Quentin Tarantino Regards This Netflix Hit as one of the Finest Westerns Ever Made
Actor-turned-writer/director Taylor Sheridan is the master of the modern Western. Whether it’s the Oscar-nominated Hell or High Water or the long-running series Yellowstone, if there’s a recent Western you’ve enjoyed, odds are, Sheridan was somehow involved in its conception. Largely, too, they’ve been both critical and commercial successes. There have been a few misfires, including the Sicario sequel and Angelina Jolie vehicle Those Who Wish Me Dead (which I actually enjoyed a lot), though across the board, Sheridan has all but single-handedly transitioned one of the most classic genres to the contemporary age.
Which meant it was only a matter of time before another Western connoisseur shared his thoughts. I’m talking about Quentin Tarantino, of course, who didn’t mince words when it came to Yellowstone in particular. Appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience several months ago, Tarantino said of Yellowstone: “When it’s over, it’s out of my head. It’s completely gone.” He dismissed the show as a soap opera, arguing it embodies the worst of modern Western sensibilities. But that begs the question. Other than Tarantino’s own works, are there any Westerns he’s enjoyed? Yes, actually, and not only does it feature another Sheridan script, it recently dominated the Netflix charts.
Watch the Trailer Below
Per Netflix: A tracker with the US Fish and Wildlife Service assists a rookie FBI agent who’s investigating a teen girl’s murder on a remote Wyoming reservation.
Quentin Tarantino’s core claim was that Western movies are often better than their serialized counterparts, and in the case of Wind River, he’s certainly right. It’s my favorite Sheridan script, and the lead performances from Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen are true marvels. It’s thrilling, tense, and oh-so gritty, everything you and Tarantino would hope a Western would be.
It certainly helps that there’s a pretty compelling (and tragically relevant) murder mystery at its core. In true Western fashion, the murder becomes less about the who and when, more about the why and the broader societal implications (and complacency) that allowed that murder to take place at all. Oh, and that “Why are you flanking me?” scene in the climax? Probably the most intense standoff in a movie ever. Excuse me while I go watch Wind River again, if only to make Quentin Tarantino proud.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Taylor Sheridan’s work? Any plans to heed Tarantino’s advice and watch Wind River on Netflix? If you do, let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
Categorized: Streaming News
