The 2015 Western,Bone Tomahawk, is often recognized for its bloody gore and violence, so much so that even themovie’s lead, Kurt Russell, was surprised, though this darkness is what makes the movie so great.Bone Tomahawktakes place in a small Western town in the 1890s, and centers on Russell as Sheriff Franklin Hunt, whose interrogation of a thief leads to him investigating an even larger conspiracy of a cannibalistic cult.Hunt, along with his deputy, a gunslinger, and an injured man, set out to find the cult’s latest victims, only to get captured themselves.
At first glance,Bone Tomahawkdoesn’t seem much different from any other Western. Many of the same tropes apply, from a gruff yet heroic sheriff to a gunslinger and a pair of brigands. However,Bone Tomahawk’sviolenceis what sets it apart from the rest. In the film, audiences are presented with some truly horrific scenes, including one where a man is ripped in half. The cannibals are not just set pieces, but actually carry out their disturbing plans on-screen.Bone Tomahawkmay surprise its viewers, but its heavy gore is a big reason why the movie is so successful.
Why Kurt Russell Was So Surprised By Bone Tomahawk
How Bone Tomahawk Blends Western With Horror
Bone Tomahawkisn’t the first Western to be violent, butit is notable that Russell himself was shocked by how far the movie went.Russell said, “I liked that it was not willing you to sleep, but willing you into a certain space, and then that last 35-40 minutes of it just goes to a whole different place.“Here, Russell points out howBone Tomahawkis a slow burn, a solid Western, that unexpectedly turns into an undeniable horror story. Ultimately, this is exactly why Russell, and audiences, are so surprised.Bone Tomahawknever lets viewers in on what’s coming.
Bone Tomahawk Ending Explained
2015’s critically acclaimed 2015 Western horror Bone Tomahawk features a shocking, grisly ending that leaves a whole host of questions unanswered.
Bone Tomahawk’selement of surprise is a genuine gift for the Western genre. Although Westerns continue to be a staple of movies and TV, they can often feel repetitive due to overused tropes and storylines.Bone Tomahawkcompletely avoids this problem. By starting out as a fairly standard Western,Bone Tomahawkpulls audiences in and lulls them into a sense of complacency. Therefore, when the final act of the movie takes its terrifying genre turn, viewers come away feeling astonished. The key toBone Tomahawk’ssuccessis the way it unexpectedly blends horror into the stereotypical Western.
Bone Tomahawk’s Western Differences Are What Makes It Great
Bone Tomahawk Isn’t Just Violent For The Sake Of It
Clearly, the ways in whichwatchingBone Tomahawkis different from other Westerns is what makes the movie so outstanding. Not only does the movie provide the Western story that audiences like, but it also turns the genre on its head and gives viewers a true scare that other Westerns are rarely able to give.It is hard to forget aboutBone Tomahawkwhen it makes such bold and interesting moves. What is even better is the fact thatBone Tomahawkisn’t shocking just for the sake of it.
David Arquette
Purvis
Over-the-top violence can definitely be a problem for viewers, who may feel like certain gruesome scenes are unnecessary or only meant to repel the viewers. Yet,Bone Tomahawkis not one of those movies. The violence is definitely awful, but it is integral to the story. It is the payoff that the movie has been building towards since the very beginning. IfBone Tomahawkdid not have its violence, then it wouldn’t be nearly as effective - or enjoyable to watch.
Bone Tomahawk
Cast
Bone Tomahawk is a Western film that follows Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who gathers together a group of fighters to save three kidnapped victims from a clan of cannibals. After the town’s doctor is kidnapped along with two others, forcing the sheriff to partner with the town’s Native American professor and find the tribe before it’s too late.
