10 Excellent Neo-Westerns You Must Watch

      Casey Chong presents ten excellent neo-Westerns that you should watch...

      Though the classic John Wayne era of Western films is a thing of the past, it remains fondly remembered. The Western genre may not draw crowds at the box office like it used to, but it still holds a significant position in modern cinema, particularly through the neo-Western. This subgenre revitalizes classic Western themes and archetypes by altering settings and incorporating various elements from action thrillers, crime dramas, horror, and even comedy. Here are ten remarkable neo-Westerns that are definitely worth your time if you haven't seen them yet...

      Extreme Prejudice (1987)

      Extreme Prejudice is a quintessential but sadly overlooked Walter Hill film, showcasing a gritty War on Drugs action thriller with neo-Western nuances. The film pairs Hill with his 48 Hrs. star Nick Nolte, who plays the straightforward Texas Ranger Jack Benteen, determined to take down his childhood friend-turned-drug trafficker Cash Bailey, portrayed by the ever-sleazy Powers Boothe. Adding complexity is a member of a Zombie Unit, led by Major Paul Hackett, played by Michael Ironside, who has a murky mission involving his fellow soldiers presumed dead.

      The parallel narratives of Jack and Cash's conflict alongside the Zombie Unit's objectives may take a bit to coalesce, leading to a somewhat uneven pace. However, Hill’s robust direction maintains sufficient tension and includes a variety of visceral action sequences to keep you engaged. He even pays tribute to Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch, especially evident in the climactic shootout in a dusty Mexican town.

      Last Man Standing (1996)

      Last Man Standing is another Walter Hill project that is better than its disappointing box office results suggest. Drawing major inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s classic samurai film Yojimbo and fusing it with neo-Western and gangster themes, Hill crafts a fast-paced yet stylized Prohibition-era tale. Bruce Willis stars as the enigmatic wanderer John Smith, who becomes embroiled in a conflict between the Irish and Italian mafia.

      The film’s stylistic elements are highlighted by gunfights reminiscent of John Woo, complete with slow-motion violence akin to Peckinpah's style. Bruce Willis’s character is a mythical gunslinger echoing Clint Eastwood’s iconic Man with No Name, with the distinction that John Smith wields two guns. The film also features Ry Cooder's jazzy score and Lloyd Ahern’s cinematography, which effectively captures the sinister, sun-soaked atmosphere of a terror-stricken town.

      Vampires (1998)

      Despite its generic title, John Carpenter’s film adaptation of John Steakley’s novel successfully melds neo-Western and vampire horror elements. The entertaining, B-movie feel and James Woods's portrayal of the assertive and brash vampire hunter Jack Crow make this film an enjoyable watch.

      The action-packed opening effectively introduces Woods’s character and his team as they invade a vampire-infested house in New Mexico. Thomas Ian Griffith plays the menacing and magnetic Jan Valek. While Vampires didn’t create much of a stir at the box office, it spawned two direct-to-video sequels, Vampires: Los Muertos and Vampires: The Turning.

      No Country for Old Men (2007)

      No Country for Old Men is a seminal neo-Western that inevitably appears on such lists, having earned the Coen Brothers the prestigious Best Picture Oscar. The film also garnered three additional awards, notably Javier Bardem’s unforgettable win for Best Supporting Actor for his chilling portrayal of hitman Anton Chigurh, who has a disturbing enjoyment for taking lives and deciding fates with a coin toss.

      Chigurh’s cold glare instills a pervasive sense of dread, and his indifferent personality makes him a frightening, memorable antagonist. The Coen brothers’ cynical interpretation of the neo-Western genre explores uncharted territory, subverting traditional good vs. evil narratives.

      Wind River (2017)

      Taylor Sheridan’s exploration of the contemporary American West in Wind River merges neo-Western themes with the elements of a murder mystery and crime procedural. This well-crafted film emphasizes deliberate pacing and well-drawn characters, featuring compelling performances from Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. Sheridan does not shy away from the stark portrayal of sexual assault and violence, enriching the film’s dark narrative against the formidable Wyoming wilderness backdrop.

      The plot delves into the grim realities and lawlessness faced by Native American communities, showcasing Sheridan’s directorial skill (this is only his second feature following 2011’s Vile), in addition to his talent for screenwriting. Wind River builds toward a thrilling climactic standoff, solidifying Taylor Sheridan as a noteworthy filmmaker in contemporary cinema.

      The Last Stand (2013)

      Although The Last Stand did not generate a buzz at the box office upon its release, it is hard to overlook the direction of the renowned South Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-Woon, known for his work on