What is a neo-western, anyhow? Well, usually, the word “neo” is just a fancy way of saying “new” or “contemporary.” So, neo-western describes a subgenre of film, consisting of modern variations of old western themes.This subgenre often includes rebellious protagonists of theanti-herosort, vast landscapes, and rugged scenery, and occasionally features a strong dose of violence and gun-fighting. Many characters in neo-westerns struggle with feeling somewhat displaced by their current surroundings, with their way of life being antiquated for the modern time. Like the original genre that inspires this new branch of film, neo-westerns maintain the classic themes of determining right from wrong in a lawless world, the gritty pursuit of justice or vengeance, and the somber remorse that can follow a lifetime of dangerous decisions.As fans of this unique subgenre, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the great neo-western films from this century. Each film on our list was released after the year 2000, and portrays those notable themes that we enjoy so much. A mix of drama, romance, and even some humor, this list is quintessentially neo — or new — western. So, saddle up and take a ride with us, as we venture through the 25 best neo-westerns of the 21st century.Related:How Kodi Smit-McPhee Reinvented the Western Hero In ‘Slow West’
No Country for Old Men
Based on the popularCormac McCarthynovel published not long before the film,No Country for Old Menis a gritty and grim neo-western created byJoel and Ethan Coen. Set in West Texas in the 1980s,No Countryexplores the position of law and order in an ever-changing and lawlessly rugged, modern land.
After stumbling upon a drug deal gone bad, blue-collar tradesman Llewelyn Moss(Josh Brolin) returns home with a briefcase filled with $2 million in cash. Little does Llewelyn know, but one of cinema’s greatest villains is hot on his trail and aims to retrieve the suitcase by any means necessary. A hitman with a strange set of morals all his own, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) leaves the fate of each of his victims to the outcome of a coin toss. What sort of fate will Chigurh’s coin toss determine for Llewelyn?
Also starringTommy Lee Jonesas a lawman struggling to maintain tradition in the new world,Woody Harrelsonas a bounty hunter exhausted by his professional pursuit of criminals and outlaws, andKelly Macdonaldas a wife coping with decisions made by the men that surround her —No Country for Old Menis one neo-western that’s sure to remain a modern classic.
A lighter, funnier creation by Coen brothers Joel and Ethan,The Ballad of Buster Scruggspays homage to American western mythology of a former era. The Ballad is one of six vignettes featured in the film, which make up the greater anthology. As a satirical comedy,The Ballad of Buster Scruggsplays with new forms of classically western film culture.
StarringTim Blake Nelsonas Buster Scruggs, this re-envisioned western features musical numbers in saloons, bank robberies, and rough riding cowboys, horseback pursuits with Native Americans, gold mining in the backcountry, schemes hatched on long wagon rides, and more dark humor with a western flair, masterfully delivered with Coen charm. For a film genre that leans heavily on the somber side,The Ballad of Buster Scruggsis refreshingly unique and pokes a bit of fun at the themes that make our favorite old westerns so memorable.
El Caminois an epilogue of sorts to the long-running television series,Breaking Bad, and returns many of the series' main characters to the screen.
The story chronicles the journey of Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), in the days following the end of a successful — and dangerous — meth-cooking career with the prolific drug lord, Walter White (Bryan Cranston). This journey starts in New Mexico and includes familiar faces and memories from Jesse’s past, new troubles to navigate while out on his own, and yes, it also features one El Camino automobile. True to the gritty nature of the neo-western subgenre,El Caminois a story packed with violence, remorse, and maybe even redemption.
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Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
Perhaps more of a Bonnie and Clyde-style love story than a dusty old western tale,Ain’t Them Bodies Saintsis one of my personal favorites on this list. StarringRooney MaraandCasey Affleckas star-crossed criminals, this story mixes modern crime drama with classic western romance.
Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) were a couple of crooks finally captured by authorities after their small-town crime spree, with Bob’s arrest and a trip to prison separating the two lovers. Ruth gave birth to their daughter while Bob was away, and mother and daughter have enjoyed a quietly happy life together for some years in Texas. But when Bob escapes prison to return to his family — venturing through Missouri and eluding bounty hunters along the way — Ruth’s new lifestyle is quickly upended by the turn of events. And with a local lawman feeling more affection for the young mother and daughter with each passing day, all involved parties must soon determine where their loyalties lie.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
Tommy Lee Jones directs and stars in this critically-acclaimed neo-western film, inspired by actual events. Based on the real-life killing of an undocumented teenager in Texas,The Three Burials of Melquiades Estradatakes the true story and intertwines it withWilliam Faulkner’s classic American novel,As I Lay Dying.
While defending his small flock of goats by shooting at coyotes to scare them off, Melquiades Estrada is shot and killed by Officer Mike Norton (Barry Pepper), a U.S. border patrol who mistook the goat herder’s gunfire as an attack on the officer. In a panic over his mistake, Norton quickly covers Melquiades' body — the first of three burials the newly deceased corpse will go through. When Melquiades' best friend, Perkins (Tommy Lee Jones), discovers the truth about Melquiades' death, he aims to keep a promise to deliver Melquiades' body to Mexico — and he’s bringing Norton along for the brutal journey through the desert.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The first of a fewQuentin Tarantinoflicks on our list,Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodoffers audiences a peek behind the curtain of classic western film-making while exploring a revisionist storyline rich with pop culture.
Leonardo DiCapriois Rick Dalton, a washed-up actor and former star of an iconic Hollywood western series.Brad Pittis Cliff Booth, Rick’s long-time friend and stuntman, who is often the metaphorical shoulder for Dalton to cry on. Meanwhile, Dalton’s new neighbors — beautiful actress Sharon Tate and her husband, director Roman Polanksi — are enjoying their own film success. But we all know how that story ends, right? Well, not if Rick Dalton has anything to do with it. Perhaps in this modern world of crazies, Rick Dalton can be a hero once more. This is a revisionist film, after all (and if you’ve seen Tarantino’sInglorious Basterdsthen you know exactly what that means). And withMargot Robbiestarring as Sharon Tate, this neo-western great is one you don’t want to miss.
Gran Torino
No stranger to classic western films himself,Clint Eastwooddirects, produces, and stars in this gritty and emotional story about an aging man’s loyalty to a young friend.
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran, a widower, and a grump. Walt lives in the industrial area of Michigan and is the owner of a vintage Ford Torino, which was a company gift for his years of work at the auto factory. As he’s mostly estranged from his own children, the Torino is basically Walt’s sole pride and joy. So when the family of young Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang) moves in next door to Walt, and Thao gets recruited into the local gang — by stealing Walt’s car as initiation — the Torino becomes a major point of conversation between the two neighbors. Clint Eastwood shines as the neo-western anti-hero, struggling to find reason in the unreasonable modern age, who delivers ultimate justice in an unexpected way.
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You might not expect a superhero movie to be counted as part of the great neo-westerns of our century, but the last installment of X-Men’sWolverinetrilogydeserves its place on our list. As a standalone film itself,Logantakes place in an alternate reality from the X-Men universe of comics, where the mutant Wolverine is much older and Professor Xavier is very ill.
Now living in El Paso, Texas, Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for the ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart), who suffers from extreme dementia and deadly telepathic outbursts. Aging and weakening himself, Logan is tired and sore after a lifetime of fighting alongside the X-Men. After agreeing to a mission that would deliver a young mutant girl to a mysterious location known only as Eden, Logan finds himself in a situation that will not only change his life forever but will question what he knows about his past. With an epic adventure taking place among the rugged American West and packed withjust as much emotion as there is action,Loganis a true neo-western classic.
Brokeback Mountain
While perhaps not as violent as most of the other picks on our list,Brokeback Mountainstands as one of the best neo-westerns made this century. With themes that explore the nature of forbidden love and what it means to be a cowboy in 1960s America, this film is a fresh take on the western genre.
Heath LedgerandJake Gyllenhaalstar as Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist, two ranch hands hired for a summer of sheep herding on the secluded hillside of Brokeback Mountain. When a long night of drinking leads to anunexpected romance, the two cowboys find themselves struggling with how to navigate their feelings when away from the mountain. Knowing that their relationship can’t exist in the cultural microcosm they currently live within, the two part ways, take wives, and have children. But as the years pass by, and as their separate lives go on, the bond between the two men becomes harder for them — and for their families — to deny.
Sicariois the first of three films fromTaylor Sheridan, known together asThe Modern American Frontier Trilogy, that are featured here on our list. StarringEmily Blunt,Josh Brolin,Benicio del Toro, and others, the film — directed byDenis Villeneuveand written by Sheridan — has garnered much critical acclaim since its release.
With the title meaning “hitman” in Spanish,Sicariofollows the dangerous CIA pursuit of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug lords. Starting in Arizona and winding its way into Mexico,Sicarioexplores aspects of the drug trade occurring along the U.S./Mexico border, especially during the height of crime in Juárez. Emily Blunt is praised for her performance as special agent Kate Macer, with the performances of Del Toro and Brolin receiving recognition, as well.
