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Hell or High Water
2016 102 min United States of America R 18+
★8.2
Western, Crime, Drama
Director: David Mackenzie
Trailers
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Teaser
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Description
A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family's farm in West Texas.
Budget:
$12M
US Gross:
$27.01M
Worldwide:
$37.6M
Starring
Chris Pine
Actor
Ben Foster
Actor
Jeff Bridges
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2017
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 2017
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 2017
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 2017
— Best Original Screenplay
Saturn Awards 2017
— Best Thriller
Academy Awards 2017
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 2017
— Best Picture (Drama)
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2017
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 2017
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 2017
— Best Supporting Actor
Saturn Awards 2017
— Best Screenplay
Academy Awards 2017
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 2017
— Best Supporting Actor
Cannes Film Festival 2016
— Un Certain Regard
Key opinion
Hell or High Water is a widely acclaimed neo-Western that blends a grounded crime narrative with a poignant exploration of modern economic struggle. The film is anchored by strong performances from its ensemble cast and a atmospheric score, though critics remain divided on the simplicity of the plot and the effectiveness of its pacing.
| Acting | The central performances from Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges provide a compelling, lived-in dynamic that elevates the character-driven narrative. | |
| Score | The evocative soundtrack by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis masterfully complements the desolate, dusty landscapes of West Texas. | |
| Screenplay | Taylor Sheridan’s screenplay successfully balances sharp, witty dialogue with a grim, existential critique of modern financial institutions. | |
| Production | The film effectively captures a modern Western aesthetic, utilizing the setting as a crucial character that highlights the decline of the rural frontier. | |
| Pacing | Viewers are split on the pacing; some find the measured, deliberate tempo essential to the film's gritty tone, while others perceive it as occasionally sluggish or inconsistent. | |
| Theme | Opinions diverge on the narrative's depth; while some praise its understated realism, others feel the plot is overly simple and lacks a sufficient emotional payoff at the conclusion. |