Fans have been raving about a “masterpiece” Western film which has a near-perfect rating. Old Henry was released in 2021 and stars Tim Blake Nelson as the titular character, a quiet farmer with a haunting past buried deep beneath the surface. On the verge of death, the wounded Curry is saved by the mysterious Henry, setting off a chain of events that draws a gang of ruthless outlaws to his doorstep.
The gang is led by the menacing Sam Ketchum, a sadist with a penchant for lying. Ketchum’s arrival forces Henry to confront his past and protect his family, including his son, Wyatt. While typical Westerns feature saloons, gambling, gunfights, and pursuits of justice, Old Henry strips it back to the basics, with the entire story taking place in one setting and the cast made up of just eight characters.
Alongside Nelson, 61, stars Scott Haze as Curry, Gavin Lewis as Wyatt, Stephen Dorff as Ketchum as well as Trace Adkins, Richard Speight Jr., Max Archiniega and Brad Carter.
Nelson’s portrayal of Henry was described as career-defining, with his performance a key component of the film’s success which contributed to its unique take on the Western genre.
Old Henry, available on NOW TV, received largely positive reviews from both critics and audiences and was awarded a 94 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film has been compared to Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven, which is generally regarded as the greatest Western film of all time.
Leaving a five-star review online, one fan wrote: “Old Henry is a slow-burning western masterpiece that explodes into brutal, edge-of-your-seat action, carried by a powerhouse performance from the multi-talented and underrated Tim Blake Nelson. In a genre often filled with clichés, this film stands tall with grit, depth, and emotional weight.”
A second added: “Old Henry is a gripping Western film that takes viewers on a thrilling and emotional journey through the rugged and unforgiving American frontier. Directed by Potsy Ponciroli and released in 2021, this movie successfully captures the essence of the classic Western genre while adding its own unique twists and turns.”
Another echoed: “If you’ve never seen this 2021 western you owe it to yourself to see it, it isn’t just a really great western, it’s the best one since Clint Eastwood’s 1992 epic Unforgiven. This film though has a twist and believe me, it is one hell of a twist!”
A fourth posted: “This was one of the BEST movies my husband and I ever watched. The acting, (especially the main character he was awesome), the filming, the plot, the writing, the story and the strong feelings it brought up with us were so unexpected but so real. You have to see this movie – it’s probably going to be one of your favourites.”