--- title: "A Million Ways to Die in the West" year: 2014 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west" fi1m_id: "a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west" imdb_id: "tt2557490" tmdb_id: 188161 wikidata_id: "Q13582568" fi1m_score: 40 critics_score: 41 critics_reviews: 23 published: "2026-09-24T11:22:10.736438+00:00" updated: "2026-09-24T11:22:20.377088+00:00" region: "NO" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) Directed by Seth MacFarlane · 1h 56m · Comedy, Western ## Identity A Million Ways to Die in the West - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west - **IMDb ID:** tt2557490 - **TMDB ID:** 188161 - **Wikidata ID:** Q13582568 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2557490/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/188161, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13582568 **Fi1m score: 40** · Critics 41 from 23 reviews *In a sentence:* A Western with fine scenery and a worrying faith in the comic endurance of flatulence > Seth MacFarlane’s Western comedy has a willing supporting cast and too few jokes for 116 minutes. Charlize Theron brings the ease it needs, but repetitive vulgarity and a laboured lead performance make it a poor return on an evening. ## Synopsis Albert (Seth MacFarlane), Anna (Charlize Theron) and Louise (Amanda Seyfried) lead the cast of characters in this comedy Western. They are joined by Clinch (Liam Neeson), Edward (Giovanni Ribisi), Foy (Neil Patrick Harris) and Ruth (Sarah Silverman). Other characters include George Stark (Christopher Hagen), Cochise (Wes Studi), the Old Prospector (Matt Clark), Lewis (Evan Jones) and Ben (Aaron McPherson). Seth MacFarlane also directs, sharing the writing credit with Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. The film runs for 116 minutes and carries a 15 certificate. ## Review *A Million Ways to Die in the West* is a poor comedy with a good supporting cast. Seth MacFarlane directs, co-writes and plays Albert, whose whiny manner soon wears thin. Putting a modern comic voice into a Western is a workable idea, and there are occasional laughs when the film lets absurdity take over. Too often, though, the leading man’s complaints arrive with the expectation that we will agree with them. He gets plenty of time to talk and gives us little reason to enjoy his company. The screenplay, credited to Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, keeps returning to material it has already exhausted. Sex jokes and bodily functions supply much of the humour, with another crude variation offered when the last one has barely finished. We were bored by the repeated flatulence jokes. The setups become recognisable before the punchlines arrive, and the film gives us far too long to notice. A few absurd detours are funny enough to suggest that a shorter, less insistent version might have worked. Charlize Theron does the most to keep it watchable. As Anna, she brings a loose, playful manner that makes the dialogue seem less effortful and allows the humour to emerge without quite so much announcement. Her ease also exposes the strain in the leading performance. Seth MacFarlane can deliver a complaint, but he struggles to make Albert interesting between them. When the film asks us to care about its familiar romance, that thin characterisation starts to matter. Sarah Silverman finds some welcome cheerfulness in Ruth, and Neil Patrick Harris gives Foy enough comic energy to make the surrounding sluggishness more obvious. The supporting performances deserve credit for finding laughs in material that so often labours over them. There is a sourness to the humour, though, that their goodwill cannot consistently overcome. The film can seem pleased with its readiness to offend before it has worked out what is funny. Michael Barrett’s cinematography gives the Western scenery breadth and makes it worth looking at even when the dialogue has become tiresome. Joel McNeely’s energetic score also understands the pleasure of a Western played straight. The music gives the picture a sense of movement that the jokes struggle to sustain. Stephen J. Lineweaver’s production design helps make the setting credible, which is useful when the dialogue is determined to sound as though it belongs somewhere else. The surroundings look ready for a more assured film. Jeff Freeman’s editing leaves too much air around material that needs to move on. At 116 minutes, the film gives its repeated setups time to become an irritation, while the digressions make the story feel less purposeful. A detour can be worth taking for one good laugh, but too many of these interruptions feel included simply because someone liked the idea. The occasional successful visual joke makes that lack of discipline more frustrating, since there is comic invention here. Comic Westerns have plenty to mock in their heroes, their villains and the stories they tell about themselves. This one spends too much time on bodily embarrassment, a source of jokes that hardly requires a Western setting. There is affection for the genre in the images and music, but little comic curiosity about it once the swearing starts. Anyone tempted by the supporting cast should expect to do a fair amount of waiting between laughs. *Fi1m score 40, published 24 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics find A Million Ways to Die in the West an uneven, overlong comedy whose occasional good jokes cannot sustain it. Praise clusters around Charlize Theron’s lively performance, with supporting players supplying laughs that reviewers often find missing from Seth MacFarlane’s central turn. Several reviews also admire the Western cinematography and score, finding more assurance in the film’s presentation than in its comic timing. The main complaints concern repetitive vulgarity, slack pacing and a lead character the film treats too indulgently. The spread is wide: some critics find scattered pleasures, while others regard the comedy as largely unsuccessful. Collider offers a more favourable reading of the juvenile humour, finding it consistently funny despite the length and the hero’s easy treatment. Paste also enjoys the film, arguing that its thoughtful moments balance the scatology, though it shares reservations about the pacing and MacFarlane’s fit with the cast. ## Straight answers **Is A Million Ways to Die in the West worth watching?** *A Million Ways to Die in the West* is a poor comedy that we score 40/100, with too few laughs to justify its 116 minutes. Charlize Theron and the willing supporting cast offer some pleasure for fans of crude humour, but repeated bodily-function jokes and Seth MacFarlane’s laboured lead performance make it difficult to recommend. **How long is A Million Ways to Die in the West, and what is it rated?** *A Million Ways to Die in the West* runs 1h 56m. It is a comedy and western film. **Where can I watch A Million Ways to Die in the West in Norway?** *A Million Ways to Die in the West* is streaming on Netflix in Norway, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from kr 29.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is A Million Ways to Die in the West, and is it suitable for children?** *A Million Ways to Die in the West* carries a UK 15 certificate and is unsuitable for children, with sex jokes, swearing and repeated bodily-function humour. We would steer anyone who dislikes crude comedy away; the certificate indicates material for older teenagers and adults, but does not by itself establish how violent or frightening the film is. **How does A Million Ways to Die in the West compare to Hot Fuzz?** *A Million Ways to Die in the West* is the weaker genre spoof beside [*Hot Fuzz*](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz), which we recommend for its tighter plotting and jokes that reward attention. Both show affection for their genres, but the Western relies too heavily on repetitive vulgarity; *Hot Fuzz* offers sharper comedy, despite repeated gags and action that runs on too long. ### Reviews we read (23) - **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn (B-): Kohn finds the comedy enjoyable in stretches but ultimately too sloppy and mean-spirited to match its Western inspirations. He singles out Charlize Theron’s performance and several inventive digressions as highlights. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-what-does-seth-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-tell-us-about-the-state-of-the-western-26038/) - **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. The review’s specific praise or complaint is also unavailable. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-2014) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page content is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No specific praise or complaint is visible. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/movies/seth-macfarlanes-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.html) - **Radio Times**, Karen Krizanovich (3/5): Krizanovich calls the film a potential future classic. She praises MacFarlane’s modern take on the Wild West, likening it to Blazing Saddles with contemporary profanity. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-34298r/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west/) - **Total Film**, Philip Kemp (3/5): Kemp finds the comedy western uneven but says its hits outnumber its misses. He praises the supporting cast, particularly Charlize Theron, while noting Seth MacFarlane’s awkward performance. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review/) - **The AV Club**, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky (C-): The critic finds the comedy repetitive and poorly shaped, with too little material stretched across its runtime. He singles out a few visual and dialogue jokes as funny, but says they are buried under repeated setups and crude humor. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/seth-macfarlane-didn-t-bother-to-think-of-a-million-way-1798180585) - **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (30/100, inferred): Sharkey finds the comedy uneven and ultimately a misfire, despite some funny moments. She praises Charlize Theron’s performance but faults the film’s scattershot jokes and blunt use of political incorrectness. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-a-million-ways-review-20140530-column.html) - **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (30/100, inferred): Grierson finds the film’s smug, juvenile humor and uneven storytelling make it an unsatisfying comedy. He singles out Charlize Theron’s playful, spirited performance as its most appealing element. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west/5072488.article?blocktitle=REVIEWS&contentID=40296) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, THR Staff (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the comedy uneven and overlong, with a familiar romance and a bland lead performance. Charlize Theron is singled out for carrying much of the film, though the critic objects to her character becoming a damsel in distress. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-million-ways-die-west-707135/) - **The Independent**, Geoffrey Macnab (30/100, inferred): Macnab finds the film a weak comedy, weighed down by feeble puns, pointless cameos and graphic violence. He notes that some sheep-related gags raise a chuckle and praises the film’s handsome western cinematography. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-film-review-slapstick-cameos-feeble-puns-and-surprisingly-graphic-violence-9456480.html) - **Empire**, Simon Crook (25/100, inferred): Crook finds the comedy plodding, repetitive and largely unfunny. He singles out Charlize Theron as the film’s big plus, while criticizing the star-wastage elsewhere. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/million-ways-die-west-review/) - **Slant Magazine**, Steve Macfarlane (1/4): The critic finds the film an arduously predictable, mostly unsuccessful comedy. They praise the supporting performances and occasional uneasy laughs, but fault the whiny dialogue and overreliance on jokes that rarely land. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west/) - **Vulture**, David Edelstein (25/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the comedy mostly unsuccessful, despite a few jokes that land. He singles out MacFarlane’s crude humor and bland central performance as key flaws. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2014/05/movie-review-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.html) - **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/1/1): The critic finds the film an epic failure and MacFarlane’s lead character fundamentally unlikeable. They single out the weak jokes and repetitive flatulence humor as especially tiresome. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west) - **The Guardian**, Jonathan Romney (20/100, inferred): Romney finds the spoof western joyless, overlong and poorly timed. He singles out Sarah Silverman’s cheerful performance as a bright spot. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/01/a-million-ways-to-die-in-west-review-bloated-blazing-saddles) - **Time Out**, Guy Lodge (1/5): The one-star rating signals a strongly negative verdict on the comedy. The description suggests the film’s wisecracking approach fails to deliver laughs. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west) - **Variety**, Scott Foundas (10/100, inferred): Foundas pans the film as a padded, uninspired comedy that fails to meet Seth MacFarlane’s usual standard. He singles out Charlize Theron’s loose, sassy performance as the main reason it remains engaging at all. [Read](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-1201194566/) - **Paste**, Brent Simon (7.1): Simon calls the film an enjoyable romp, finding that its thoughtful moments balance its scatological humor. He praises the playful direction, energetic score, and cinematography, while noting that the film could be trimmed and MacFarlane feels out of step with the cast. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B-): Goldberg finds the film consistently funny but overlong, with a central character the movie too readily celebrates. He praises its unapologetic, often juvenile comedy, while faulting MacFarlane for not turning that humor on himself. [Read](https://collider.com/million-ways-die-west-review/) - **HeyUGuys**, Amon Warmann (3/5): The review finds the film enjoyable in parts but says it fails to maximise its potential and feels overlong. It praises the strong ensemble performances and cameos, while criticising the uneven humour and lazy flatulent jokes. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/million-ways-die-west-review/) - **Den of Geek**, David Crow (2.5/5): Crow finds the comedy largely aimless and sluggish, despite occasional successful gags. He singles out Charlize Theron’s lively performance and Neil Patrick Harris’s comic turns for praise. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review/) - **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (2/5): Reynolds finds the comedy a misfire, with an overlong, laugh-free story dominated by MacFarlane. He praises the cinematography and score for capturing the style of a classic Western. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a574049/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review-seth-macfarlane-misfires/) - **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the comedy intermittently funny but ultimately weakened by juvenile, repetitive vulgarity. The film’s absurdist gags and Western visuals earn praise, while its sex and scatology jokes are singled out as overdone. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-review-seth-macfarlane-charlize-theron-neil-patrick-harris/) ## Details - **Director:** Seth MacFarlane - **Director:** Seth MacFarlane - **Writer:** Alec Sulkin, Seth MacFarlane, Wellesley Wild - **Cinematography:** Michael Barrett - **Editor:** Jeff Freeman - **Music:** Joel McNeely - **Production design:** Stephen J. Lineweaver - **Costume design:** Cindy Evans - **Producer:** Jason Clark, Seth MacFarlane, Scott Stuber - **Cast:** Seth MacFarlane as Albert; Charlize Theron as Anna; Amanda Seyfried as Louise; Liam Neeson as Clinch; Giovanni Ribisi as Edward; Neil Patrick Harris as Foy; Sarah Silverman as Ruth; Christopher Hagen as George Stark - **Runtime:** 1h 56m - **First release (Canada):** 22 May 2014 - **Genres:** Comedy, Western - **Budget:** $40 million - **Box office:** $86 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVfvGKol8Ns ## Where to watch in Norway - Netflix: streaming - Amazon Prime Video: rent kr 29.00, sd - Apple TV: rent kr 39.00, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy kr 79.00, hd - Apple TV: buy kr 79.00, hd *Checked 2026-09-24.* Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Blazing Saddles* (1974): A more pointed Western spoof, with sharper targets and much firmer comic timing. - *Destry Rides Again* (1939): A gentler comic Western whose central performance supplies the charm missing here. - *The Good, the Bad, the Weird* (2008): South Korean Western adventure that keeps its comic chaos moving at a useful speed. - *Tampopo* (1985): A Japanese noodle-shop comedy that puts its fondness for Western conventions to work. - *Hot Fuzz* (2007), Fi1m 84: Another affectionate genre spoof, with tighter plotting and jokes that reward paying attention. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west