Netflix viewers are “captivated” by a film that has been voted as the “best western” available to stream on the platform, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Hostiles is an American western drama film written and directed by Scott Cooper, and based on a story by Donald E. Stewart. The 2018 film stars Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, and Ben Foster. Stephen Lang, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, Adam Beach, Q’orianka Kilcher, Jonathan Majors, and Timothée Chalamet appear in supporting roles.
The film’s synopsis reads: “In 1892, legendary Army Capt. Joseph Blocker reluctantly agrees to escort a dying Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their tribal land. Embarking on a harrowing and perilous journey from Fort Berringer, N.M., to the grasslands of Montana, they soon encounter a young widow whose family was killed on the plains. The travelers must now band together to survive a punishing landscape that’s crawling with hostile Comanches and vicious outliers.”
Hostiles has received generally good reviews since its release and its 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes reflects that. The critics consensus states: “Hostiles benefits from stunning visuals and a solid central performance from Christian Bale, both of which help elevate its uneven story.”
One critic said: “The striking cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi, enhances Hostile’s vivid contrast between what’s beautiful and ugly in this world, and Cooper’s screenplay … is a challenging balance between extreme violence and thoughtful reflection.”
“A methodically challenging viewing experience awaits those unprepared for dispiriting bleakness. The harrowing raw violence and melancholic emotions rattle this film’s bones and will remain wearisome for many to embrace,” added another.
Another critic said in their review: “In some ways this is one of the best Westerns in years, both adventurous and tough-minded from writer-director Scott Cooper.”
An audience reviewer said: “Words cannot describes how beautiful this film is. Its story is captivating and emotionally devastating, and the characters are some if the most amazingly well written people I have ever seen on the big screen.”
Another said: “Very underrated. Great film.”
“Such a good movie, really impressed with durector Scott Cooper. This is the western i’ve been wanting to see, directed & acted superbly. Highly recommend,” added a third.
Hostiles is available to stream now on Netflix.
