Bone Tomahawk review – a cult classic in the making

by | 1 Jan 2017 | Film Reviews

‘In the Wild West at the turn of the century four men ride to the rescue of a woman captured by a cannibalistic tribe.’

Mixing another genre with the Western and creating what is commonly known as the Weird West sub-genre is always risky and hard to get right. For every success, like Back to the Future: Part Three (1990), there are numerous misses – Wild Wild West (1999) and Cowboys and Aliens (2011) spring to mind. When done well though, it can bring something fresh and unique to that classic period setting. Fortunately, S. Craig Zahler, with his directorial debut, Bone Tomahawk, has done exactly that by combining a horror element to this wild west movie and making something more distinct and original.

Set in the small town of Bright Hope the story (written by Zahler as well) mostly focuses on four different men as they take a perilous journey to rescue a small number of their townsfolk who were abducted by a tribe of cave dwelling and cannibalistic “Savages”. Leading the charge is Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell) followed by his deputy, Chicory (Richard Jenkins). Also volunteering their services are Patrick Wilson’s injured foreman, Arthur O’Dwyer, whose wife was taken, and John Brooder, an educated gunslinger.

It’s a well-made film with its only flaw being that the two genres are so well blended together that some might be put off and want one style more than the other. Those who can get past this though will be rewarded with a unique and fresh viewing experience.

Right from the start of that cold open, Zahler makes it clear that Bone Tomahawk isn’t going to be for the squeamish, and that he isn’t going to shy away from the brutal and violent realities of frontier living. He also takes his time in establishing the setting and giving over a significant amount of that first act to introduce us to the citizens of Bright Hope and letting us have a sense of who they are and why we should care and get invested in their lives.

In fact, the whole film is very character driven and those expecting a straight up action packed gore fest will be disappointed as Zahler is just as interested in the journey of these individuals as well as the concluding confrontation. That’s not to say that he isn’t successful in creating an unnerving atmosphere in those opening scenes when these “Troglodytes” first come into the town, which sets the tone for the rest of the film, but he is more concerned in developing our four rescuers as a big bulk of the films runtime is given over to their dangerous trek across the wild west.

Over that time we really get to know them in detail, their personalities, motivations and morals; he really fleshes them out over that time. Indeed, all four actors bring something different to the table yet also complement each other’s character so well. They’re very compelling, which makes a refreshing change when usually on this sort of film the only thing they would be good for is dying horrible deaths.

Kurt Russell is great as the kind but no-nonsense Sheriff with Richard Jenkins deputy bringing a touch of deadpan humour with his unintentional tactless demeanour, in which he says the first thing that comes out of his head. Wilson also gives an excellent performance of a desperate man, frustrated by a broken leg but determined to save his wife. Even Fox’s Brooker is an interesting character as he’s an educated but ruthless man who comes with his own tragic backstory.

Zahler shows a great love for these characters he’s created and brings a very deliberate and slow pace so we get the time to really know them as they travel, but it never feels boring as we know it’s also building to something. Besides, until we reach that climax Bone Tomahawk is a beautifully shot film to look at, with Zahler making the most of the wide open space of the Paramount ranch where it was filmed, and using grand landscape shots that really sell the isolation this group are about to enter and the unforgivable natural elements of the old west.

There’s nothing adventurous or exciting about it, and you can read it on each characters face: the knowledge that none of them might come out of this alive. Zahler does a great job of conveying these harsh environments and showing us that the travelling alone is just as likely to kill them.

Those who are in it for the more horror aspects though will be rewarded. If they can endure that journey with our protagonists the climatic third act will more than make up for it as Zahler isn’t afraid to let go of any restraint or inhibition when it comes to the gore and show the utter savagery of these monstrous cannibals who see anyone outside of their tribe as a slab of meat. They are a fearsome and terrifying creation with a spine chilling shriek that will easily give you shivers and make you grateful you’re not there.

This effective and horrifying final is the payoff of Zahler taking his time with developing our four protagonists, making them feel more real, and even likeable in their own way. It’s made the more impactful experience because we really care for these people and want to see them survive. This is the difference between a good horror film and a bad one; the horror is way more potent when we have well rounded characters who aren’t just fodder for gruesome deaths.

‘Bone Tomahawk holds up both as a horror film and as a Western.’

Although it won’t be to everyone’s taste, those with patience and looking for something a bit different to watch won’t go wrong with this film. With a strong focus on characterisation and offering something original, Zahler’s debut will surly become a cult classic over time.

David Axcell

Film Critic

David has quite a broad taste in film which includes big budget blockbusters and small indie films; including International and Arthouse cinema. As long as it’s good in that particular genre, he’ll watch anything.

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