Bone Tomahawk

RLJ Entertainment | Release Date: October 23, 2015

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 238 Ratings

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User Reviews

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Compi24Jun 12, 2019

A film I was really looking forward to that ended up disappointing for reasons I didn't quite expect. One of the things I've always heard about writer/director S. Craig Zahler's films is that they're always impeccably written, with a lot ofA film I was really looking forward to that ended up disappointing for reasons I didn't quite expect. One of the things I've always heard about writer/director S. Craig Zahler's films is that they're always impeccably written, with a lot of the character and plotting work feeling as authentic as possible. This couldn't be more true in "Bone Tomahawk's" case. The characters all feel as textured and as fleshed out as can be, featuring specific quirks, worldviews, and ways of speaking that really help add to the overall sense of realism in the film. Also operating on the keyword "realism" is the narrative, which unfurls itself at a pace and fashion that's cautious, but also exhilaratingly unpredictable. So where do things go wrong for me? Well, this is a very unique film in terms of style. Surprisingly so, in fact. There's little to no score, a mostly refreshing lack of standard editing and blocking techniques, and very little actual goings-on until the climactic final act. This hyperrealistic flavor of cinematic filmmaking really makes the scenes where things are transpiring feel utterly thrilling and unpredictable, with the deemphasis of music and traditional editing techniques really putting you in a unique place as an audience member. But, again, once that's coupled with the tremendous amount of downtime and traveling scenes we have to witness, this sort of style can make for some rather potent spells of sluggishness. It's a completely legitimate and even momentarily brilliant first effort, but I'm more excited to see how this filmmaker grows from this admittedly imperfect experience.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Judge_ReddFeb 13, 2016

I give this a 5/10 to put it in the good-but-not-great category. The plot is original and engaging, though sometimes predictable. The script at times can be distracting in its unconventionality, but adds to the fingerprint of the film. TheI give this a 5/10 to put it in the good-but-not-great category. The plot is original and engaging, though sometimes predictable. The script at times can be distracting in its unconventionality, but adds to the fingerprint of the film. The acting on the part of the antagonists was cheesy, but in every other circumstance was spot on. The climax was a bit uninspiring, as was the conclusion, but I found myself rooting along with the characters. I enjoyed this movie, but would not write home about it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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zurnzurnDec 28, 2015

The setup is very well done, great feel, good characters, good dialogue... but it's all in service of a rather silly premise in the end. A pity not more care was taken with the antagonists.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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FibrofilmsSep 24, 2019

Just a bang average western. No fear factor. Decent acting but so damn boring and drawn out.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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JeanDuchampDec 5, 2015

Honestly, I didn't understand why the movie's rating is so shamelessly high. For me, it looks like some sort of conspiracy. Maybe there is something in it, just something. Some rare bits of merit: some professionalism displayed in costumes,Honestly, I didn't understand why the movie's rating is so shamelessly high. For me, it looks like some sort of conspiracy. Maybe there is something in it, just something. Some rare bits of merit: some professionalism displayed in costumes, makeup, even in camerawork sometimes. Nor an inspiration, neither an ingenuity, just some professionalism. Maybe the casting is not so bad, maybe even acting isn't so awful, maybe the general idea is also rather promising. But...

But somehow it happened that what we have in the issue is a complete fail. Why? It's inconsistent, improbable, childish, naive, impostrous and silly. To mention only this mythical cruel voracious homicidal highly dangerous and destructive tribe which in reality hardly could survive at all, at least for more than a couple of weeks if its members behaved in a way they are doing in this movie. Whatever their aims are, it seems, they are always choosing the most idiotic way to achieve them as possible. When they are geekishly jumping from the bushes on point blank gun shooting - what we supposed to presume in such moments? That they were hiding and waiting there for a long long time just to do... this? Why? Are they so hungry? They don't look emaciated however and maybe it worth for them to try something else besides humans? Just for a change... Seriously, this and other peculiarities prevent the movie from being taking seriously but not make it enough stupid for all that, they just don't reach the hilarious level of stupidity. What a pity!… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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Wraithe1Feb 8, 2016

There are aspects of this movie that are good, the acting being one of them, the costumes being another. The problems with this film are that there is no score to speak of which leaves the film feeling rather stagnant, the camera shots areThere are aspects of this movie that are good, the acting being one of them, the costumes being another. The problems with this film are that there is no score to speak of which leaves the film feeling rather stagnant, the camera shots are very claustrophobic, and in many cases the sets just looked bad. It felt more like I was watching a well acted student film or a small stage play rather than a movie. The cave scene was convincingly gruesome though so not a total waste of time.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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crazyoliSep 9, 2020

Savage Native Americans? Really? We're still not done with that? Oh, pardon - they were cannibalistic troglodytes! I know. The movie was solid otherwise. Not great mind you, just okay. It has the usual stupid character decisions that make noSavage Native Americans? Really? We're still not done with that? Oh, pardon - they were cannibalistic troglodytes! I know. The movie was solid otherwise. Not great mind you, just okay. It has the usual stupid character decisions that make no sense and are just there to drive the plot forward along with the usual magical healing abilities that many action heroes seem to have. Only when they need them of course. Everybody is willing to throw their lives away as well as is to be expected from these kinds of movies. The acting was sometimes decent and interesting and sometimes pretty cliche and shallow. I can't even single out one actor for that since each of them switched between those parameters. Only Simmons was especially unconvincing. Damsel in distress anyone? Not that she looked too desperate as a prisoner *wink*. The sound effects were a bit over the top. The gore was new for a Western movie (Yeah, it's labeled horror. I know.) but I was ok with that. What wasn't new though were the Western movie tropes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Tom_SupremeJun 28, 2022

After a thoroughly exciting beginning, the film drags and becomes extremely tough and boring to watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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