The tropes and character types associated withWesternfilms work well within the framework of a thriller, resulting in some truly captivating movies. The actions of an outlaw or bounty hunter in several Westerns make for a thrilling chase that keeps audiences on their toes. In many of these films, the protagonist is neither good nor bad, blurring the lines for audiences and creating a more suspenseful viewing experience, as seen inUnforgivenwith Clint Eastwood’s William Munny.
Films likeNo Country for Old MenorThe Propositiontell gritty, somewhat realistic stories, subverting the expectations of audiences greatly familiar with the genre’s formula and tropes.These films typically incorporate aspects of other genres like horror and actionto create a well-rounded and increasingly effective thrill for audiences. Though Westerns have always been associated with gunfights and rough protagonists, as the years have passed, moremodern Westernshave told darker stories, included more ruthless acts of violence, and featured heightened thrills.
The Stalking Moon
Cast
The Stalking Moon follows American scout Sam Varner as he attempts to escort Sarah Carver and her son from an Apache tribe in Arizona to New Mexico. Their journey becomes perilous when an Indian named Salvaje, who once held Sarah captive, relentlessly pursues them across the harsh landscape.
Some ofGregory Peck’s best moviesare the Westerns he starred in, and thoughThe Stalking Moonmay not rank high among his more notable work, it is still a compelling film.Peck plays Sam Varner, a scout from the Army. Based on T. V. Olsen’s novel of the same name, the film sees Sam come across an Apache reservation where he finds a woman and her son and chooses to rescue them after learning she was taken captive years ago.
Unlike a few other thrillers that incorporate action sequences in their suspense-filled narratives,The Stalking Moonopts to build an eerie atmosphere instead.
Unlike a few other thrillers that incorporate action sequences in their suspense-filled narratives,The Stalking Moonopts to build an eerie atmosphereinstead, concealing the identity of the mysterious antagonist for much of the film. The lack of action in the film is fittingly swapped out with a palpable tension that gradually builds to a thrilling, though somewhat predictable, final battle.
The Missing
The Missing is a western thriller directed by Ron Howard. Cate Blanchett stars as Maggie, a frontier woman whose daughter is kidnapped by renegades. Teaming up with her estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones), Maggie embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her daughter, facing danger and uncovering secrets along the way.
One of the morenotable Western movie starsin recent years is Tommy Lee Jones, who had roles in films likeNo Country for Old MenandThe Homesman. Jones also ledThe Missingin the early 2000s alongside Cate Blanchett. The two actors star in the film asan estranged father-daughter duo, Samuel and Maggie, who team up to find those responsible for the kidnapping of the latter’s daughter.
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The Missingisn’t among the best Western films of all time, but its story builds up a substantial amount of suspense, deftly balancing the reconciliation between Samuel and Maggie with the thrills of the rescue mission they’re on.Jones and Blanchett are a solid on-screen pairingand deliver compelling performances that have gone overlooked in their respective careers. Additionally,The Missingis committed to its authenticity, from the look of the film to the use of Apache language as well.
The Shooting
The Shooting, directed by Monte Hellman, is a Western film set in a desolate desert landscape. The story follows a mysterious woman who hires two men to help her track down her estranged husband. Starring Warren Oates and Jack Nicholson, the film explores themes of vengeance and survival, unfolding with a minimalistic and existential approach.
On paper, the story unfolding inThe Shootingappears to be a slow burn and one that isn’t worthy of being mentioned among the other Western thrillers. However, it’s the characters within the film that make up for the simple narrative.The Shootingfollows a former bounty hunter, Willet (Warren Oates), and his friend, Coley (Will Hutchins), being approached by a mysterious woman (Millie Perkins) who asks them to travel with her through the desert.
The Shootinghas a 100% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
Though the woman doesn’t offer an explanation as to why, the men travel with her anyway. During their journey, they’re joined by a gunslinger, Billy (Jack Nicholson), who harbors a dark secret. Much ofthe film’s thrill comes from the mystery surrounding each character. Though the ending isn’t as definitive as most audiences would prefer, it’s thought-provoking and unlike many other Western films released around the same time.
The Professionals
The Professionals is a classic Western film directed by Richard Brooks. Released in 1966, it stars Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, and Robert Ryan as a team of professional mercenaries hired to rescue a wealthy rancher’s kidnapped wife. The movie explores themes of loyalty, adventure, and moral ambiguity as the protagonists navigate perilous landscapes and confront various adversaries, blending action with complex character dynamics and a gripping narrative.
It’s safe to assume many of the best Western thrillers can be defined by their unique and absorbing stories, but that isn’t always the case. The simple setup inThe Professionalsprovides a solid and familiar foundation for the film’s thrilling mix of plot twists and stylish adventures. In the film, a group of gunslingers— Lee Marvin, Woody Strode, Burt Lancaster, and Robert Ryan—arehired by a wealthy rancher to rescue his wife from a bandit.
However, after finding the rancher’s wife, it’s clear she’s not in the sort of danger her husband had assumed she was in. The cast is a well-matched group, though Marvin is a particular standout as the group’s leader.The Professionalsmoves at a swift pace and features the beloved tropes fans of the Western genre are familiar with, resulting in a fun viewing experience.
3:10 to Yuma
A struggling rancher volunteers to escort a notorious outlaw to the train that will take him to prison. As the journey unfolds, both men engage in a psychological battle of wills, testing their morals and resolve while facing relentless danger from the outlaw’s gang and the harsh frontier.
The answer as to which version of3:10 to Yumais better varies from person to person. The original from 1957 is a significant film within the Western genre, butthe 2007 remake is just as special. The latter stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, each delivering one of the best performances of their careers. The film followsoutlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) after he’s capturedand is transported to trial by a rancher, Dan Evans (Bale), aboard the titular train.
On the train, the men hope to evade the rest of Wade’s gang, who are desperate for revenge against his captors.Crowe and Bale are convincing in their performances, as their characters learn to respect one another through their tense conversations. Such scenes are an appreciated contrast to the film’s riveting thrills and action sequences. Remakes of classic films, like the original3:10 to Yuma, aren’t always necessary or celebrated by audiences, but James Mangold’s is a rare exception.
The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino’s 2015 Western incorporates elements of the mystery and thriller genres. Set in 1877, The Hateful Eight follows eight strangers who seek refuge from a blizzard in an isolated stagecoach stopover. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, and Channing Tatum, The Hateful Eight was inspired by the Western TV shows of 1960s.
Though it’s slightly less impressive than Quentin Tarantino’s prior venture into the Western genre withDjango Unchained,The Hateful Eightis still a gripping story worthy of praise. The film has an impressive ensemble cast featuringSamuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Walton Goggins, and follows a group of strangers sheltering together in a stagecoach stopover as a blizzard passes by.The Hateful Eight’s timelineis nonlinear and provides a complex, yet rewarding viewing experience as bits of each character’s past are gradually revealed.
Despite having a longer runtime than most deem necessary,the film stillboasts elements of a solid thrillerdue toits use of Tarantino trademarks. Ennio Morricone’s eerie Oscar-winning score sets the ideal tone for the movie, andThe Hateful Eight’s despicable characters and unforgiving acts of violence create potent tension. These factors combined keep audiences engaged and on the edge of their seats.
The Proposition
The Proposition is a 2005 Australian Western film directed by John Hillcoat and written by Nick Cave. Set in the 1880s Outback, it stars Guy Pearce as an outlaw who is given a brutal ultimatum by a British lawman, played by Ray Winstone. Emily Watson and John Hurt also have significant roles. The film explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
Differing from the other Westerns listed,The Propositionis set in 1880s Australia and followsGuy Pearce’sCharlie Burns, who is offered the chance to save his younger brotherfrom being executed. The catch is that the only way for Charlie’s younger brother to be saved is if he kills his older brother, who is wanted for more heinous crimes. The vast landscape adds to the film’s bleak tone, and there’s a bit of a slow burn as the tension within the family presents itself.
Still, the film never loses the audience’s attention.The Propositionis undoubtedly one ofthe best Australian Westernsdue to its pitiless nature and authentic depiction of the Indigenous Australian culture. The latter isn’t always a guaranteed aspect of Western films, butThe Proposition’s cast and crew were considerate in their attention to detail and Indigenous Australian actors were also featured in supporting roles.
Bone Tomahawk
Bone Tomahawk is a Western film that follows Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who gathers together a group of fighters to save three kidnapped victims from a clan of cannibals. After the town’s doctor is kidnapped along with two others, forcing the sheriff to partner with the town’s Native American professor and find the tribe before it’s too late.
Kurt Russell is no stranger to the Western genre, as he got his start in acting by playing the titular role inThe Travels of Jaimie McPheetersat a young age. One of Russell’s more famous Westerns isBone Tomahawk, in which he playsa sheriff leading a rescue mission to save three peoplewho’ve been captured by a group of cannibals. While it has its thrills,Bone Tomahawkis admittedly different from the other Westerns mentioned.
Westerns are known for their gritty stories and action-packed shootouts, but most aren’t as intense asBone Tomahawk, which takes these darker elements to another level.
Bone Tomahawkhas a bit of a slow burn, but the pacing is deliberate as suspense and tension increasingly build, securing audiences' full attention by the time the film’shorror elements are introduced. The film has been praised largely because of its ability to blend traditional elements of Western films with the creatively terrifying inclusion of the Troglodyte characters. Westerns are known for their gritty stories and action-packed shootouts, but most aren’t as intense asBone Tomahawk, whichtakes these darker elements to another level.
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men is a western crime-thriller based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy and directed by the Cohen Brothers. Following three protagonists, the film centers around a large $2,000,000+ cache of dirty money lost near the Rio Grande. With a veteran who finds it, a hitman who will stop at nothing to get it, and a sheriff trying to investigate the crimes connected to it, all roads lead to death and mayhem as they find themselves in each other’s crosshairs.
No Country for Old Menhas one ofthe best villains in the Western genrein Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigurh. Bardem delivers a fully realized performance as the menacing figure, making it equally frustrating and fascinating to see where his character winds up by the end of the film. Based on the 2005 novel of the same name,the film depicts a sort of cat-and-mouse gamebetween Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a man who comes across a briefcase full of cash after a drug deal goes wrong, and Anton, the hitman hired to retrieve the money.
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The film presents the harsh reality of a bleak world with Llewelyn and Anton playing opposite sides in the changing world Tommy Lee Jones' Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is left grappling with inNo Country for Old Men’s ending. Theunexpected ending, while confusing and divisive for some, is the ideal way to tie in the film’s themes and wrap up Anton’s thrilling pursuit.
Unforgiven
Unforgiven follows retired gunslinger Will Munny as he is drawn back into his former life for a final mission, seeking justice with his old partner and a young outlaw called The Schofield Kid.
Throughout his career,Clint Eastwood has directed numerous films, winning Best Director at the Academy Awards for his 1992 Western,Unforgiven. The film is regarded asone of the best modern Westernsand one of the best in Eastwood’s filmography. Eastwood stars in the film as retired outlaw William Munny. Now living on a farm, Will is brought back into action when a reward is posted for the murder of two cowboys.
Eastwood’s film has no shortage of thrills or violence, especially during its final moments, and is an equal parts tribute to and dismantling of the genre’s most well-known tropes. The film is covered in moral ambiguity andsubverts the expectations audiences have of a Western narrative.Unforgiven’s story is engrossing due to its unexpected themes and strong performances from its cast, includingGene Hackman as Bill Daggett, the corrupt sheriff.
