SerpApi.Org
As one of the most influential voices in the horror genre for half a century, Stephen King's opinion on any new horror movie or TV show is always worth paying attention to. While the prolific writer certainly keeps up with the latest major horror releases, he can't possibly expect to see them all, especially the more limited releases. That occasionally yields an after-the-fact review from the modern master of horror, some of which stand out more than others.
One of the more noteworthy recent late reviews from King was for a genre-bending epic that was equal parts classic Western and grisly horror movie. That's a rare combination, especially considering that it earned less than $500K at the box office despite boasting one of the biggest stars of the last 40 years. In 2024 King, who's responsible for an entire sub-genre of movies and television shows, bestowed praise upon S. Craig Zahler's stomach-churning Bone Tomahawk, and even dispersed a mea culpa in the process.
Stephen King Admitted He Slept On Kurt Russell's 'Bone Tomahawk'
In a post on X, the legendary writer wrote a brief yet glowing review of Bone Tomahawk, which started with him acknowledging his own initial lack of excitement:
I was expecting nothing but a time-passer on a rainy Wednesday morning, and got a low-budget Western epic. The dialogue alone makes it well worth watching. Beware the last act, when a man is literally torn apart.
King encapsulates what appears to be the consensus outlook on Bone Tomahawk for those who aren't die-hard Western or horror fans. On the surface, the only thing that it really appears to have going for it is Kurt Russell back in a glorious Western mustache. However, what lies beneath the surface is a tightly-scripted, well-paced Western epic that has scenes that will turn the stomach of even the most seasoned cinematic gore enthusiasts.
'Bone Tomahawk' Is Both an Underappreciated Western and an Underappreciated Horror Movie
King hits the nail on the head as far as what makes Bone Tomahawk such an elite Western adventure. The dialogue and witty repartee between Russell and his companions (who include a debonair Matthew Fox, straight-laced Patrick Wilson, and timid yet brave Richard Jenkins in three pitch-perfect complementary roles) is up there with some of the best modern and classic Westerns. Likewise, the story of a seasoned sheriff embarking on a journey to rescue three people kidnapped from his town strikes every single Western trope you could want it to without feeling repetitive or worn-out.
However, the third act is what makes it such a high-quality horror movie in addition to a Western. The cowboys in Bone Tomahawk don't find themselves battling against Indigenous warriors or the harsh elements of the unforgiving desert, but rather against cannibalistic troglodytes who are equal parts intimidating in their appearance and brutal in their treatment of their enemies and food sources. As King mentioned, what appears on the surface to be a "time-passer" for when there is nothing else on is actually a gripping genre film that should satisfy both old-school Western aficionados and horror-heads.
