Tommy Lee Jones in No Country for Old Men (Image: Paramount Pictures (International))
A modern Western thriller hailed as a cinematic tour de force has landed on Netflix – and viewers are still proclaiming it among the finest films ever made.
No Country for Old Men, the Coen Brothers’ Oscar-winning take on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, continues to draw plaudits for its unflinching portrayal of violence, morality, and fate in a world spiralling into chaos.
The 2007 picture marked a defining moment in the Coens’ illustrious career.
Josh Brolin stars as Llewelyn Moss, a welder and Vietnam veteran who discovers the scene of a failed drugs deal in the wilds of West Texas and makes off with a case containing $2 million.
That choice sets off a deadly chain of events, with Moss hunted by Anton Chigurh, a mysterious, softly-spoken killer played with chilling precision by Javier Bardem.
Scene from No Country for Old Men (Image: Paramount Pictures (International))
Bardem’s performance earned instant recognition – clinching him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Rotten Tomatoes audiences remain enthralled: “Guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat not only because of the directors and their quirky but very welcomed artistic decisions… but also because it includes one of the greatest performances of this century to date: Javier Bardem as the ruthless and nightmare-inducing hitman Anton Chigurh.”
The character, marked by his distinctive bowl haircut, emotionless stare, and terrifying coin-toss moments, has cemented his place as one of contemporary cinema’s most unforgettable and chilling villains.
While much of the story focuses on Moss and Chigurh’s deadly cat-and-mouse game, the film’s emotional core rests with Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Sheriff Ed Tom Bell – a weary lawman struggling to comprehend the escalating mindless violence consuming his territory.
Jones, Bardem and Brolin each embody different aspects of the picture’s core themes: law, chaos, and survival.
Critics and viewers alike have lavished praise upon the production’s structure, atmosphere, and technical excellence. “The Coen Brothers really got this one right,” one reviewer observed.
“Whole cast really shines convincingly, and then some, in their characters. Absolute winner. Great story, excellent directing and really good cinematography, which must have been really challenging. Lots of tense moments, action galore and enough twists. Suspense all round and just about non-stop.”
Roger Deakins’ cinematography captures the desolate beauty of the desert landscape with haunting precision, and notably, the Coens opted to use almost no musical score whatsoever – a decision that amplifies both tension and realism. As one observer noted: “This is a special kind of film… one that never holds the viewer’s hand and challenges you to use your intellect.”
The concluding 20 minutes of the film have become some of the most hotly debated in cinematic history, presenting a bold and understated finale that defies traditional action-film conclusions.
“The perfect film. Every scene. Every line of dialogue. And the ending. Yes… I said it… the ending. All perfect,” praised one Rotten Tomatoes reviewer.
No Country for Old Men swept the board at the 2008 Academy Awards, bagging Best Picture, Best Director (a joint win for Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. It also received nominations for Best Actor (Tommy Lee Jones), Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins), and Best Film Editing.
No Country for Old Men is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
