Netflix Westerns: A Ranked Roundup
Howdy, partners! Netflix has a surprising number of original Westerns, ranging from critically acclaimed masterpieces to…well, let's just say some are better than others. We're breaking down every Netflix original Western movie and ranking them from worst to best. So saddle up, grab your popcorn, and let's ride!
The Western genre was once king of cinema, but many studios now see it as a tired, old trope; however some extremely talented and gifted creative professionals remain. But Netflix, with its vast resources, is keeping this amazing genre alive, giving many an opportunity for some really talented people who have some fresh, interesting ideas to produce a modern iteration to some beloved classics!
The Bottom of the Barrel: Questionable Choices
Let's start with the not-so-great ones. These Movies will leave you reaching for the remote (or maybe a stronger drink!).
- The Ridiculous 6 (2015): This Adam Sandler vehicle is universally panned and definitely falls short in terms of laughs, quality acting, writing and the actual portrayal and attempt at portraying Westerns.
- Paradox (2017): More like a long music video celebrating Neil Young's album than a film; this hardly feels like it actually has any narrative value, with die-hard fans likely being the only people to even remotely enjoy it, which will not be many.
These two Movies highlight a sad reality – not every attempt at this genre will actually work, especially with low budget attempts or even high-budget attempts with bad writing and awkward directing!
The Decent: Middle-of-the-Road Westerns
These flicks aren't terrible but lack a certain something to place them in the higher ranks, many of these will feature some exceptional actors!
- The Killer (2023): A Brazilian Western – a cool take on the genre with some very fresh ideas! Though some elements will be somewhat generic it gives some really unique flair thanks to the unique environment and cultural lens used to capture the unique and specific style involved.
- Thar (2022): This Indian neo-noir thriller isn't your typical Western; in fact it completely changes everything we know! Combining a crime thriller into this setting and using the landscape of the Thar Desert makes this interesting even though the storytelling aspect has some pacing issues.
- Concrete Cowboy (2020): An urban Western set in Philadelphia? Yes, it sounds really unusual; a unique entry combining the unique settings of modern Philadelphia with this coming-of-age drama, bringing up a surprising story! More thoughtful and tender; great cast and performances! Still not quite the best for action fans, some might find the story slow-paced
This lineup emphasizes the creativity and diverse storytelling surrounding Westerns; you can find unique fresh styles of movies here that will surely leave an impact on the audience!
The Good Stuff: Critically Acclaimed and Compelling
Now, we're getting into the heavy hitters – the Westerns that earn awards, and high ratings for critics. These are truly top-tier efforts that use excellent directing, amazing actors and good stories!
- The Power of the Dog (2021): A stunning modern Western featuring a killer cast (Benedict Cumberbatch!) which garnered a whopping 12 Academy Award nominations; showcasing some really incredible directing, writing and performances. Although praised this movie will probably divide audiences due to glacial pacing and some overly-obvious symbolism.
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018): The Coen Brothers' anthology is quirky and uneven but is a unique story that is well directed! The comedy/drama and various exciting storylines showcase the brothers’ capabilities! But the anthology style does lead to an inconsistent level of quality and storytelling.
These two films truly emphasize that this is still a valuable and exciting genre, showcasing amazing versatility that hasn’t been seen in this level of cinematic presentation and truly elevates the whole viewing experience for audiences!
The Top Dog: A Masterpiece of Modern Westerns
And the champion of Netflix’s Westerns goes to…
- The Harder They Fall (2021): A classic revenge story done right! Excellent performances by Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, and others showcase what makes this genre special and gives such an enjoyable experience for viewers! A stellar performance all around; highly praised by audiences and critics alike. The superb pacing, the writing and acting are superb – one of the best modern Westerns you can watch!
This film stands as a testament that Westerns still hold plenty of unique, exciting stories. The superb writing, amazing acting, and superb execution showcase what this genre is still capable of! The acting here really makes this memorable; certainly a masterpiece you won’t regret watching!
