Writer: S. Craig Zahler (Screenplay)
Starring: Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins, Lili Simmons, Evan Jonigkeit, David Arquette, Fred Melamed, Sid Haig
Plot: Four men set out in the Wild West to rescue a group of captives from cannibalistic cave dwellers.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Throwback Horror
Story: Bone Tomahawk starts with two scavengers Buddy (Haig) and Purvis (Arquette) dealing with their kills before trying to escape through an ancient burial ground before coming under attack. 11 days later we meet Sheriff Hunt (Russell) where Purvis has turned up in his town.
After Purvis gets shot Samantha (Simmons) has to treat him but during the night Indians attack and kidnap everyone from the Sheriff’s office. The morning after Sheriff Hunt, Samantha’s husband Arthur (Wilson), Brooder (Fox) and Chicory (Jenkins) set out to get their people back against a group of Troglodyte an inbred group of cannibals.
Bone Tomahawk gives us a horror western that gives each genre the right amount of time with the first half being mostly a western adventure and the final act being all about the cannibal horror. Giving each part of the story works well because it makes us care about the characters involved. It could be fair to say it could give us a few ideas from previous ideas The Hills Have Eyes is one, but a cannibal western really does come off original.
Actor Review
Kurt Russell: Sheriff Hunt is leading the mission to get the people back, he is strict but fair to anyone who crosses his path. He uses all his knowledge even if he clashes with Arthur and Brooder on different matters along their journey. Kurt is good in this role showing he still has the leading man mentality.
Patrick Wilson: Arthur is the injured cowboy who goes to get his wife back from the Indians that have taken her. He shouldn’t be on the mission and will not stop even with his healing broken leg to save her. Patrick is good but sometimes comes off very annoying out of the four leads.
Matthew Fox: Brooder is a well-dressed gunslinger who knows how to get the job done, he boasts about the number of Indians he has killed and uses his skills to deal with any threats that could come towards the men. Matthew is great in this role showing that he likes to become different characters with ease.
Richard Jenkins: Chicory is the old deputy that has nothing left in the town forcing the Sheriff to let him go on the mission, he has medical training which comes in handy while dealing with Arthur’s injuries. Richard is good in this supporting role.
Support Cast: Bone Tomahawk doesn’t have too much of a supporting cast with the villains not being seen until late on and the rest of the town only in the opening scenes.
Director Review: S. Craig Zahler – S. Craig gives us a good horror western that is rare in the world in the horror.
Adventure: Bone Tomahawk gives our four men an adventure across the open world looking for the cannibals.
Horror: Bone Tomahawk saves the horror until late in the film where it all gets let out.
Thriller: Bone Tomahawk keeps us wondering what will happen and what the enemy is really capable off.
Western: Bone Tomahawk gives us a feel of an old school western for our four unlikely men traveling in search for an unknown enemy.
Settings: Bone Tomahawk uses the settings to make you feel like you are part of the classic western.
Special Effects: Bone Tomahawk has great effects when it comes to the death scenes not wanting to ever hold back on brutality.
Suggestion: Bone Tomahawk is one for all the horror fans to enjoy. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Horse stolen but one and not knowing what has happened to it.
Worst Part: Being picky I would say I would have like to have seen kidnapping happen to show what the cannibals are really capable off.
Action Scene Of The Film: Final fight.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Could have one.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $1.8 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 12 Minutes
Tagline: John Brooder: An armed gentleman
Franklin Hunt: The law
Samantha O’Dwyer: The town doctor
Chicory: The back-up deputy
Arthur O’Dwyer: The cowboy (injured)
Overall: Horror for the fans to enjoy filled with blood, gore and suspense
Rating