Yellowstone’s departure from the Western genre market has created an opening, which Netflix swiftly moved to occupy, much like a horse galloping towards the horizon. In this process, they have presented viewers with one of the most gruesome scenes seen this year (Warning: spoilers follow!).
While it might still be too early to label any release as “the best of the year,” swiftly passing time and Netflix’s rapid pace mean that new content emerges quickly. Recently, Netflix has unveiled American Primeval, an edge-of-your-seat story about death and survival in the Old West.
If you’re hoping for a direct replica of Taylor Sheridan’s ranch drama, you might find yourself underwhelmed. Unlike the scenes of cowboys drinking whiskey and sharp-tongued women exchanging barbs, American Primeval features scalping, massacres, and characters who appear as though they haven’t had a bath in quite some time.
As a fellow enthusiast, let me tell you, if you’re yearning for a grittier take on the Old West and a period drama that doesn’t shy away from reality, American Primeval should be high on your list. Just one glimpse is all it takes to grasp the bleakness that unfolds.
American Primeval Episode 1 features a shocking attack on a campsite
American Primeval centers around several tales set in Utah Territory during 1857, with the primary narrative focusing on Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin) and her son Devin, who are embarking on a journey across the frontier to locate Devin’s father. Initially, they join forces with Mormon couple Jacob Pratt and Abish during their initial attempt at this expedition.
Initially, everything proceeds effortlessly as Sara and Devin blend seamlessly into the company without any issues, apart from a secretive young Native American girl concealed within their cart who remains undetected by Sara. In the initial installment, the party takes a break for food and rest, feeling serene and optimistic about their travels.
But, as is usually the way, this is where their problems start.
As Sara converses, a Mormon woman suddenly falls mortally wounded by an arrow that pierces her skull unexpectedly. The air is filled with a tearing sound, causing panic among everyone at the campsite as it seems countless arrows whiz through the atmosphere. With no escape route available, they are under siege.
A two-minute sequence of Hell
As Sara and I, we’re plunged into a whirlwind of disorder and destruction. We dash through the camp, searching in vain for a sanctuary that seems nowhere to be found. Men with firearms scramble about aimlessly, their desperate attempts to shield themselves from the chaos only leading them to be trampled by the wild horses charging through the anarchy.
In the two-minute sequence, Jacob is gruesomely decapitated, similar to other violent kills shown. Every bit of his skin is meticulously sliced open for all to see. Even Sara and Devin manage a brief respite by hiding under a cart, but their peace is short-lived as a frantic bull rams into them.
By the time they get the chance to escape into a wooded area, almost everybody in the camp is dead.
Putting a gory spin on the genre
In this chilling depiction (inspired by the Mountain Meadows Massacre), American Primeval outdoes the brutality seen in other well-known Western TV series like Yellowstone, 1883, or even Netflix’s Godless when it comes to violence.
This show, along with many others, strives to replicate the raw brutality and untamed nature that Westerns are known for, but what sets it apart is its intense focus on the disorderly aspect of violence.
In the series, it not only challenges other shows but also delves deeply into somber scenes throughout its six episodes. As Sara and Devin progress on their adventure, they confront additional assaults (including a situation where Sara is violently attacked), while Abish witnesses one by one, each woman in her group being brutally murdered, until she’s the sole survivor left.
Despite its sudden and chaotic nature, this Episode 1 sequence is remarkably brutal in its portrayal. Presented as a continuous shot, the camera rushes through the chaos, seizing moments of sheer fear amidst the dust. In one particularly disturbing scene, an attacker fires upon a young boy fleeing towards his father, then retches over the lifeless body.
Netflix doesn’t hesitate when it comes to depicting violence; just two weeks before the premiere of American Primeval, Squid Game Season 2 made its debut on their platform. Known for its graphic and fictional games, the South Korean thriller series has become notorious for its striking kill scenes.
However, while Squid Game finds an element of enjoyment and exaggerated absurdity in its violent content, American Primeval instead opts for a more serious and somber approach.
The incident concludes swiftly, much like how it started, with just a few individuals left standing. Its authentic portrayal underscores that this isn’t some fictional or overdramatic production akin to Taylor Sheridan’s works – it’s real life. Strikingly realistic and impactful, the scene is not only powerful but also encapsulates the core message of American Primeval: The West extracts far more than it can ever replenish.
Stream “American Primitive” on Netflix at this moment! For additional details, discover how to watch every Kevin Costner Western, explore all the Yellowstone appearances in “Horizon: An American Epic,” and stay updated on future events in the Yellowstone storyline with our guide to 1944.
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2025-01-09 16:03