Netflix’s ‘American Primeval’ Is a Brutally Violent Western Led by a Compelling Taylor Kitsch: TV Review
This film opens during the Utah War, a violent dispute between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, led by Governor Brigham Young (Kim Coates), and the U.S. Army. A neat and stressed woman, Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin), along with her son Devin (Preston Mota), step off a train far from their home in Philadelphia. Despite being three weeks late due to inconsistent train schedules, Sara is resolute on continuing westward to reunite with Devin’s father in Crook Springs, California. However, upon discovering that their escort has already departed, and no one at Fort Bridger, run by mountain man Jim Bridger (Shea Whigham), is willing to accompany them to their destination, Sara faces a challenging journey ahead.