If you have a thing for Western thrillers, a very underrated film is streaming on Netflix, and it has become one of the most-watched movies on the platform. Though it isn’t part of any known franchise and doesn’t feature Taylor Sheridan’s involvement, the film is a brilliant execution of the genre that easily overshadows any other big studio film. Featuring Game of Thrones icon Peter Dinklage, this dark tale of revenge is a solid pick for those wanting to look beyond the genre’s biggest names and explore the underworld of indie cinema. Trust us when we say you might want to pick this for a quick 105-minute watch tonight.
An All-Star Cast Leads a Dark and Violent Descent Into a Lawless Nightmare
Dinklage stars in The Thicket, the latest hit on Netflix’s rankings and one of the most underappreciated Westerns in recent years. In the film, Jack and Lula lose their father to smallpox, right as Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis) and her murderous posse arrive in town. When the orphans’ grandfather, Caleb, decides to take them to safety, they’re confronted by Bill and her gang. Caleb is killed, Lula is kidnapped by the infamous outlaw, and Jack escapes.
The young man has no other choice but to hire Reginald Jones (Dinklage), a bounty hunter who does everything in his power to rescue Lula and win the bounty that Jack offers him. The problem is that Bill shows no mercy to her opponents, and Reginald and Jack also become the targets of a man seeking revenge for a past wrong committed by Reginald. Their odds are not the best, but they have no choice but to venture into the lawless wilderness to bring Lula back to safety.
Aside from Dinklage and Lewis, The Thicket features an impressive cast that includes Macon Blair (Oppenheimer, The Toxic Avenger), James Hetfield (Metallica’s frontman and a very underrated actor), Esmé Creed-Miles (Hannah), and Levon Hawke (Ethan Hawke’s son, who starred in Blink Twice and Marty Supreme). Joining them in supporting roles are Leslie Grace, Andrew Schulz, Gbenga Akinnagbe, and Arliss Howard.
‘The Thicket’ Finally Gets the Recognition It Deserves
The Thicket received critical acclaim upon release, with most viewers highlighting things such as the production design, the cast, and the ability to present such a dark story while following the conventions of the genre. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has earned an 80% critics’ score and a 78% audience score. Our very own Julian Roman hailed the film as “a cinematic beast on all fronts,” and wrote: “Every aspect resonates after a gut punch ending that’s not easy to digest. The biggest quibble is that it should have been longer and more epic… Audiences suffered through three labored hours of Kevin Costner’s Horizon. The Thicket‘s characters are richly explored, but you are left wanting more of this brilliant Western.”
The film is the latest surprise hit on Netflix’s charts. After a short theatrical run in September 2024, it went to the free streaming service Tubi and has now moved to Netflix, where it has finally found the success it deserves. At the time of writing, it sits in the No. 5 spot among the most-watched movies in the U.S., ranking above Jason Bourne and Twilight.
- Release Date
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September 5, 2024
- Runtime
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108 Minutes
