This is an odd "western" which is more like a 19th century, "These Hills Have Eyes." An outlaw disturbs a sacred site of a group of isolated cannibal Native Americans. This brings trouble to the town of Bight Hope which results in a rescue party attempt into the home of the "Troglodyte" cave dwellers who would "rape and eat their own mothers."

This is a slightly different plot for a western, however it is just a different setting for a horror/slasher film without much horror. The film starts off by capturing your interest. It builds character, then slows, then hits you again. Then if drags (literally as one guy has a broken leg) as we spend too much time of our rescue group going after the cannibals.

Guide: sex and brief nudity.

Although no evidence that American Indians in the lower 48 has ever been involved with cannibalism has ever been offered that didn't stop the making of this horror/western. Bone Tomahawk stars Kurt Russell a little older and grayer than he was when he was starring as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone brought a little of that character to this role of a small town sheriff who leads a rescue posse for Lili Simmons who's been abducted by a tribe of cannibal Indians who dwell in the rock caves of the American Southwest.

Maybe back in the days they could have been considered a tribe, but they seem to have been reduced to a cult of some kind. There also doesn't seem to be any women among these Indians so I'm sure that Simmons was not abducted to be a main course. They are a frightening bunch painted white as they are with death from their arrows and knives coming out of nowhere.

I'm still at a loss why Kurt Russell didn't send for the cavalry as this was their thing, but instead takes Patrick Wilson who is Lili's husband, his deputy Richard Jenkins, and Matthew Fox a most civilized sort of gentleman who gets some peculiar jollies. Wounded and decimated as they are and drugged with a peculiar anesthetic that allows the Indians to snack on live victims the guys give it their best shot.

Bone Tomahawk seems to have acquired a cult status judging by the other commentary here. It's certainly not for the squeamish.

BONE TOMAHAWK is a really good western/horror movie that features exemplary direction from an unknown director and great performances from the small cast. It terms of plot it's nothing special, a 19th century reworking of THE HILLS HAVE EYES, but it's the execution that makes this such a great movie. Despite a two and a quarter hour running time the film is hugely suspenseful and soaked in a gritty, disturbing atmosphere.

I'd heard reports of this being a gore fest but it's no such thing; there are a handful of brutal moments but mainly this is a mood piece. The descent into a kind of hell is reminiscent of the likes of APOCALYPSE NOW and CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST and the every scene is carefully composed to add maximum depth and tension. The desert landscapes look fantastic, and the violence is all the more impactful for being used sparingly.

Cast-wise, Kurt Russell headlines the show and is quite brilliant, as usual; it's nice to see him being used properly after his turn in the lacklustre HATEFUL EIGHT (and boy, Tarantino could sure learn a thing or two from this film). Patrick Wilson does his dedicated everyman performance and is likable with it, and Matthew Fox is a real surprise as the brash and arrogant fellow who gets you on side regardless. Richard Jenkins, as the old timer, somehow keeps the whole thing together. As with the recent MAGNIFICENT SEVEN remake, BONE TOMAHAWK breathes new life into the almost forgotten western genre, making it worthy once more. I can't wait to watch it again.