The Neo-Western Genre in Movies | Video Essay

In today's video we explore the neo-western genre, how it came to be and why it feels different from the western genre. There are a lot of different descriptions of the movies that make up the neo-western genre, mainly because it's still a new genre that lacks defined rules but for the sake of this video, it will be described as the following:
Movies that share the same themes as the westerns but in a modern setting.
We take a look at five movies that could be considered neo-westerns and the recurring theme they share.
Video made by Moises & Sergio Velasquez
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-------------Sources:
1- Book: The Coen Brothers: The Iconic Filmmakers and Their Work by Ian Nathan
2- Quentin Tarantino interview: danratherjournalist.org/inter...
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By Eduardo Gonzalez
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#Movies #Neo-Westerns

[@Screened]

What are your favorite Neo-Western movies? Here are some of ours: boxd.it/4xJeA

[@alechall7082]

Logan, in black and white

[@phoenicc935]

Hell or High Water and Wind River are great. Really looking for next Taylor Sheridan's film

[@curiousworld7912]

'Hostiles' and 'Wind River' are my two favorites.

[@XxSatanicSlayerxX]

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The Soundtrack and Deakins Camerawork makes this a Masterpiece.

[@curiousworld7912]

@@XxSatanicSlayerxX Yes - that's a greatly underrated movie.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

So basically, if there's a desert, it's probably a Neo Western

[@Screened]

Or snow

[@elias8931]

@@Screened is django a neo western?

[@kennethha416]

@@elias8931 yeah

[@kennethha416]

ha true oh hi again

[@Udontkno7]

and guns

[@SedentaryArtist]

I would say that El Camino, the Breaking Bad movie, is a Neo-Western. Would you agree?

[@Screened]

Yeah that would be a neo-western 👍

[@JacksonBlackmon]

Absolutely! It even ends with a showdown

[@YoRHaCorb]

Jackson Blackmon best scene in the movie

[@eerieafro4250]

gd right

[@ftgwynn]

Such a great film. I got a ticket when it released because one theater in my city was showing it. I watched it in the theater, went home, watched it again on netflix

[@karlchandran4631]

I am a fan of many genres. Neo- Westerns have always occupied a place of interest for me, and particularly my late father. This genre isn't just a western set in modern times. It takes us to an environment and explores a general lack of rules, with characters guided by a singular moral compass, and a desire to find justice. Rooted in forms of neglect, violence, and systematic abuse, characters find themselves using the rules they have created as a guideline for how they seek justice. My father was a fan of this genre, especially films by Sam Pekinpah. I thoroughly enjoyed the video and it's exploration of life, death and struggle.

[@matthewc1965]

he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@thecountofmontecristo2796]

Wind River doesn't get enough attention

[@tarcisiorodrigues9244]

I for one am watching all references from this channel. Wind River seems to be the next.

[@ulyssesdenice5071]

YES. THIS.

[@kamuelalee]

Great film!

[@Hunk62]

Many of Jeremy Renner's movies don't. Everyone just knows hims as hawkeye, wich is just sad.

[@paparico5327]

i second this! everytime someone asks for a movie recommendation, i almost always mention Wind River. of course it’s not for everyone, what with the sensitivity of the subject matter and a few scenes. regardless, one of favorite movies of all time.

[@Pargo666]

Man, I do love Neo-Westerns. Thanks for this great video!

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@matthewc1965]

Ermac Fernetero he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@michaelbloomer451]

Best films around at the moment

[@zachsrhine]

thought the same, what a cool video!

[@TitanTraining4Teens]

"It's always hardest for those who live in the transition period"... Arthur Morgan and John marston Damn!...

[@agus.lorenzo]

*buys popcorn* Guys, Im in the mood for a movie that englobes the realization and awareness that many of the stories and myths that we were encourage to believe might be false, charged with action and fireguns that symbolize the journey inside of a man traveling hundreds of miles into the desert, and into the depths of his soul” -Oh, you mean you wanna watch a cowboy flick?

[@thedude5948]

I'll give you Rango.

[@MrAnonymous46]

@@thedude5948 One of the Best Westerns and one of the best animated movies. Seriously underrated

[@Joe-ww8uw]

@@MrAnonymous46 fr Surprised he didn't bring it up here

[@ryanmargetts]

Current masters of the Neo-Western: Taylor Sheridan, Denis Villeneuve, Roger Deakins, Coen Bro's, and James Mangold. I'll see anything these men make.

[@michaelbloomer451]

Passionately agree!

[@Capn_FTB]

I ain't gonna lie, I highly recommend the mandalorian for people who like neo-westerns. It may be a star wars show, but oh man does it give me those neo-western vibes. Deserts, shootouts, standoffs, space horses, and the mandalorian is like a space cowboy but not in a corny way.

[@potatochips2552]

the soundtrack are awesome too

[@nikolaibelinski960]

Also Cowboy bebop

[@eggdogtim8593]

@@nikolaibelinski960 why has no one said that it's the best one there is

[@Capn_FTB]

@@nikolaibelinski960 agreed

[@JASONbinWAYNE]

I've always said that Firefly was neo-Western with colonies essentially western outposts and the tug of war between gangs across the landscape / spacescape.

[@alexanderdavis1128]

Sicario, Wind River, Hell or High Water, and Yellowstone. All excellent examples of Neo Westerns. All written by Taylor Sheridan.

[@gabrielricher8123]

I feel like Taxi Driver would be a good example of a Neo-Western, it's a contemporary twist on the Western Genre. Everything about De Niro's Character-- Travis, screams outlaw and cowboy (his taxi's like a horse, he has questionable ethics, gunslinger of sorts, damsel in distress, one of the final scene's a huge shootout), correct me if I'm wrong but I think the setting of NYC is more Neo-western than a desert.

[@nelsonbassett5719]

NYC shows that the frontier of the old west is replaced by an abstracted frontier that can exist anywhere; the frontier is the margins of society, the frontier is in our cities and in our beings.

[@870Slager]

There's a reason Travis's character wore cowboy boots. I totally agree.

[@akshayneha]

No. This way anything and everything can be a western. Don't twist the definition to accommodate your choices where the word really loses all meaning.

[@ilovecody7514]

That's a bit of stretch...

[@ironmonkey1512]

No. Have you ever lived in the West? It changes you. You can't separate it from a place.

[@venomousnate7263]

I’m currently writing a graphic novel and even though it is a vigilante story, it’s in the realm of neo western. And I have to thank you for showing the films for some inspiration. Love the video.

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

True Masterful Analysis of the Neo-Western. I never thought he was named in this way. Even with Metaphors of the Identity in all decades. Thank you very much. Thanks to you I keep learning by discovering new horizons from the videos you made. Keep going.

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@4Distractiononly]

This is one of my very favorite genres, thanks for covering it

[@matthewc1965]

Veronica Watson he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@janicebaez5134]

I'm in the middle of a film class for college and its ignited a love for westerns in me that I didn't think was possible. Thank you for your insightful analysis of the neo-western! I've learned a lot from this!

[@Screened]

I'm glad it was helpful 👍

[@sneezecat8433]

'look back at them, not with nostalgic eyes but with an understanding that it's time to move on' really well said, great video on one of my favorite sub-genres. Subscribed.

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

Goddamit I love Neo-Western. Especially No country for Old Men. One of the best films in my list.

[@DutchPlanDerLinde]

When the first western was made the wild west still was around xD nice

[@MarhainEntertainment]

I realised this and its crazy ain't it. Talk about art imitating life

[@johndimal4867]

Marhain Entertainment lol it’s pretty normal just how they make movies bout gangs and their still here, or wars that are still being fought. Just like in the video what you thinks is new isnt likely true, it’s just something you haven’t noticed before but has always been there.

[@myboy_]

@@johndimal4867 duh

[@johndimal4867]

Noah Wilson not everyone got it

[@marcowulliampopirers2216]

Well there are movies and series about narcos and cartels today so...

[@prestonrutherford873]

I've literally found myself thinking about this topic a lot over the last few months. Surprised El Camino wasn't mentioned, it's my favorite neo-western since No Country for Old Men. Either way, great video man!

[@Screened]

Glad you liked the video. Yes I had forgotten about El Camino

[@matthewc1965]

Preston Rutherford he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@persieprince9345]

Sorry but el camino not coming even close to sicario hell or high water wind river

[@prestonrutherford873]

@@persieprince9345 Art is subjective my guy🕺

[@persieprince9345]

@@prestonrutherford873 totally agree buddy no offense

[@cdecro00]

Wow. This video was DEEP! Great content for sure.. Maybe the best I’ve ever seen. I had to stop and replay several sections just because it hit so hard and the ideas were so well thought out.

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@rhythmoriented]

Another great video. My favorite neo-western is also one of my favorite neo-noir films: Nocturnal Animals.

[@Screened]

Really like that movie 👍

[@excalibur6159]

Movies like these get made rarely. The perfect synchronicity of high end urban fashion and remote western town coming together to make a beautiful yet haunting masterpiece... All hail Tom Ford...

[@aderemiporsche]

I see neo-western, I think No Country for Old Men, I click.

[@user-wf4wp8im1n]

Brilliant essay. Now i want to watch all movies from the video again. Thank you for this vibe

[@bwoahviously]

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) is also a very good neo-western. Tommy Lee Jones is a great contemporary cowboy actor, also a good director

[@MrGothicruler666]

My dad loved Westerns. I wish he could have seen this

[@JediBunny]

Such an excellent video and breakdown. I absolutely love Screened!

[@Smokedship]

I’ve seen this video a dozen times and still find it mesmerising…

[@jc6226]

Thank you for this excellent video. The editing is great and your critical, thoughtful commentary is very much appreciated. I just watched Sicario: Day of the Soldado for the first time last night. I purchased No Country For Old Men and Hell or High Water on release, and I rewatched them over the last couple weeks for the first time in years. Last night, I began my second round listening to the audiobook series Red Rising by Pierce Brown, novels that rival and sometimes exceed Asimov's Foundation and Herbert's Dune series. In retrospect, no coincidence I have been exploring these difficult ideas recently now that our current circumstances are beginning to sink in for me. The most important message I took from your video for our current times is the scene in No Country For Old Men where we are reminded to avoid vanity and to face up to the stark, awesome nature of the world in which we find ourselves, especially in moments of sudden paradigm transition. Similarly, the message from Logan to his daughter, "Don't be what they made you," should remind us that we dont have to try to relive the past, and in some ways we can and sometimes must forge a different future.

[@oTzRxz]

thank you for taking the time to make these videos, fucking love this channel to bits

[@onedeadsaint]

man, those closing statements... fucking goosebumps! really resonated with me!

[@kulak8548]

I've just found this channel today and I've been binging your videos. Fantastic stuff!

[@Screened]

Much appreciated 👍 Enjoy!

[@shamblepants1450]

I could watch your videos all day. Thought provoking, gorgeous, exceptional. Lovely stuff - thank you!

[@Screened]

Thank you very much that is very kind 👍

[@rumadasjana8472]

I think Logan is one of the best neo Western movies... It wonderfully combines both the superhero genre and the western genre

[@zakariyamohamed9035]

just stumbled on your channel when i was watching (FILM COMICS EXPLAINED ) channel and so far watched 3 videos i have to give it to you your work is world class...

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@chasingvictory659]

The classic and critically acclaimed 1953 Western Shane is playing in the background of Logan at 4:23.

[@joshgastin]

A smart analysis of some great movies and a fascinating trend. Thanks for putting this together!

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@mmmmmmmmmmm954]

Blew my mind when a film prof explained to me that the Matrix is essentially a western (or neo-western) Even in the subway standoff between Neo and Mr. Smith a trash bag rolls by like a tumbleweed would

[@lordbanetheplayer8844]

A Sci-Fi Neo-Western, if you would. Or just a Sci-Fi Western.

[@Ignirium]

The element i like most about westerns is a character standing up for and fighting for what they believe is right, i can feel that in the scene where Neo decides to stop running from Smith and fight what Smith stands for, plus Morpheus explicitly says "He starting to believe" lol

[@nikolasversteeg]

Working on writing a neo-western fiction novel now, and this video was VERY helpful. Thank you very much.

[@daxtanner3555]

Of the four movies discussed, Jon Bernthal’s character dies in two of them. Maybe he’s our new Sean Bean

[@jazzyj4126]

Amazing analysis on the western genre through its change and progression. This will help me on my script.

[@fortuneolose9424]

Lack of Red Dead references.... Strange..

[@matthewc1965]

Fortune Olose he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@coopergoss350]

fr rdr 1 and 2 are such perfect examples of neowesterns.

[@fortuneolose9424]

@@matthewc1965No I didnt... But I'm sorry if they look similar😂😂

[@bombomos]

@@coopergoss350 :/ are they literal westerns??

[@zeltzamer4010]

Did you even watch the video? Neo-westerns are set in a contemporary setting. RDR obviously isn’t set 21st century America.

[@geo4483]

I love this channel so much. Thank you for making videos.

[@EdgyCalaca]

I love this channel, oh my god.

[@matthewc1965]

Ka The Edgy he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@Somebody02594]

its been a while since i've seen you guys uploads. i'm super glad to be back.

[@kingdomheartsfan2709]

What an absolutely awesome video, thank you!

[@ShawHortonMusic]

Gran Torino is also a neo-western, it just trades in the traditional vast western landscapes for an urban setting.

[@FlawedFabrications]

I genuinely think No Country For Old Men is one of the top 5 greatest films ever made.

[@LastBastian]

Seems a popular opinion. Personally, I didn't care for it at all. Despite generally being a fan of the Coen Bros. ...que the "you have bad taste" comments. :)

[@RafitoOoO]

This is the first video of this channel that I ever watched and already subscribed.

[@Screened]

Thanks 👍

[@DreadNawght]

El Camino is one of the most western neo-westerns out there, it couldn't be any better and I'm thankful for that.

[@Fenrisson]

Loved the video! I want to watch them all!

[@jonathanpyle5277]

One of my favorite genres, fantastic video!

[@californiumblog]

Maybe your best essay yet. Well done.

[@Screened]

Thank you very much 👍

[@sgray001]

There have been Westerns in Australia, in Japan, even in space. The essential element of a Western is the vanishing frontier. They are stories set on the edge of society, during a time when the old ways are fading away and the new ways are just arriving. Any story about that transition is a Western. And any contemporary story about that transition is a neo-Western.

[@brunovieirafairas6464]

Such a powerful video man congrats !

[@Screened]

Thanks 👍

[@a.t.3192]

Fantastic video. Keep it up, my dudes!

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@owenbunny4023]

i love the phrase "the end of romance"

[@leenavasankari2585]

So nice. Thank you.

[@stephenkeen5737]

Great video. Thanks

[@marianomosquera1995]

22k views in a day. This channel has grown. Congratulations.

[@luisgarciaa.2122]

Fantastic channel!!

[@Screened]

Thanks 👍

[@ryanartward]

I found the (formerly SyFy) Amazon show The Expanse does fit the Western Genre, as well as some noir. Humans colonized space and something society has glorified to Utopian expectations, then it becomes a wild restless solar system. Earth is essentially the overpopulated dying town that has lost it's sacred glory, Mars is a place that has delayed their green terraformed future for the military industrial complex. Belters, pretty much live in a place as wild west as it gets. Miller is the western protagonist, in a humanity with direction or end to their struggle, yet finds himself trying to do good by a woman he never met and his compatriots.

[@jacobpieters4500]

Love you guys and your videos! Gracias

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@imrecco]

your channel is awesome

[@jaysway9251]

This was a great video!

[@ShinForgotPassxXx]

Superb breakdown.

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@mcknightjacob20]

Such a great video, deserves more views.

[@Screened]

Thanks 👍

[@capulet_belmont]

Excellent video. I love this genre.

[@NomadBikerUK]

Drive with Ryan Gosling is a great example of a Neo-Western

[@snakeobias]

Great video!

[@Screened]

Thanks 👍

[@snakeobias]

@@Screened who was the film theorist you mentioned, and what source did you consult for this analysis? I'm very keen to read some more

[@ArandomNutter]

Great video well done I enjoyed this

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@joey4track]

One of my favorite genres, love stuff like The Rover and Nocturnal Animals, too many times these great films fall in between the cracks

[@XxSatanicSlayerxX]

Love those too. Check out The Proposition and Brimstone. Also one of the best neo western of all time for me is the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

[@joey4track]

@@XxSatanicSlayerxX oh for sure, seen all those except Brimstone I will check it out, thanks!

[@matthewc1965]

joey4track he stole this from KZbin channel The closer look, Logan

[@speezey2612]

At 6:51, when he is talking, it reminds me of the thanos quote: "dread it, run from it, destiny arrives all the same".

[@icyman2]

Great video and channel, I get many movies from your videos on my "to watch" list. :D Also they are inspiring and thought-provoking. Keep up the good work!

[@ernestsacco8552]

excellent video

[@NoOne-qo6nb]

I was surprised they didn't mention No Country For Old Men in this video...

[@WalterLiddy]

Excellent.

[@johnherrera5261]

Hell or high wate ,sicario, and wind river are the perfect Trifecta of neo westerns imo

[@nathanblackmon8672]

Ozark, Arkansas, Out of the Furnace; would those be considered this genre or like Southern Gothic? Neo Western is my favorite genre of film and I’ve never really been able to specify stuff like this when recommending, great video.

[@matthews7805]

Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia is one of my favorites. It predates No Country by decades, and yet it's just as weird and violent and riveting as that film.

[@mackenziedowlearn891]

A beautiful breakdown of an often misunderstood genre 👍👍

[@STEP6192]

Interesting video. Really! 👍

[@craphappens55]

This is you best video!

[@jgil1966]

Man, these videos are good

[@Jessejezzz]

Neo Western is considered as a style, not a genre during the early days... But now, it does Nonetheless it's cool...

[@alflebt5054]

great work. i like DONNYBROOK -BELOW THE BELT

[@lulairenoroub3869]

I struggle with classic westerns. I do a bit better with the dollars films. I love Neo Western. Wolf Creek is one of my favorite films of all time. I think there's just something I like about the idea that civilisation is at constant war with it's own sins. We cover them up and try to conceal them. But the devils born of that sin are pushed out into the desert. And when we wander out there, those devils wander with us.

[@burningmisery]

Brilliant! 🤘

[@ronbollinger8912]

Good list. I also enjoyed Desperado and Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia...........

[@gilbertovalenzuela2319]

I really love seeing this genre have an evolution and adapt to the modern era, western stories have a lot of potential and material to tell, just see that many of the neo western type movies are some of the best done of the last decade

[@dlobelow760]

I never saw Sicario as Neo-Western but thanks to the vid, I now have a newfound love for the film!!!!

[@stevenbrown1225]

Blood Meridian. Could the novel be filmed with out receiving an NC-17 rating? Love to see an essay on that.

[@thelostcosmonaut5555]

I loved Hell Or High Water! Great film!

[@PorcoAka]

gorgeous video

[@Screened]

Thanks 👍

[@Trazynn]

You forgot El Camino.

[@Screened]

True

[@bamb0ostick]

Breaking Bad in general is very Western-influenced.

[@scottmantooth8785]

*this was excelent*

[@LucasSoria18]

Your content is gold. I look forward to your videos. Thanks.

[@owenperkins1999]

If anyone hasn’t seen “Bacurau”, I highly recommend it. It’s got that western story, except it’s not in a modern village in Brazil. It’s got the great Udo Kier in it.

[@gaaab6346]

If you like Neo-westerns, Lonely are the Brave is a must-watch. It’s a 1962 movie by David Miller starring Kirk Douglas and it is set in 1962. It’s about a guy who still lives as a cowboy in a more and more modern world. It’s really ahead of its time.

[@briantran1468]

Great video, but I wanna know what the title of the song playing in the background.