Though American movie director Ti West is finest recognized for his model of horror cinema, followers of the X franchise ought to take a look at his underrated 2016 western, In a Valley of Violence. Not solely does the movie characteristic the graphic carnage West is thought for, nevertheless it additionally marks one of many few non-horror outings in West’s filmmaking evolution. Since then, West has remained within the horror style whereas branching out into TV dramas through The Resident, Soundtrack, and, most just lately, Poker Face.
With West now in pre-production for the brand new darkish comedy Prime Video TV collection Bloodlust, it is price watching In A Valley of Violence to see how far he has come as a director and the place his abilities are headed. It is also price witnessing Ethan Hawke’s commanding efficiency reverse John Travolta, each of whom shine regardless of not often starring in Westerns.
What Is ‘In a Valley of Violence’ About?
Influenced by Excessive Plains Drifter and First Blood, In a Valley of Violence pairs Ti West with Ethan Hawke and horror producer Jason Blum. The low-budget western facilities on Paul (Hawke), a drifter wandering by means of New Mexico together with his canine, Abbie, within the 1870s. Paul arrives in Denton, a moldering hub run by U.S. Marshal Clyde Martin (Travolta). When Paul is ambushed by Clyde’s posse for being an Indian Warfare deserter, a tragedy ensues that leads Paul on a gorily vengeful warpath.
Lean, imply, and dosed with absurd humor, In a Valley of Violence is at its easiest when Hawke and Travolta share the display. Regardless of being a low-budget Blumhouse Manufacturing, the 2 supremely gifted and skilled film stars give it their all and by no means pull again for a second. Though the story feels acquainted, it is extra concerning the execution than the originality, with basic tropes from American and spaghetti westerns informing the dramatic tone and visible fashion.
Among the many film’s gripping parts is the rapport between Paul and Mary-Ann (Taisa Farmiga), the sister of Clyde’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Paul and Mary-Ann type a powerful alliance after her would-be brother-in-law, Gilly (James Ransone), picks a struggle with Paul and orders his males to drive him out of city.
In the meantime, Mary-Ann’s sister, Ellen (Karen Gillan), vows to stay by Gilly’s facet after revealing she is pregnant together with his baby. The shifting household dynamics and unlikely alliances flip an in any other case formulaic revenge western into one thing extra unpredictable and value seeing. Ti West followers will respect his evolving filmmaking acumen, whereas Hawke followers will experience a strong, uncommon western film efficiency.
Ethan Hawke’s Western Pedigree
Earlier than In a Valley of Violence, Hawke starred in Richard Linklater’s western, The Newtown Boys. After starring in Valley of Violence, Hawke appeared in The Child and The Good Lord Chook, each of which featured western tropes and tenets. Paradoxically, the most important Western venture of Hawke’s profession, The Magnificent Seven, was additionally launched in 2016 and dwarfed In a Valley of Violence in consequence.
A star-studded affair led by Denzel Washington, The Magnificent Seven considerably outshot In A Valley of Violence on the field workplace. The previous was launched broadly and grossed over $162 million worldwide (through Field Workplace Mojo), whereas the latter had a restricted launch and earned a paltry $62,000 (through Field Workplace Mojo). As such, many had been robbed of Hawke’s highly effective main flip, anchoring In a Valley of Violence, which is arguably stronger than his supporting efficiency in The Magnificent Seven.
Since making his solely Western to this point, West has returned to the horror style, the place he reinvented his model with The X collection, together with X, Pearl, and MaXXXine. Up subsequent for West is a darkish comedy TV collection referred to as Bloodlust.
Every little thing To Know About Ti West’s Bloodlust
Though In a Valley of Violence was a industrial failure, it earned sufficient optimistic evaluations amongst critics to maintain Ti West’s profession going. The movie holds a 78% Licensed Recent Rotten Tomatoes score and a 64 Metascore, with many critics lauding the performances and spaghetti western send-ups. Whereas the poor monetary numbers could have discouraged West from making one other film till X in 2022, he is returned with exceptional aplomb in comparison with the place his profession began.
After directing the Child Cudi music video for “Neverland” and helming an episode of Peacock’s Poker Face in 2025, West now turns his sights to Bloodlust, a brand new darkish comedy collection for Prime Video created by pop sensation Halsey. West and Halsey beforehand labored collectively on MaXXXine, through which the pop singer performed the position of Tabby Martin.
As for Bloodlust, Selection reported in December 2024 that:
“Halsey is about to function the creator, author, and govt producer of “Bloodlust” for Amazon, however is just not going to star within the present. Ti West is hooked up to direct and govt produce, with Mark Friedman onboard as govt producer and showrunner. Anthony Li, Halsey’s supervisor, additionally govt produces. Amazon MGM Studios will produce.”
Though plot particulars stay shrouded, Bloodlust marks one other evolutionary step in West’s profession. For individuals who benefit from the X trilogy and need to see how far West has come as an indie, low-budget filmmaker, watching In a Valley of Violence earlier than Bloodlust will give them an appreciation for his inventive progress.
In the meantime, those that need to see Ethan Hawke in an even bigger position in The Magnificent Seven ought to give In a Valley of Violence a have a look at what’s arguably his finest efficiency in a western.