The trailer for Bone Tomahawk (2015), directed by S. Craig Zahler, sets the stage for a gritty, genre-blending film that combines elements of horror, western, and survival. Starring Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins, and Matthew Fox, the movie tells the story of a small-town sheriff and his companions who embark on a dangerous rescue mission to save captives from a tribe of violent, cannibalistic troglodytes.
From the outset, the trailer establishes the film’s Western setting, with sweeping shots of the vast, desolate frontier and the dusty town of Bright Hope. Kurt Russell’s character, Sheriff Franklin Hunt, emerges as a rugged, no-nonsense lawman, determined to maintain order in his town. The peaceful life of the townspeople is shattered when a local woman, Samantha (played by Lili Simmons), and two men go missing under mysterious circumstances.
As the trailer unfolds, it introduces Patrick Wilson’s character, Arthur O’Dwyer, Samantha’s husband, who is injured but determined to join the rescue mission. Matthew Fox’s character, Brooder, a refined yet deadly gunslinger, and Richard Jenkins as the loyal deputy Chicory, round out the team. Together, they form a posse that sets out on a perilous journey into the unknown.
The tone of the trailer shifts dramatically when it becomes clear that the captives are in the hands of a savage and almost supernatural group of cave-dwelling cannibals. The shift from classic Western to horror is palpable, with eerie shots of the barren landscape, unsettling sounds, and glimpses of the bone-chilling violence that awaits the rescuers. The trailer hints at the brutal and disturbing nature of the troglodytes, with their grotesque bone weapons and primal savagery, setting the stage for a violent and terrifying showdown.
The performances of the cast, particularly Kurt Russell as the grizzled and determined sheriff, are highlighted in the trailer, along with the film’s tense and atmospheric tone. The score adds to the growing sense of dread, slowly building tension as the posse ventures deeper into the wilderness and closer to danger.
Overall, the Bone Tomahawk trailer captures the film’s unique blend of Western adventure and horror, teasing a brutal and suspenseful story about survival, loyalty, and the horrors that lurk in the wild. The trailer promises a dark, gripping experience for fans of both genres, anchored by a strong cast and an unpredictable plot.