Westerns look like a dying breed. Only every now and then you get another western so it's waiting for a good one. Old Henry is one of those. Not very fast paced but certainly worth watching. No huge names either, although Tim Blake Nelson was perfect to play his character. The cinematography was good, the acting was more than good, and the story has a little twist that was clever. Definitely worth your time if you like westerns.
377 Reviews
Unique western with a twist
calicut11015 November 2021
Nelson shines in a low-budget Western with a killer final act
eddie_baggins23 February 2022
Much about new low budget western Old Henry feels familiar to anyone that has ever watched a grizzled and humorless take on the American west but that never stops director Potsy Pociroli's well-shot and acted drama from being an above average affair that gets extra points for allowing the always great Tim Blake Nelson a chance to take charge in a rare leading man role.
Seemingly heading towards an inevitable conclusion based around Nelson's quiet and solitary farmer Henry taking in Scott Haze's wounded Curry who is being pursued by Stephen Dorff's Ketchum and his determined posse, Old Henry has enough surprises and well developed character arcs within it to be become a genre crowd pleaser that kicks off big time with a memorable final act/reveal that is sure to get audiences talking.
Picturesquely shot around various United States locales, Ponciroli's visually appeasing outing never lingers too long on its various elements also, as we try and uncover the secret behind Henry's past, Curry's mysterious presence and Ketchum's motivations and end goals that is all played out well by its talented group of performers with Nelson in particular as good as his been in years as the gruff and no fuss Henry.
No stranger to the Western genre with key roles in the likes of The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and hugely underrated The Homesman, the rugged face of the supporting actor who stole scenes in such noteworthy films as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Lincoln and Syriana has rarely been given the chance in feature films to do the bulk of the work in front of the camera but he relishes the role his been given here by Ponciroli.
Neatly playing things cool throughout Old Henry's opening half, once we begin to gain more understanding about Henry's past and what has driven him to his life as a lowly farmer removed from the eyes of the wider population Nelson's smart turn really begins to pay-off with his understated but effective work here making this bloody western outing more than the sum of its parts where it may become more workmanlike with both Haze and Dorff not getting a lot too do in their respective roles but Nelson more than makes up for it in his memorable turn.
Final Say -
Many components of Old Henry feel overly familiar and unsurprising but Potsy Ponciroli and his leading man do enough to make sure that this low-budget but effective western offering is going to be sure fire hit with longstanding fans of the genre with the films rip-roaring finale ensuring the film ends on a high note also.
3 1/2 newspaper clippings out of 5.
For more reviews check out Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)
Seemingly heading towards an inevitable conclusion based around Nelson's quiet and solitary farmer Henry taking in Scott Haze's wounded Curry who is being pursued by Stephen Dorff's Ketchum and his determined posse, Old Henry has enough surprises and well developed character arcs within it to be become a genre crowd pleaser that kicks off big time with a memorable final act/reveal that is sure to get audiences talking.
Picturesquely shot around various United States locales, Ponciroli's visually appeasing outing never lingers too long on its various elements also, as we try and uncover the secret behind Henry's past, Curry's mysterious presence and Ketchum's motivations and end goals that is all played out well by its talented group of performers with Nelson in particular as good as his been in years as the gruff and no fuss Henry.
No stranger to the Western genre with key roles in the likes of The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and hugely underrated The Homesman, the rugged face of the supporting actor who stole scenes in such noteworthy films as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Lincoln and Syriana has rarely been given the chance in feature films to do the bulk of the work in front of the camera but he relishes the role his been given here by Ponciroli.
Neatly playing things cool throughout Old Henry's opening half, once we begin to gain more understanding about Henry's past and what has driven him to his life as a lowly farmer removed from the eyes of the wider population Nelson's smart turn really begins to pay-off with his understated but effective work here making this bloody western outing more than the sum of its parts where it may become more workmanlike with both Haze and Dorff not getting a lot too do in their respective roles but Nelson more than makes up for it in his memorable turn.
Final Say -
Many components of Old Henry feel overly familiar and unsurprising but Potsy Ponciroli and his leading man do enough to make sure that this low-budget but effective western offering is going to be sure fire hit with longstanding fans of the genre with the films rip-roaring finale ensuring the film ends on a high note also.
3 1/2 newspaper clippings out of 5.
For more reviews check out Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)
Thankfully not another cheap looking streaming western.
amesmonde16 October 2021
A farmer defending an injured man from a posse has his true identity called into question.
From the opening director Potsy Ponciroli's offering, you know your not having to sit through another glossy looking made for streaming looking western. It has a filmatic look with wonderful cinematography from John Matysiak. It's centred around the homestead and every inch of location used, giving a feel of solitude and hopelessness. This with some old school editing by Jamie Kirkpatrick and Ponciroli's visual flare and attention to detail echo Pale Rider and is reminiscent at times of modern great westerns, emulating The Unforgiven, with touch of the classics.
Complimented by Jordan Lehning music Stephen Dorff leaves an impression as Ketchum and showcase why he should be making more quality films. Old Henry is clearly Tim Blake Nelson's vehicle, he gives a solid, steely performance. Throwing in a few twist Ponciroli with his writing hat on leans on the tropes of the genre while not shying away from the harsh reality of the Wild West that all accumulates to a satisfactory conclusion. Recommend.
From the opening director Potsy Ponciroli's offering, you know your not having to sit through another glossy looking made for streaming looking western. It has a filmatic look with wonderful cinematography from John Matysiak. It's centred around the homestead and every inch of location used, giving a feel of solitude and hopelessness. This with some old school editing by Jamie Kirkpatrick and Ponciroli's visual flare and attention to detail echo Pale Rider and is reminiscent at times of modern great westerns, emulating The Unforgiven, with touch of the classics.
Complimented by Jordan Lehning music Stephen Dorff leaves an impression as Ketchum and showcase why he should be making more quality films. Old Henry is clearly Tim Blake Nelson's vehicle, he gives a solid, steely performance. Throwing in a few twist Ponciroli with his writing hat on leans on the tropes of the genre while not shying away from the harsh reality of the Wild West that all accumulates to a satisfactory conclusion. Recommend.
good REVEAL!
A_Different_Drummer8 October 2021
Irony abounds. Six decades ago you could not turn on the TV or go to a theatre without bumping into a western. Today they are few and far between. (Except for the fact that Clint Eastwood is still starring in them, which is just plain odd). So when this little gem shows up, with the guts to bet the farm (literally) on a tight script and a BIG REVEAL, you really have to take off your hat and salute it.
Instant Classic Western
celt0078 October 2021
Very enjoyable, a good film and better than fair western
namstonk11 October 2021
Is it a 10/10 as some are saying? NO. Is it below 5/10? Definitely not, it is a well above average film. The acting, score, cinematography are all very good, the script itself is also decent for its limitations, the only downside for me is that once you recognize a name it's pretty obvious the way it's going.
However, this film had no clear press as I am aware of but, it deserves it compared to some of the rubbish that has recently been released. Is it the standard of Unforgiven or Open Range no, but it is a solid movie.
However, this film had no clear press as I am aware of but, it deserves it compared to some of the rubbish that has recently been released. Is it the standard of Unforgiven or Open Range no, but it is a solid movie.
Finally a good western with an amazeballs showdown.
Fella_shibby14 October 2021
Generous with a 10 cos i enjoyed this movie. Simple, ain't no wannabe critic.
In fact apart from being an enjoyable movie for genre fans like me, this one has top notch cinematography, first class actors and a simple yet engrossing screenplay.
Tim Blake Nelson's posture, body movements, his worn out face n eyes fits the character n the revelation perfectly.
The sudden character transformation is amazeballs.
It was good to see Stephen Dorff aft Jackals n True Detective S3.
Many may compare it with the masterpiece Unforgiven but i think that's unfair.
In fact apart from being an enjoyable movie for genre fans like me, this one has top notch cinematography, first class actors and a simple yet engrossing screenplay.
Tim Blake Nelson's posture, body movements, his worn out face n eyes fits the character n the revelation perfectly.
The sudden character transformation is amazeballs.
It was good to see Stephen Dorff aft Jackals n True Detective S3.
Many may compare it with the masterpiece Unforgiven but i think that's unfair.
Nicely made
gsygsy15 October 2021
Well-written western, with an excellent central performance from Tim Blake Nelson as a farmer with more to him than meets the eye. Nelson is given top-flight support from Scott Haze and Stephen Dorff. I'm not so sure about the choice of Gavin Lewis, who plays Nelson's teenage son; he's less well cast, and feels urban in a way that the other actors in the cast don't.
It is a boy's night out, no question -- there aren't any female characters at all. Still, it's a nicely-made movie, carefully paced, with a tumultuous last reel.
It is a boy's night out, no question -- there aren't any female characters at all. Still, it's a nicely-made movie, carefully paced, with a tumultuous last reel.
Not even my type of movie, but very good
lusciousmuffins3 October 2021
I am truly baffled by the film industry.
Even when Hollywood manages to make a good movie, they do nothing to promote it.
Westerns are not really my cup of tea; however, this one was very well done.
Using the frontier in the early 1900s as a backdrop, this film creates action and suspense without relying on massive explosions or over the top special effects.
This is a perfect example of a filmmaker who clearly understands that if you want to make an engaging film, the story trumps everything else.
What other movies get so wrong this movie gets right, by focusing on character and plot development.
That is not to say the script is all this movie has to offer.
The cast deliver quality performances and the set and costume design evoke the stark reality of a different time in our history.
Whether or not you are a fan of Westerns, this is a film well worth your time.
Hopefully, word of mouth will do for this movie what the production company could not be bothered to do; namely, garner it the attention it deserves.
Even when Hollywood manages to make a good movie, they do nothing to promote it.
Westerns are not really my cup of tea; however, this one was very well done.
Using the frontier in the early 1900s as a backdrop, this film creates action and suspense without relying on massive explosions or over the top special effects.
This is a perfect example of a filmmaker who clearly understands that if you want to make an engaging film, the story trumps everything else.
What other movies get so wrong this movie gets right, by focusing on character and plot development.
That is not to say the script is all this movie has to offer.
The cast deliver quality performances and the set and costume design evoke the stark reality of a different time in our history.
Whether or not you are a fan of Westerns, this is a film well worth your time.
Hopefully, word of mouth will do for this movie what the production company could not be bothered to do; namely, garner it the attention it deserves.
Western with an annoying Teenager
bbv-6923710 October 2021
When are they going to learn that putting 'modern' self-opinionated ignorant spoiled teenagers in a movie, is just so annoying to adult viewers. A young boy back in those days did not ever act like a spoiled female teenager - and I for one do not want to see them ever again in any movie. Spider man is about the limit - anything else is ridiculously stupid. This could have been a very good western along the lines of Unforgiven - but the teenager ruined it. Think Unforgiven but with a annoying self-centred teenager always doing the wrong thing, and in the end getting Clint Eastwood killed.
Tim Blake Nelson rules
SnoopyStyle28 May 2022
It's 1906 Oklahoma territories. Henry (Tim Blake Nelson) is a dirt farmer. His son Wyatt (Gavin Lewis) is desperate to get out from under his thumb and learn to shoot guns for himself. One day, Henry finds Curry (Scott Haze) shot and left for dead. He also finds a satchel full of cash and immediately sees the danger. He obviously doesn't want to get involved. Nevertheless, he brings Curry home and treated back to health. Ketchum (Stephen Dorff) arrives with his men looking for Curry. They claim to be lawmen looking for a fugitive. Henry knows better.
Tim Blake Nelson is the man. The only flaw in his character is the times he's just standing out in the open in front of his house. It made me very uncomfortable. I wanted to scream at him to take cover but I also understand the premise that he sees no threat from these gunmen. It's not true but I get the literary flourish. I do love the way he stands like a real gunfighter. It's subtle but obvious. The kid is more problematic. It's not only his attitude but his manner of speech. Sure, he's whiney but he's almost whining with an ill-fitting voice. He's trying too hard and stands out like a sore thumb. I also question Dorff's performance. His acting is a bit too modern. He has a natural casualness. He needs a darker quieter menace for the role. He may not be cast right. In the end, it's all about Tim Blake Nelson and the man rules.
Tim Blake Nelson is the man. The only flaw in his character is the times he's just standing out in the open in front of his house. It made me very uncomfortable. I wanted to scream at him to take cover but I also understand the premise that he sees no threat from these gunmen. It's not true but I get the literary flourish. I do love the way he stands like a real gunfighter. It's subtle but obvious. The kid is more problematic. It's not only his attitude but his manner of speech. Sure, he's whiney but he's almost whining with an ill-fitting voice. He's trying too hard and stands out like a sore thumb. I also question Dorff's performance. His acting is a bit too modern. He has a natural casualness. He needs a darker quieter menace for the role. He may not be cast right. In the end, it's all about Tim Blake Nelson and the man rules.
Better than expected.
paulwattriley13 October 2021
As the title this was much better than I expected. I didn't know much about the film other than Old Henry was a farmer and had to defend his homestead against a posse.
Its a bit slow after the start but come to life late on. I eneded up kicking myself as even though it was clear the farmer was no ordinary farmer and I knew the name Henry McCarty I never made the connection initially until the final confrontation.
A fitting tribute to the kid.
Its a bit slow after the start but come to life late on. I eneded up kicking myself as even though it was clear the farmer was no ordinary farmer and I knew the name Henry McCarty I never made the connection initially until the final confrontation.
A fitting tribute to the kid.
Great Western
billcr1211 November 2021
Tim Blake Nelson is Old Henry, a seemingly simple farmer who lives with his teenage son on a farm in turn of the century Oklahoma. He rescues a wounded man with a satchel and eventually must make choices in order to protect himself and his son. An all male cast is unusual in the modern era and they are all excellent. The story is has twists and turns which are based on historical people. The scenery is beautiful and Nelson should earn an Oscar nomination.
A small classic reminiscent of Unforgiven. Good viewing.
JohnDeSando16 October 2021
Film westerns are sometimes like the dime novels that so frequently supported the tall tales therein-minimalist and fabulous. However, now and then an authentic and harrowing story like Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven rides in and changes things. I also characterize Old Henry, an Amazon original starring Tim Blake Nelson in the title role, of striking out for new fictional territory, although having a whiff of Unforgiven in the telling.
Henry (Nelson) is a farmer seemingly hiding out for no reason known to anyone, certainly not his teen son, Wyatt (Gavin Lewis), who nonetheless suspects dad may be more than a simple farmer.
As writer/director Potsy Ponciroli incrementally distributes Henry's back story, the film becomes not only thrilling with possibilities but also a decidedly trenchant commentary on the outcomes of choices early in life that refuse to go away no matter how we try to escape them.
Who to trust? That's a whole other topic of this minor classic.
Enter the stranger who changes things, Curry (Scott Haze), wounded and taken in by Henry, only to be followed by a gang of desperados wanting their stolen money back from Curry. The banter between Henry and lead bad boy Ketchum (Stephen Dorff) is the stuff of terse, pulpy, and sardonic inuendo, like the opening of Tarantino's Inglourious Bastards, with Christof Waltz doing veiled threatening over a glass of milk. Ponciroli shows a dialogue talent that suggests much more than it says.
Besides dialogue, this oater has the requisite satchel of cash to move the story, which eschews the Chaucerian greed motif (think The Pardoner's Tale) to get to the heart of the matter-a dad meeting a son on common ground for survival-and the quick surrender of dad Henry's dictatorship to allow son Wyatt to grow into a heroic equal.
The landscape is stark, the cabin is spare, and yet there is depth of history for dad and care for Wyatt. The bad guys, bound for a reckoning with a hidden force in Henry, are the typical western villains who embody the ambivalence of the wide-open territory (they aren't really lawmen bringing justice to the frontier), fraught with danger but a promise of a new life redeemed from violence but not after violence has a hand. As in Eastwood, combating an evil past and setting the record straight requires heroism of a small but symbolically significant consequence for these little lives on the Western plains.
Henry is a player of consequence, a part of history told in one of the cleverest reveals ever. Old Henry is a small adventure that means more than it appears. On Prime.
Henry (Nelson) is a farmer seemingly hiding out for no reason known to anyone, certainly not his teen son, Wyatt (Gavin Lewis), who nonetheless suspects dad may be more than a simple farmer.
As writer/director Potsy Ponciroli incrementally distributes Henry's back story, the film becomes not only thrilling with possibilities but also a decidedly trenchant commentary on the outcomes of choices early in life that refuse to go away no matter how we try to escape them.
Who to trust? That's a whole other topic of this minor classic.
Enter the stranger who changes things, Curry (Scott Haze), wounded and taken in by Henry, only to be followed by a gang of desperados wanting their stolen money back from Curry. The banter between Henry and lead bad boy Ketchum (Stephen Dorff) is the stuff of terse, pulpy, and sardonic inuendo, like the opening of Tarantino's Inglourious Bastards, with Christof Waltz doing veiled threatening over a glass of milk. Ponciroli shows a dialogue talent that suggests much more than it says.
Besides dialogue, this oater has the requisite satchel of cash to move the story, which eschews the Chaucerian greed motif (think The Pardoner's Tale) to get to the heart of the matter-a dad meeting a son on common ground for survival-and the quick surrender of dad Henry's dictatorship to allow son Wyatt to grow into a heroic equal.
The landscape is stark, the cabin is spare, and yet there is depth of history for dad and care for Wyatt. The bad guys, bound for a reckoning with a hidden force in Henry, are the typical western villains who embody the ambivalence of the wide-open territory (they aren't really lawmen bringing justice to the frontier), fraught with danger but a promise of a new life redeemed from violence but not after violence has a hand. As in Eastwood, combating an evil past and setting the record straight requires heroism of a small but symbolically significant consequence for these little lives on the Western plains.
Henry is a player of consequence, a part of history told in one of the cleverest reveals ever. Old Henry is a small adventure that means more than it appears. On Prime.
Expecting Buster Scruggs and got Young Guns!
wow-2416723 October 2021
A Big Surprise
nowego9 October 2021
I went into this one without even bothering to read the reviews and it blew me away.
Extremely well done, the acting from all involved was top notch, especially Tim Blake Nelson, who really showed he is a quality actor.
There is nothing over the top involved the story is just a story with the "good guys" coming out on top against the odds. Except who really knows who the good guys are.
Definitely a movie that could be watched more than once. It loses 2 stars for me due to the flashbacks, those were not really required and made the movie a bit confusing.
8/10 and highly recommended.
Extremely well done, the acting from all involved was top notch, especially Tim Blake Nelson, who really showed he is a quality actor.
There is nothing over the top involved the story is just a story with the "good guys" coming out on top against the odds. Except who really knows who the good guys are.
Definitely a movie that could be watched more than once. It loses 2 stars for me due to the flashbacks, those were not really required and made the movie a bit confusing.
8/10 and highly recommended.
A good watch
am-by13 January 2022
One of the greatest moments!
the_dimbster19 July 2022
Don't look up anything about this movie and just watch it. There's an incredible scene that I thought was absolutely amazing and it's best if you don't know why it's good, but just rest assured that this western does well to create a tense situation. It's a bit of a slow burn, but I loved a couple of its scenes. It's mostly just OK and I'm not rushing to rewatch it, but the experience of that first watch was great.
Reminds us why we love westerns
DeadMansTrousers10 October 2021
First of all the acting was superb on all accounts. I love a good western film and yes this is a slow burn thriller but once the action kicks in there are some beautifully choreographed gunfights and while I expected there to be a reveal of who the main character was in the past I never would've guessed what it ended up being. This is easily one of the most entertaining westerns I have seen in recent years and I highly recommend it if you're a fan of the genre.
A solid all round movie. A good watch.
CrazyArty11 March 2022
A decent modern take on a Western. A farmer finds a wounded man with a bag full of cash on his property.
Stars Tim Blake Nelson and Stephen Dorff.
Tim Blake Nelson is not a natural looking leading man but does a really good job. Dorff is also credible.
I liked this film. It has feeling and heart, a good plot with action and tension.
A solid watch.
Stars Tim Blake Nelson and Stephen Dorff.
Tim Blake Nelson is not a natural looking leading man but does a really good job. Dorff is also credible.
I liked this film. It has feeling and heart, a good plot with action and tension.
A solid watch.
A Great Western
AbhiSh4ke8 October 2021
Don't let the lack of big names fool you this movie is a diamond in rough. Script is great with plenty of twists to keep the story engaging and acting is very good. Definitely give this a watch if you are a western fan.
Tim Blake Nelson is a great actor!
MovieIQTest7 December 2023
Tim Blake Nelson is a great actor! An actor who does not rely on a pretty handsome face or a tall physical body (5'5"), but completely by his fantastic performance to play all the roles in his movies. He is such a versatile actor that could play almost any character in any movie.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and Leaves of Grass (2009). The characters he played, all turned out to be so great, powerful, entertaining, and memorable. It's unbelievable such an ordinary person could find jobs in the cruel society of the Hollywood. His success only proved that as long as you're really talented in acting, you still can survive in that crucial environment.
Only a few Western genre movies that really interested me to watch, not just once, but several times:
Blazing Saddles (1974), Clint Eastwood's 1992 Unforgiven, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), The Salvation (2014) and, this 2021 Old Henry.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and Leaves of Grass (2009). The characters he played, all turned out to be so great, powerful, entertaining, and memorable. It's unbelievable such an ordinary person could find jobs in the cruel society of the Hollywood. His success only proved that as long as you're really talented in acting, you still can survive in that crucial environment.
Only a few Western genre movies that really interested me to watch, not just once, but several times:
Blazing Saddles (1974), Clint Eastwood's 1992 Unforgiven, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), The Salvation (2014) and, this 2021 Old Henry.
Fine Piece
Tweetienator12 July 2022
A very simple, reduced Western movie with some fine shooting. An excellent cast, cinematography and production make Old Henry a worthy contribution to the genre, including a hilarious Hannibal Rising moment. Not masterclass but good.
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