Bone Tomahawk Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sheriff, a limping dude, a suave gunslinger, and a talkative deputy go on a camping trip that takes a *very* unexpected turn involving some unfriendly cave dwellers with unconventional dietary habits.

🍿 Bone Tomahawk: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Outlaws and a Grave Desecration

The film opens with outlaws Purvis and Buddy brutally murdering travelers. While hiding from approaching horses, they stumble upon a Native American burial ground. Buddy is killed by unseen forces, leaving Purvis to flee. This sets in motion a chain of events that unleashes a primal horror on the unsuspecting town of Bright Hope.

Kidnapping in Bright Hope

Eleven days later, Purvis arrives in Bright Hope and is arrested by Sheriff Hunt after a suspicious encounter. During the night, while Samantha, the doctor’s assistant, tends to Purvis’s gunshot wound in jail, both she, Deputy Nick, and Purvis vanish. All that remains is an ominous arrow, signaling a threat unlike any the town has faced before.

The Rescue Party Assembles

Sheriff Hunt assembles a rescue party including the injured Arthur (Samantha’s husband), the elderly backup deputy Chicory, and the educated gunslinger Brooder. They learn from a Native American that the captives were taken by a clan of cannibalistic troglodytes dwelling in the Valley of the Starving Men. Their journey into the unknown is fraught with peril, testing their resolve and revealing the savage nature of their enemy.

Ambush and Betrayal

The journey becomes increasingly arduous. Brooder kills two Mexican travelers out of paranoia, leading to further complications. Later, horse thieves leave the group on foot, and Arthur’s leg injury worsens. The rescue party dwindles as Brooder and Arthur are left behind, leaving Hunt and Chicory to face the troglodytes alone.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sheriff Hunt (Kurt Russell): The steadfast sheriff of Bright Hope, leading a rescue posse against cannibalistic cave dwellers.
• Arthur (Patrick Wilson): A determined rancher with a broken leg, desperately seeking to rescue his kidnapped wife.
• Brooder (Matthew Fox): A skilled and arrogant gunslinger with a dark past, joining the posse with his own agenda.
• Chicory (Richard Jenkins): The aging, well-meaning backup deputy, providing comic relief and unexpected wisdom to the group.
• Samantha (Lili Simmons): Arthur’s wife and the town doctor’s assistant, kidnapped by the Troglodytes.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sheriff Hunt: “Say goodbye to my wife. I’ll say hello to yours.” – Spoken by Sheriff Hunt, with cold determination when the cannibal leader is about to kill him.
• Chicory: “It’s about 9:00, but it feels like next week.” – Chicory says this, to express how long and arduous the journey feels.
• John Brooder: “Civilization doesn’t extend that far.” – Brooder’s grim assessment of the lawless and brutal nature of the untamed West and the horrors they face.
• Sheriff Hunt: “We’re gonna do what a posse does, Mr. Wallington. We’re gonna go get ’em.” – Sheriff Hunt calmly declaring their resolve, and affirming what a posse does.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.8M
• Domestic Gross: $0.05M
• Worldwide Gross: $0.38M

💥 Bone Tomahawk Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, this movie was a trip. I went in expecting a standard western but got a horror show I never saw coming. The first half is slow, like *really* slow, but it builds the tension so well. The characters felt real, especially Richard Jenkins as Chicory; he was hilarious! Then, BAM! The last act… I had to look away during *that* scene. Seriously disturbing. Despite the gore, I was hooked. It’s not for everyone, but if you can handle the horror, it’s a unique ride. Highly recommended.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Westerns with a dark twist”
  • “Horror enthusiasts who appreciate gore and suspense”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slow-burn narratives with strong character development”
  • “Those seeking a unique and genre-bending film experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Extreme violence and gore”
  • “Cannibalism”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Bone Tomahawk bravely mixes western grit with visceral horror, creating an uneasy but compelling experience. Zahler’s dialogue is sharp, and the performances, particularly from Russell and Jenkins, ground the outlandish premise.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A slow burn that pays off with intense, shocking violence. Bone Tomahawk blends genres effectively, elevated by strong character work and a commitment to its grim vision of the West. Not for the faint of heart!
• Empire: “Expertly crafted with measured pacing, rich character development, and surprising bursts of violence, Bone Tomahawk delivers a unique genre experience that will linger in the memory. Kurt Russell’s portrayal of Sheriff Hunt is fantastic.

Audience Reactions

The dialogue and character interactions were top-notch, making the slow burn worthwhile.: Many viewers praised the unique blend of western and horror elements, citing the strong performances and suspenseful atmosphere as highlights.

Kurt Russell’s performance as Sheriff Hunt was a standout, capturing the stoicism and grit of the old west.: The realistic and brutal violence, although disturbing, was appreciated for its impact and commitment to the film’s vision.

Overall Consensus: Bone Tomahawk is a polarizing film. While praised for its unique genre blend, strong performances, and suspenseful build-up, it is also criticized for its slow pace and graphic violence. Not for everyone, but a memorable experience for those who can stomach it.

Awards

1. Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (Best Wide-Release Film)- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in just 21 days, an incredibly short production schedule for a Western-horror film.”
• “Kurt Russell was very committed to playing Sheriff Hunt; the film may not have been made without him.”
• “Writer and director S. Craig Zahler also wrote the film’s soundtrack.”
• “The ‘cannibalistic troglodytes’ were designed to look like a separate species of humanoids, to visually separate them from any real Native American tribes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bone Tomahawk?

Bone Tomahawk is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for broadcast schedules on cable networks like AMC or IFC. While streaming subscriptions may vary, keep an eye on services like Shudder or Tubi for potential additions to their horror genre offerings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bone Tomahawk, you might like these similar films:

• The Burrowers (2008): Shares the Western and horror genre mix, featuring a group hunting subterranean creatures.
• Ravenous (1999): A period piece that combines historical fiction with cannibalism, exploring the dark side of human survival.
• The Searchers (1956): Classic Western about a long, arduous search for kidnapped family members, focusing on the dark side of the American West.
• The Hateful Eight (2015): A Western with a focus on dialogue and suspense, punctuated by sudden bursts of extreme violence, with Kurt Russell.

🛒 Bone Tomahawk Related Products

• Bone Tomahawk [Blu-ray]: Own the film that critics are raving about. A must have for any collector.
• Frontier Old West Cowboy Sheriff Costume: Embody your favorite sheriff.
• Western Movie Poster Pack: Curate a collection of western art.
• Bone Tomahawk Script (Digital Download): Dive deep into the plot of Bone Tomahawk

🎧 Soundtrack

Bone Tomahawk features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Four Doomed Men Ride Out” – performed by Jeff Herriott & S. Craig Zahler

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Brutality Of BONE TOMAHAWK

If you’re a fan of Bone Tomahawk and want to delve deeper into its gruesome and violent elements, check out this video for a thought-provoking analysis. It’s a must-watch for those interested in exploring the film’s darkest moments.

BONE TOMAHAWK (2015) Explained | Movie Recap

Looking to fully grasp the intricate plot and themes of Bone Tomahawk? This video offers a comprehensive explanation, breaking down the movie’s key elements. Dive into the depths of the film and gain a deeper appreciation for its narrative.

Bone Tomahawk (2015) Carnage Count

Prepare for a gruesome journey as this video meticulously counts every death in Bone Tomahawk. Discover the extent of the film’s carnage and gain a fresh perspective on its relentless brutality.

Bone Tomahawk: Western Horror That Took A Bite Out Of Audiences

If you’re fascinated by the fusion of Western and horror, don’t miss this video. It dissects Bone Tomahawk’s masterful storytelling and examines why it has resonated so deeply with fans of both genres.

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