7 Western Antiheroes (Almost) Better Than Doc Holliday in Tombstone

Val Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday in the 1993 Western film has become iconic over time. Traditionally, Western heroes were portrayed as purely good, but filmmakers like Sergio Leone started introducing more complex and flawed characters. Kilmer’s Doc Holliday fits this evolving trend, and many subsequent films and performances have been influenced by his nuanced portrayal.

Doc Holliday wasn’t a typical hero; he was more of a flawed character, and that’s made him a fascinating figure for actors like Val Kilmer. This complexity has paved the way for other nuanced characters in Westerns, some who build on Holliday’s legacy and others who offer a completely different take on the gunslinger archetype.

Ian McShane is a Clear Cut Anti-Hero as Al Swearenengen in Deadwood

Al Swearengen became a memorable character on HBO’s Deadwood through his difficult efforts to stay in charge of the rapidly growing gold-mining town. He’s a tough and scheming man, but also smart enough to realize that Deadwood needs someone to maintain order to survive. Swearengen can change in an instant, going from violent anger to cool practicality – he’s both a source of trouble and a possible fix to it.

Al Swearengen is a complex character – definitely not a hero, but not a simple villain either. He runs Deadwood’s brothel with a firm hand and often manipulates people, but he also wants the town to succeed. While he profits from the town’s weaknesses, he’s surprisingly essential to keeping the community from collapsing. Without his leadership, Deadwood probably wouldn’t have survived its early, unstable days.

Swearengen is a flawed character who’s done many bad things, but he’s strangely essential to Deadwood. Without him, the town would likely descend into complete chaos. He offers a rough kind of order, even if he’s ruthless and primarily motivated by his own interests. People are afraid of Swearengen, but they also respect his ability to get results.

Al Swearengen shares a lot in common with Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Both characters hint at a sharp mind hidden behind a tough exterior, and they’re fiercely loyal to their allies – Swearengen to his crew, and Kilmer’s character to the Earp brothers. Fans of Westerns often consider both performances to be benchmarks for portraying complex, morally gray characters.

Josh Brolin’s Llewelyn Moss is Relatable and Complex in No Country for Old Men

The 2007 film No Country for Old Men presented audiences with a compelling modern anti-hero. Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Llewelyn Moss feels authentic because he’s motivated by understandable desires. Moss is a regular, working-class man whose life is dramatically altered by a single decision, and his imperfections make him a particularly memorable character.

Moss is a down-to-earth and believable character, which makes viewers question how they themselves might act in his position. Driven by greed, he finds himself in a difficult situation, but his refusal to give up is striking. This determination, along with his cleverness and strong sense of duty, makes him a character we both respect and pity.

Llewelyn Moss fits the mold of an anti-hero, but when compared to a truly villainous character like Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, he appears more heroic. This contrast makes audiences naturally want to support him. Moss is positioned as the one being pursued, and he’s clearly the less dangerous of the two men. His story emphasizes the unpredictable nature of life, demonstrating how a single choice can have unforeseen and escalating consequences.

Walton Goggins’ Boyd Crowder Took Advantage of His Second Chance in Justified

The crime drama Justified, which premiered in the 2010s and blends Western and modern elements, quickly became popular. A key part of its success was the compelling relationship between actors Walton Goggins and Timothy Olyphant. Their characters shared a past and similar backgrounds, but made very different life choices. Timothy Olyphant played Raylan Givens, who rejected a life of crime to become a law enforcement officer, while Walton Goggins portrayed Boyd Crowder, who fully embraced it.

Crowder is captivating because he’s charming, but also subtly threatening and incredibly smart – he has a natural, commanding presence, much like a preacher. This charm hides a capacity for violence, creating a volatile mix that keeps people guessing what he’ll do next. He’s a fascinating figure because he can make you both trust and fear him at the same time.

Like Doc Holliday in the movie Tombstone, the character Crowder has a thoughtful side, but his beliefs are more about what benefits him at the moment and tend to change frequently. Originally, Crowder was intended to be a smaller role. However, the strong connection between actor Stephen Goggins and Timothy Olyphant, along with Goggins’ captivating screen presence, led the writers to give his character a much larger part. Looking back, it’s difficult to imagine Justified becoming the popular show it is without him.

Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler Defines Anti-Heroes in Yellowstone

Cole Hauser’s character, Rip Wheeler, quickly became a standout on the Paramount show Yellowstone. As John Dutton’s trusted enforcer, Rip solves problems decisively, however necessary. While he can be tough and even violent, he’s deeply loyal and caring towards the people he loves. Though he often appears as a strongman, Rip is a surprisingly complex and emotionally vulnerable character.

Rip isn’t driven by a desire for recognition; he’s motivated by a need to survive and his unwavering loyalty. Right from the start of Yellowstone, it’s obvious he’ll do anything to safeguard the Dutton family and their ranch. Cole Hauser delivers a subtle performance, portraying Rip Wheeler as quietly intense, always hinting at a powerful force beneath the surface.

Rip is a man of few words and rarely shows emotion. While he uses violence to protect the ranch, this makes him a complex character – a reflection of the harsh realities of life in the American West. His connection with Beth reveals a softer side, proving he’s far more than just a tough guy.

Timothy Olyphant’s Raylan Givens is a Modern Gunslinger in Justified

Timothy Olyphant plays Raylan Givens, a U.S. Marshal in Justified who isn’t afraid to skirt the rules when he feels it’s necessary. He prioritizes getting results, even if it means stepping outside of legal and ethical boundaries. This willingness to do whatever it takes is what makes him such a fascinating and compelling character – a classic example of a modern anti-hero.

He doesn’t follow strict rules, instead choosing how to handle each situation as it comes, while remaining a flawed and relatable character. He wrestles with his own imperfections, regrets, and a complex connection with Boyd Crowder. The captivating dynamic and shared history between the actors Olyphant and Goggins are central to the show’s compelling narrative.

Jonathan Majors’ Nat Love is Driven by Revenge in The Harder They Fall

In the 2021 film The Harder They Fall, Nat Love is a complex character – a criminal and gang leader driven by a desire for revenge. He’s presented as an anti-hero because, while not a traditional hero, his motivations are understandable. The film establishes a tragic backstory for Nat, allowing the audience to sympathize with his need for revenge, even though his actions aren’t rooted in a pursuit of justice.

Nat operates by his own code of ethics, which isn’t based on any formal law. While he leads a gang, they only target other criminals, enacting a personal and ever-changing sense of what’s right. The story offers a fresh take on the classic Western gunslinger, and Jonathan Majors delivers a compelling performance, blending charm and strength. He makes viewers think about where the boundary lies between seeking justice and committing a crime.

Jeff Daniels’ Frank Griffin is Scary and Complex in Godless

In Godless, Jeff Daniels plays a complex character who isn’t quite a hero, but isn’t entirely a villain either. While he does awful things, his complicated past and motivations are more typical of a flawed hero. He’s the leader of a dangerous gang, and surprisingly, he seems to truly care about the people in it.

Despite being a violent and cruel person, the actor Daniels portrays the character with a surprising amount of humanity. Viewers understand that Griffin’s difficult upbringing and environment have made him who he is, even if they don’t condone his behavior. He earns the loyalty of his followers by recognizing and rewarding skill within his group.

2025-12-07 05:00