Summary

Stephen Kinghas called a Kurt Russell horror movie a “low-budget Western epic,” and the film rightfully deserves that description. In recent years, Stephen King has leveraged his reputation as one of the great horror authors to recommend and criticize films and TV shows that he ends up watching. While some of his reviews express his dissatisfaction towards popular movies and shows, others shed light on how much he enjoyed watching a particular show or a movie.

Although many of Stephen King’s social media reviews focus on new releases, every once in a while he watches a relatively old film or show and shares his insights on what he thinks about it. Recently, he did the same with a decade-old,relatively obscure Kurt Russell movie, which he enjoyed so much that he could not help but call it “epic.” King’s long line of work in horror gives him immense credibility, but his reviews may not always reflect universal opinions. However, in this case, he could not have been more right.

Collage of a closeup of Stephen King ad of him writing at his desk

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Stephen King’s Review Of Bone Tomahawk & Why He’s Right

Bone Tomahawk Is Indeed A “Western Epic”

In his Twitter review ofBone Tomahawk, Stephen King said that he purposefully chose a low-budget Western because he was looking for “a time-passer on a rainy Wednesday morning.” However, to his surprise, what he got was a “low-budget Western epic” that is “well worth watching.” Stephen King is right on the money with his review ofBone Tomahawkbecause, despite having a limited budget of $1.8 million, the film delivers on nearly every front.

From ultraviolent scenes to strangely compelling dialogue, from memorable performances to taut writing,Bone Tomahawknever leaves a dull moment in its 132-minute runtime. The film seamlessly blends genresby not only merging its Western aesthetic with horror but also by including surprising moments of dark humor. It also makes good use of its runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes by evenly fleshing out almost all of its characters, including the relatively minor ones. Although not all viewers may be able to stomach its gore, it stands out as a unique horror movie that transcends budgetary and genre constraints.

Sheriff Franklin and Arthur in scene from Bone Tomahawk

Bone Tomahawk Is Actually Great For Fans Of Stephen King

It Seems Reminiscent Of Stephen King’s Storytelling Style

LikeStephen King’s books,Bone Tomahawkdoes not shy away from taking a no-hold-barred approach towards horror. While it takes its time to initially immerse a viewer into its atmosphere, it keeps delivering one terror after another once its action begins. The film’s ability to offer levity in some of its darkest moments also seems reminiscent of how Stephen King brings dark comedy to some of his scariest tales without disrupting their overarching atmosphere.

Since Stephen King has also dabbled with Western elements inThe Dark Towerbooks,Bone Tomahawkseems the perfect film for anyone looking for a film that has traces of King’s style.

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The film’s exploration of moral ambiguity also reminds one ofKing’s portrayal of gray characters like Carrie White and Louis Creed. Since Stephen King has also dabbled with Western elements inThe Dark Towerbooks,Bone Tomahawkseems the perfect film for anyone looking for a film with traces of King’s style. Given how Bone Tomahawk echoes Stephen King’s work in more ways than one, it is not surprising that the King of Horror gave it his stamp of approval.

Bone Tomahawk

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.