Hell or High Water
Hell or High Water

Movie spotlight

Hell or High Water

2016
Movie
102 min
English

A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family's farm in West Texas.

Insights

IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic88
Google Users92%
Director: David MackenzieGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Western

Plot Summary

In West Texas, two brothers, Toby and Tanner, resort to robbing banks to save their family ranch from foreclosure. As their spree escalates, they draw the attention of a retiring Texas Ranger who is determined to bring them to justice. The film explores themes of economic desperation, brotherhood, and the changing American landscape.

Critical Reception

Hell or High Water was widely acclaimed by critics, who praised its sharp screenplay, compelling performances, and its blend of modern Western and crime thriller elements. It was particularly lauded for its timely social commentary on economic hardship and its nuanced portrayal of its characters.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intelligent and timely screenplay, offering sharp social commentary.

  • Lauded for strong performances, particularly from the lead actors.

  • Appreciated for its skillful blend of neo-Western and crime thriller genres.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly enjoyed Hell or High Water, highlighting its gripping story, excellent acting, and thought-provoking themes. Many found it to be a compelling and well-crafted modern Western that resonated with its depiction of relatable struggles.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges), and won numerous other awards including Outstanding Film from the National Board of Review and Best Original Screenplay from the New York Film Critics Circle.

Fun Fact

The distinctive, desolate landscapes of West Texas were crucial to the film's atmosphere, and the filmmakers specifically chose locations that felt authentic to the story's themes of economic decline and rural isolation.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The first ten minutes of this film did not inspire me. Chris Pine ("Toby") and brother "Howard" (Ben Foster) rob some small town banks and attract the attention of the soon to retire, curmudgeonly Jeff Bridges as Texas ranger ("Hamilton"). ...

AstroNoud

AstroNoud

A strong neo-Western that gets everything right, with good pacing, a simple but effective screenplay, great cinematography, sneaky humor and a solid cast. 8/10

Reno

Reno

**Early bird gets the worm.** From the British director of 'Starred Up' fame, it was like another 'The Place Beyond the Pines'. Feels like a modern western kind, because of where this story takes place, I mean Texas. There's no digital w...

Video Reviews

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