Jack (Levon Hawke) and his younger sister, Lula (Esme Creed-Miles), have just lost their parents to a terrible illness. The impact of the disease has affected them greatly, and their home is soon burned down to prevent the spread of the sickness that took their parents. Although they have a new caregiver moving forward, this new life is sadly short-lived. When Jack and Lula are travelling, they encounter a notorious criminal known as Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis) and her gang. For reasons unknown, Cut Throat Bill decides to take matters into her own hands and kidnaps Lula, leaving Jack wounded and left for dead.
When Jack regains consciousness, he is filled with determination to rescue his sister and harbours a deep-seated desire for revenge. However, Cut Throat Bill is a dangerous villain who leads a formidable gang, making it clear that Jack cannot face her alone. While passing through a nearby town, Jack approaches a local bounty hunter named Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage) and his assistant Eustace (Gbenga Akinnagbe). Jack possesses strong intel about Cut Throat Bill’s whereabouts and is aware of the substantial bounty offered for her capture. The prospect of splitting a large reward proves appealing to Reginald and Eustace, so they eventually agree to help Jack, provided he follows their lead and listens to Reginald’s orders.
As the trio makes their way toward The Thicket, they soon realise that Cut Throat Bill may not be their only worry. A previous allegation against Reginald has now caught the attention of the newly appointed Sheriff, who is hot on his trail. Will Jack be able to rescue his sister in time? With the support of Reginald and Eustace, can he put an end to Cut Throat Bill’s reign of terror once and for all?
The Thicket is a western drama film directed by Elliott Lester, who has previously worked on projects like Blitz (2011) and Aftermath (2017). Personally, even though I typically don’t gravitate toward westerns, I found The Thicket to be quite surprising and engaging. The film’s visuals are outstanding. The set pieces and locations genuinely impressed me, contributing to a cold, gritty, and lifeless atmosphere in many scenes. Additionally, the costuming for all on-screen characters looks fantastic. The makeup work, particularly the transformation of Cut Throat Bill’s appearance, along with the depiction of disfigurements and Reginald’s large beard, deserves high praise from me.
It should come as no surprise that actor Peter Dinklage commands the screen as the leading bounty hunter. Juliette Lewis delivers a solid performance as the uncaring, selfish, ruthless, and ugly villain, Cut Throat Bill. However, her motives for her actions are not always explained, which I found somewhat disappointing. The film also introduces several side characters, and at times, the subplots can feel excessive or unnecessary. One subplot involves Jack rescuing a prostitute named Jimmie Sue, played by Leslie Grace. Such subplots were very loosely connected to the core story, especially considering that Jack is urgently trying to save his sister.
Overall, The Thicket is an engaging western drama that stands out as an exciting revenge story. The film has a gritty tone, and the various kills and shootouts feel authentic. Additionally, the set pieces and locations are captivating. While it’s an enjoyable ride, there are some unnecessary subplots and critical details about the film’s villain that are never fully explained or revealed, which seems like a missed opportunity for character development. That said, it should come as no surprise that Peter Dinklage commands the screen with a performance that differs from his past work, making it refreshing to see. Juliette Lewis also delivers as a ruthless and uncaring villain, proving to be a solid match for Dinklage. Western fans should not overlook this one!
The Thicket (2024) is Now Avaialble on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella.
Published: 14th June 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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