8 Subversive Western Movies That Are Impossible to Predict

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Classic Westerns often follow a familiar pattern. Typically, a talented young gunslinger or lawman steps in to save a town from a villainous outlaw or powerful, corrupt businessman. These stories frequently include a sheriff who is either weak or dishonest, though sometimes the sheriff is the one who rises to the occasion. Add a saloon to the mix, and you’ve got all the essential ingredients of a classic Western.

The saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ often holds true, but some filmmakers have taken risks with Westerns, creating stories that surprise and delight. These films are captivating, often because of unexpected plot twists or, alternatively, because of their memorable characters and the way they blend elements from different genres.

8
‘Bone Tomahawk’ (2015)


RLJ Entertainment

Often called the scariest Western film ever made, Bone Tomahawk is set in the late 1800s. Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell) gathers a group of men to rescue kidnapped people from a terrifying group of inbred cannibals called the Troglodytes. The rescue mission goes well at first, but problems arise when some members of the group try to take charge and change the plan – a dangerous situation when facing such brutal enemies.

Craig Zahler Tavernier directs this standout Western-horror film, which follows a sheriff whose peaceful and predictable life is suddenly disrupted by unexpected violence. Kurt Russell delivers a nuanced performance as the sheriff, and Patrick Wilson is strong in a supporting role as a resolute husband struggling with a leg injury.

Let me tell you, Bone Tomahawk really delivers something different. It’s a Western, yes, but with a truly unique threat – cannibals! You don’t see that every day, and it’s what immediately sets this film apart. What I also appreciated was the dynamic within the group trying to solve the problem. Unlike some films where heroes are constantly at each other’s throats, this posse works together. It reminded me a bit of classic teamwork you see in movies like The Magnificent Seven or Tombstone, where everyone’s on the same page, focused on the task at hand.

7
‘The Harder They Fall’ (2021)


Netflix

Nat Love, a skilled gunslinger played by Jonathan Majors, is determined to get revenge on Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), the man who murdered his parents. After Rufus is released from prison, he takes over the small town of Redwood with the help of his crew, including Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield). Will Nat and his reunited gang be able to overcome Rufus in The Harder They Fall?

Jeymes Samuel’s directorial debut draws inspiration from the lives of real Wild West figures like Cherokee Bill and Jim Beckwourth, resulting in a visually stunning film. He subtly addresses issues like bullying, poor leadership, and corruption, and gets excellent performances from his cast. Jonathan Majors is incredibly compelling, and Idris Elba is brilliantly villainous – despite being known as a genuinely kind person off-screen.

It’s rare to see Westerns with Black leads and villains, making The Harder They Fall a special and unmissable film. Traditionally, the genre largely ignores Black characters, or limits them to minor, stereotypical roles. This movie breaks that mold, even subverting expectations with a surprising connection between the characters Nat and Rufus.

6
‘El Topo’ (1970)


ABKCO

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s film, El Topo, is considered a key influence on the acid western genre. The movie follows El Topo, played by Jodorowsky himself, as he initially seeks to become the best gunslinger in the country. During his journey through the desert, he meets a woman who leads a community of people with physical differences. Later in the film, El Topo gives up his violent ways and dedicates himself to a monastic life.

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s beautifully sad and unusual Western, El Topo, is now available again through Amazon. This enduring classic offers a thought-provoking look at what drives us and how we connect with others, following a man named Topo as he searches for meaning. What makes the film special is how skillfully Jodorowsky tells the story, avoiding obvious clichés and over-the-top drama. Instead, he uses dreamlike imagery and blends religious and philosophical ideas from various traditions.

This Mexican Western is utterly bizarre and brilliantly breaks all the traditional rules of the genre. Forget typical Western tropes – there are no sheriffs or tense standoffs. Instead, you’ll witness incredibly strange scenes, like a man riding a horse with his naked son, a corpse covered in bees, and a striking sequence reminiscent of the biblical story of Moses, where water miraculously flows from a rock after the main character prays and shoots at it. It’s no surprise that David Lynch has said this film heavily influenced his work.

5
‘Dead Man’ (1995)


Miramax Films

Accountant William Blake (Johnny Depp) has terrible luck in the film Dead Man. He travels to a small Ohio town to start a new job, only to be met with hostility – even chased away with a rifle! Things quickly go from bad to worse, and as his professional life crumbles, William begins to lose his grip on reality.

Though deeply sad, Deadman is a truly exceptional film. Johnny Depp gives a fantastic performance, and the entire cast is excellent. The beautiful black-and-white cinematography by Robby Müller powerfully enhances the movie’s overall effect.

Westerns usually feature courageous heroes, but Blake is different – he’s a flawed and sorrowful figure. He finds himself wrongly accused of a crime, and that’s when the story really takes off. He encounters a strange man who leads him on an unexpected spiritual quest. Instead of being in control, Blake is led along the way, facing both frightening and wonderful surprises.

4
‘Tepepa’ (1969)


Magna

Tepepa, a revolutionary leader played by Tomás Milián, is captured by Colonel Cascorro (Orson Welles) and sentenced to death. However, he’s unexpectedly saved by Dr. Henry Price (John Steiner), an English doctor. Tepepa later learns that Price isn’t a selfless rescuer, but is actually seeking revenge for the death of his beloved. This puts Price in a difficult position, forcing him to choose between his duty as a doctor to save lives and his personal desire for vengeance.

I was really captivated by Tetepa. It’s not your typical thriller; it’s a deep dive into what drives people, the messy side of relationships, and a quiet sense of wanting something you can’t have. Instead of jump scares, director Giulio Petroni creates this incredibly intense and unsettling connection between Tomás Milián and John Steiner, who I thought was fantastic as the innocent-looking doctor. It’s a really haunting film that sticks with you.

The film Tetepa is a traditional Zapata western with a unique twist: the villain isn’t evil, but a victim of the hero’s actions, and is simply seeking retribution. The hero doesn’t feel guilt for his killings, believing they were necessary for the revolution. However, not everyone agrees with his perspective, and he ultimately meets a violent end at the hands of Price.

3
‘Django Unchained’ (2012)


Sony Pictures Releasing

Quentin Tarantino’s film, Django Unchained, takes place in the American Old West and the pre-Civil War South, a time marked by intense racial discrimination. The story centers on Django (Jamie Foxx), a former slave who partners with Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a clever German bounty hunter. Together, they track down outlaws while also searching for Django’s wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who is held captive by the cruel plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Waltz and DiCaprio deliver clever and captivating performances in this film, which rightfully earned Oscar recognition. Samuel L. Jackson is deliberately unsettling as a truly frightening and disturbing character, reminiscent of Uncle Ruckus. Kerry Washington also shines, showcasing her considerable talent.

Rather than following the typical Western formula, Django Unchained stands apart from films by stars like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood by focusing on the issues of racism and slavery. Initially, it’s unclear if the partnership between Django and Schultz will last, or if they’ll even succeed against such powerful opponents. However, Tarantino delivers unexpected twists and turns.

2
‘Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid’ (1969)


20th Century Studios

The film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid follows the adventures of outlaw leader Butch Cassidy, played by Paul Newman, and his energetic partner, the Sundance Kid, played by Robert Redford, as they head to Bolivia. Butch believes Bolivia will be a safe haven for outlaws, free from the law, but he soon discovers he’s mistaken.

George Roy Hill expertly blends realistic action with emotional storytelling in this moving film about two lost criminals. It’s filled with memorable scenes, including the famous final shot of the outlaws walking into the gunfire of the Bolivian Army after being trapped. The film concludes there, leaving their fate unknown.

I’ve always loved how Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid flips the typical Western story on its head. Usually, you have a clear good guy and bad guy, and the bad guy always loses. But this movie? It’s different. We actually get to experience most of the story with the outlaws, seeing things from their side, which is just brilliant.

1
‘Unforgiven’ (1992)


Warner Bros.

Considered one of the best Westerns ever made by the American Film Institute, Unforgiven features Clint Eastwood as William Munny, an aging former gunslinger. He’s called out of retirement to help a group of prostitutes get revenge on an outlaw who brutally attacked one of their own. Morgan Freeman plays Ned Logan, Munny’s longtime friend and partner, who joins him on this dangerous mission.

The cast in this ’90s Western is fantastic – you couldn’t ask for a better one. Alongside Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman delivers a standout performance as a stern sheriff determined to keep bounty hunters out of his town. The story is believable and avoids far-fetched scenarios, making its Best Picture Oscar win no surprise at all.

As a Western fan, I always noticed how older actors were usually relegated to the roles of fathers or wise mentors. But this is Clint Eastwood, and he had to be the central figure, didn’t he? It’s not a film packed with non-stop action, but honestly, it’s incredibly engaging. Some of my favorite moments are the quieter ones – Munny just connecting with the natural world, finding comfort in small things, or simply having a conversation. It’s a really moving film, and at its core, Unforgiven feels like a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to a simpler way of life, carried by the weight and wisdom of these two older characters.

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2025-12-12 21:38