--- title: "Bone Tomahawk" year: 2015 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/bone-tomahawk" fi1m_score: 78 critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 23 published: "2026-09-17T08:11:23.086992+00:00" updated: "2026-09-17T08:11:34.812810+00:00" region: "US" 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." --- # Bone Tomahawk (2015) Directed by Steven Craig Zahler · 2h 13m · MPA NR · Drama, Horror, Western **Fi1m score: 78** · Critics 72 from 23 reviews *In a sentence:* We would happily listen to Richard Jenkins all night, provided someone kept watch > A patient, darkly funny western whose cast makes the horror count. The journey drags and its frontier politics are thin, but the company is worth keeping if graphic violence is not a barrier. ## Synopsis In the Old West, Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell) leads a rescue mission into country held by cannibals. His companions are Arthur O’Dwyer (Patrick Wilson), Chicory (Richard Jenkins) and John Brooder (Matthew Fox). Together, the four men set out to recover captives and return them to safety. The pursuit brings their different temperaments into close quarters, with talk and disagreements occupying the stretches between danger. As they travel further into the frontier, the party has to hold together long enough to reach the people they have come to save, against opponents who threaten to turn the rescuers into victims. ## Review *Bone Tomahawk* is a good western with enough affection for its characters to make its horror hurt. Steven Craig Zahler takes his time over a rescue mission, allowing the men undertaking it to be amusing, awkward and recognisably different before asking us to fear for them. The combination works, and the patience usually pays off. At 133 minutes it also needs a firmer trim, though we would sooner lose a stretch of the journey than a conversation involving Richard Jenkins. Kurt Russell gives Sheriff Franklin Hunt the authority this sort of expedition requires, without making him seem too grand to share it with the others. Patrick Wilson makes Arthur O’Dwyer’s determination feel costly, while Matthew Fox gives John Brooder a prickliness that stops the group becoming comfortably companionable. Richard Jenkins, as Chicory, supplies the most pleasure. We laughed at his contributions because he makes the wandering talk sound like something he needs to say, rather than a writer waiting to collect a laugh. Steven Craig Zahler’s dialogue lets these men disagree without reducing every exchange to a contest for the sharpest line. Their talk has detours, and those detours help establish whose company we would welcome and whose we would endure. This matters in a rescue western: the travelling cannot simply be a delay before the shooting. The film understands the pleasure of listening to people who have spent enough time together to irritate one another, even when there is more pressing business. Benji Bakshi’s cinematography gives the actors room, with a relaxed camera that allows the conversation to hold our attention. The plainness can become flatness; there are stretches when we would welcome a more expressive image. Freddy Waff’s production design is similarly unobtrusive, keeping the frontier setting from becoming a display of attractive period objects. Both choices serve the performances, though the images do not always supply enough interest when the talk subsides. Editors Fred Raskin and Greg D’Auria preserve the leisurely rhythm, and the pauses often give an ordinary remark time to become funny. They are less successful at making every stretch of the pursuit feel necessary. The journey begins to drag because the film has already established how these men get along and still grants their exchanges the same generous allowance. Jeff Herriott and Steven Craig Zahler’s restrained music helps: it leaves us space to attend to the voices instead of continually announcing that trouble is coming. The horror is severe, and we will not describe what gives it that severity. What matters is that the film has first persuaded us to care about the people exposed to it; the brutality does not arrive among interchangeable victims. Its treatment of the cannibal antagonists is less satisfying, and the old western division between civilised rescuers and monstrous outsiders deserves more scrutiny than it gets. There is intelligence in the men’s conversations, but it does not settle the unease around that familiar arrangement. Anyone after a brisk evening of frontier action should choose something else. This film expects us to enjoy a digression and tolerate a long wait, then accept a degree of violence that conversation cannot soften. For viewers who can do all three, we recommend it; anyone squeamish should take the 18 certificate seriously. *Fi1m score 78, published 17 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics welcome Bone Tomahawk as a patient, character-led western whose horror is made more disturbing by the time spent with its travelling companions. Praise centres on the ensemble, particularly Kurt Russell and Richard Jenkins, and on Zahler’s dry, eccentric dialogue. The favourable reviews find that the unhurried conversations build attachment and tension, while the shifts between humour and brutality largely hold together. Several also credit the direction with treating the characters seriously rather than merely preparing them for violence. The spread is wide despite the strongly positive majority. Even sympathetic reviews question the pace and tonal control, while the graphic violence proves more divisive. The Times finds that brutality undoes the quality preceding it. Racial politics produce another disagreement: Little White Lies reads a critique of imperialist impulses, whereas Slant Magazine argues that the film evades the racism in its premise. These objections go beyond reservations about its leisurely storytelling. ### Reviews we read (23) - **Financial Times**, Nigel Andrews (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it an amazing film that strobes between light and dark, sublime and ridiculous. It is praised for its B-movie energy, character strokes, and absurdist-philosophical shift into a Beckett-like final act. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/d4e576be-d63e-11e5-8887-98e7feb46f27) - **Empire**, Kim Newman (4/5): The critic praises this gruesome Western-horror mash-up as a strong prairie stew blending The Searchers and Cannibal Ferox, with strong character work and witty dialogue among the posse members. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bone-tomahawk-review/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Robert Abele (80/100, inferred): A grim, witty horror-western with a humming genre intelligence, where Zahler balances shaggy droll talk and midnight-movie violence in a pokey character study. The cast sells the discursive indulgences and the director’s ear for period sensibilities is clinically effective. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-mn-bone-tomahawk-review-20151023-story.html) - **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (80/100, inferred): The film is a sturdy Western that shifts into horror, with strong performances and witty dialogue from a talented cast led by Kurt Russell. Zahler’s confident direction and script make the genre mash-up work despite some self-indulgent pacing and intense violence. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bone-tomahawk-2015) - **Screen Daily** (80/100, inferred): The critic calls it a cult item par excellence that is disturbingly tense, hyper-violent and destined for an adoring fanboy following. The performances, especially Kurt Russell's grizzle and gravitas, are singled out as distinguishing the piece amid its low-budget ambition. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/bone-tomahawk-review/5095354.article) - **The Guardian** (80/100, inferred): The critic sees cult potential in this well-made, macabre and violent western-horror debut. It is a pulpy, scary twist on The Searchers carried off with seriousness, highlighted by strong performances including Kurt Russell. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/feb/18/bone-tomahawk-review-kurt-russell-western-horror) - **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (4/5): The critic calls it a confident, terrifically enjoyable film that is superbly written, shot and performed, exposing the laziness of many mainstream movies. Praise is given for Zahler's handling of tonal shifts between comedy and genuine horror, though the finale lacks pace. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/bone-tomahawk) - **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (80/100, inferred): The review calls the film a tense, absorbing pursuit Western that turns into a gorefest while maintaining elegance and respect for its characters. It singles out the patient direction and unflinching eye on both character and violence as making it disturbing yet beautiful. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2015/10/bone-tomahawk-is-strange-and-unflinching.html) - **The New Yorker**, Bruce Diones (75/100, inferred): A well-crafted, leisurely paced grisly drama that blends Western and horror, with excellent turns from Kurt Russell and his mismatched companions. Zahler’s relaxed camera work and dry humor breathe new life into Old West tropes before a grotesque finale. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/bone-tomahawk) - **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (7.1/10): The critic describes it as a grim but gripping prairie tale and a breathtaking addition to the western genre. The quirky repartee among the four leads is highlighted as entertaining contrast to the bursts of brutality. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7ja3fi/bone-tomahawk/) - **Sight and Sound**, Anton Bitel (70/100, inferred): The critic finds it a richly revisionist and ultra-violent weird western in which a sheriff and his ragtag posse encounter horror. The film is praised for its thematic exploration of the boundaries between civilisation and savagery, with strong performances and witty dialogue offsetting the brutality. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-bone-tomahawk) - **The AV Club**, Katie Rife (B-): The review finds the horror-Western hybrid strange and occasionally effective but hampered by slow pacing and flat cinematography. It singles out the cast's capable performances, especially Richard Jenkins, for bringing depth amid the eccentric choices. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/kurt-russell-and-cannibals-make-strange-bedfellows-in-b-1798185336) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, THR Staff (70/100, inferred): The review praises the film's gravitas and strong cast led by Kurt Russell in a rescue-mission Western with horror overtones. It highlights the subtle score and design elements as contributing to a noble effort despite the gruesome elements. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/bone-tomahawk-fantastic-fest-review-828749/) - **The New York Times**, Jeannette Catsoulis (Critic's Pick): A witty fusion of western, horror and comedy that prioritizes character over body count, with wonderfully weird dialogue and committed performances from Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson and others. The low-budget treat withholds its monsters until late and gallops to its own beat. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/23/movies/review-bone-tomahawk-is-western-horror-and-comedy.html) - **Total Film**, Jamie Graham (70/100, inferred): The critic highlights the film's off-kilter Western-comedy-horror blend, excellent cast, and strong dialogue that captures the Old West, noting it stumbles a bit in the splatter finale but remains engaging overall. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/movies-to-watch-19-february-2016/) - **Little White Lies**, Craig Williams (3/3/3): The critic sees it as a precariously balanced, genre-literate oddity that places the West at the convergence of horror and western tropes. Zahler is commended for using the cannibal antagonist to critique imperialist impulses, though the leisurely pace may limit its appeal. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/bone-tomahawk) - **Slant Magazine**, Chuck Bowen (40/100, inferred): The review criticizes the film for being skittish about its racism and self-conscious in handling its premise. It singles out the intense action scenes and veteran cast performances as providing superficial intensity despite the de-politicizing approach. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/bone-tomahawk/) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★☆☆☆): The critic views it as an exploitation western referencing classics like Rio Bravo and The Searchers, but finds the graphic final-act violence negates prior quality and class, making it entertainment only for a select few. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/bone-tomahawk-xdzkc8d63) - **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (A-): Zahler's debut blends western rhythms and horror with unhurried character-driven storytelling, authentic dialogue, and strong ensemble performances, especially from Jenkins, Fox, and Wilson. It delivers smart commentary on genre tropes and masculinity alongside assured splatter in the final act. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-hugely-enjoyable-horror-western-bone-tomahawk-starring-kurt-russell-patrick-wilson-richard-jenkins-more-20151020/) - **HeyUGuys**, Daniel Goodwin (4/5): The film is a sophisticated melding of western and horror genres with strong character work, sharp dialogue, and effective tension rather than gratuitous gore. It builds from a measured drama into a nerve-wracking finale that entertains while delivering visceral impact. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/bone-tomahawk-review/) - **The Skinny**, Philip Concannon (★★★★): Praises the confident debut, rich dialogue and performances, but notes shaky tone towards climax and questions racial politics in the violence. It's a rare treat if you can stomach the gore. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/bone-tomahawk) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B): The film is a rich Western that uses its frontier setting to explore civilization versus barbarism, with strong low-key performances from the cast making the story feel grounded. The director focuses on character dynamics and the meaning of civilized society rather than sensationalizing the antagonists. [Read](https://collider.com/bone-tomahawk-review/) - **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (4 out of 5): The critic praises the unique Western-horror hybrid, strong performances especially from Kurt Russell and Richard Jenkins, and character development, but notes it feels smaller than it could and the ending doesn't fully resonate. It's entertaining and suspenseful despite some flaws. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/bone-tomahawk-review/) ## Details - **Director:** Steven Craig Zahler - **Director:** Steven Craig Zahler - **Writer:** Steven Craig Zahler - **Cinematography:** Benji Bakshi - **Editor:** Fred Raskin, Greg D'Auria - **Music:** Steven Craig Zahler, Jeff Herriott - **Production design:** Freddy Waff - **Costume design:** Chantal Filson - **Producer:** Jack Heller, Dallas Sonnier - **Cast:** Kurt Russell as Sheriff Franklin Hunt; Patrick Wilson as Arthur O'Dwyer; Richard Jenkins as Chicory; Matthew Fox as John Brooder; Lili Simmons as Samantha O'Dwyer; David Arquette as Purvis; Fred Melamed as Clarence; Evan Jonigkeit as Nick - **Runtime:** 2h 13m - **Certificate (MPA):** NR - **Release (the US):** 23 October 2015 - **Genres:** Drama, Horror, Western - **Budget:** $2 million - **Box office:** $475,846 - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KNWbfRDEv8 ## Where to watch in the US - AMC+: streaming - The Roku Channel: free, hd - Tubi: free, hd - Amazon Prime Video: add-on - Apple TV: add-on, hd - The Roku Channel: add-on, hd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $2.99, sd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $9.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $9.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-17.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, FI, FR, GB, IE, IT, MX, NL, NO, PA, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - IFFR audience award 2016: IFFR audience award (nominated) - Sitges Film Festival Best Director award 2014: Sitges Film Festival Best Director award (won) ## If you liked this - *Ravenous* (1999): Another frontier appetite problem, with black humour and a more feverish atmosphere. - *The Proposition* (2005): An Australian western that subjects claims of civilisation to a punishing examination. - *The Great Silence* (1968): Snow replaces dust in a western with little faith in frontier justice. - *The Night of the Hunter* (1955): Patient rural terror, with room for human tenderness amid the menace. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-night-of-the-hunter.md) - *Bacurau* (2019): A Brazilian community faces outsiders in another patient, politically sharper collision of genres. --- © 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/bone-tomahawk