Introduction: Revisiting a Harsh, Icy West
The Thicket (2024), directed by Elliott Lester, is an adaptation of Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name. It offers a gritty, somber view of the Wild West, with Peter Dinklage in the lead role as a bounty hunter navigating an unforgiving world. While Westerns often focus on traditional masculinity, this film stands out for its exploration of unique characters—a dwarf, a hardened female outlaw, and a young, naive Christian searching for his sister. Though it can be brutal and bleak, the film’s raw performances and grim aesthetics give it a distinctive place in modern Western cinema.
Plot Overview: A Quest for Family Amid Chaos
At the heart of The Thicket lies a simple, yet grim story of a brother’s determination to save his kidnapped sister. The film follows Jack (Levon Hawke), a religious young man whose sister Lula (Esme Creed-Miles) is taken by the ruthless outlaw, Cutthroat Bill (Juliette Lewis). Desperate, Jack enlists the help of Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage), a no-nonsense bounty hunter, and his partner, Eustace (Gbenga Akinnagbe), to rescue her.
As they travel through West Texas, Jack learns that not everything in the world is black and white. Each character they meet, from the unsavory bounty hunters to the criminals, is marked by moral ambiguity. This exploration of ethical dilemmas is a recurring theme throughout the film.
While the premise might seem familiar—a quest to save a kidnapped loved one—the film’s character dynamics and setting add a layer of depth. The focus shifts from simple heroism to the dark and often cruel nature of survival in the Wild West.
Character Analysis: Complex and Unconventional Heroes
Peter Dinklage as Reginald Jones
Dinklage’s portrayal of Reginald Jones stands out. Far from the typical Western hero, Jones is a man hardened by years of mistreatment due to his appearance. He is a bounty hunter not driven by nobility but by survival and profit. His skills as a gunfighter are as sharp as his wit, and his moral compass is flexible, allowing him to navigate a lawless world.
Juliette Lewis as Cutthroat Bill
Juliette Lewis delivers a chilling performance as Cutthroat Bill. Her character deviates from the traditional Western villain, not just because she’s a woman in a genre known for male antagonists but because of her sheer brutality. Lewis embodies the character with a gravelly voice and scarred exterior, reminiscent of a spaghetti Western villain with a tragic backstory. She mirrors Reginald in many ways—both are outcasts shaped by the harshness of the world.
Levon Hawke as Jack
Levon Hawke plays Jack, the naive Christian teen determined to rescue his sister. His character development is central to the narrative as he transforms from an innocent, sheltered boy to someone who must confront the darkness of the world to achieve his goal. Hawke’s performance is understated but effective, providing a balance to the more cynical characters.
Supporting Cast
Gbenga Akinnagbe shines as Eustace, Reginald’s muscular, morally grounded partner. While his role doesn’t get as much screen time, Akinnagbe adds a layer of compassion to the otherwise ruthless duo. Leslie Grace as Jimmie Sue, a prostitute Jack attempts to save, feels somewhat underutilized, and her subplot detracts from the main story.
Visuals and Cinematography: Harsh, Bleak Landscapes
The Thicket excels in creating a visually stark and gritty Western. The cinematography by Guillermo Garza emphasizes the cold, unforgiving wilderness, often enveloped in snow and gray skies. The bleak visuals reflect the harshness of the world the characters inhabit, where survival comes at a high price. The film borrows heavily from spaghetti Westerns, particularly in its use of long, tense standoffs and wide shots of desolate landscapes.
The setting itself is a character, with its icy, lawless environment mirroring the emotional coldness of the characters. The use of shadow and light heightens the sense of danger and uncertainty, a crucial element in building tension throughout the film.
Themes and Messages: Survival, Morality, and Found Families
One of the strongest themes in The Thicket is survival in an unforgiving world. Every character, from Reginald to Cutthroat Bill, is driven by a need to endure. Whether it’s Jack’s quest to save his sister or Reginald’s relentless pursuit of the bounty, survival is the central motivating force.
Another theme explored is moral ambiguity. While Jack starts with a clear sense of right and wrong, his journey forces him to reevaluate his beliefs. Reginald and Eustace, though bounty hunters, are not evil, just pragmatic. Even Cutthroat Bill, the film’s antagonist, is more a product of the world’s cruelty than inherently malicious.
The film also delves into the idea of “found families.” Reginald, Eustace, Jack, and Lula form a makeshift group, bonded not by blood but by circumstance. This sense of belonging contrasts sharply with the lawless band of criminals led by Cutthroat Bill.
Comparisons to Similar Westerns
The Thicket draws comparisons to other Westerns that explore the grittier side of the genre. Films like True Grit and The Searchers come to mind for their stories of rescuing kidnapped women, but The Thicket leans more into the bleakness of spaghetti Westerns like Sergio Corbucci’s The Great Silence.
Where The Thicket stands apart is in its unconventional heroes. Dinklage’s portrayal of a dwarf gunslinger and Lewis’s role as a female outlaw break the typical Western archetypes, providing a fresh take on the genre.
Direction and Execution: Strong but Flawed
Director Elliott Lester handles the film’s darker themes with a steady hand, emphasizing the grim nature of the world. However, The Thicket is not without its flaws. At 108 minutes, the film sometimes feels too long due to unnecessary subplots, such as Jimmie Sue’s storyline. These distractions detract from the main narrative, slowing down the film’s pace.
The film’s strength lies in its character-driven moments, particularly the tense interactions between Dinklage’s Reginald and Lewis’s Cutthroat Bill. However, the movie struggles with fully fleshing out some of its characters and story arcs, leaving viewers wanting more depth.
Final Verdict: Is The Thicket Worth Watching?
The Thicket is a unique Western that offers an unconventional take on familiar themes. Peter Dinklage and Juliette Lewis deliver standout performances, and the film’s harsh, bleak visuals create an immersive atmosphere. While it may not reach the heights of classic Westerns like Unforgiven, it’s an above-average modern Western worth watching, especially for fans of gritty, character-driven stories.
If you’re a fan of unconventional Westerns that delve into moral ambiguity and survival, The Thicket is a must-watch. Stream it on Tubi and discover a world where the line between good and evil is never clear. For more top-rated films, check out our recommendations here.
