying in a violent way. The town itself will never be the same. If you’re looking for a relentlessly intense and uncompromising movie, Bone Tomahawk is it. Even if you usually avoid cannibal films – and that’s perfectly understandable – this one is worth watching.
How Did Bone Tomahawk Do with Critics & Where Is It Streaming?
Critics loved Bone Tomahawk when it came out, and it still boasts a strong 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers particularly highlighted the acting by Kurt Russell, Patrick Jenkins, and Matthew Fox, as well as the film’s beautiful visuals, which successfully evoke the feel of classic Westerns from the 1950s. The direction and writing also received praise.
The movie didn’t perform well in theaters. While it had a very limited release, it only earned $475,846 in the US, despite its low $1.8 million budget. Fortunately, it eventually made a profit through DVD and streaming sales.
Stream Bone Tomahawk on Hulu.
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2025-10-23 19:42