John Smith is a mysterious stranger who is drawn into a vicious war between two Prohibition-era gangs. In a dangerous game, he switches allegiances from one to another, offering his services to the highest bidder. As the death toll mounts, Smith takes the law into his own hands in a deadly race to stay alive.
A mysterious, gun-toting drifter known only as "Kelly" arrives in a dusty border town caught in a violent turf war between two rival gangs. Posing as a mercenary for hire, he manipulates both sides, playing them against each other to uncover the truth behind a woman's disappearance and settle old scores. His actions ignite a brutal and explosive conflict that threatens to consume the entire town.
Walter Hill's neo-Western action thriller received a mixed to negative reception from critics, who often found it to be a stylish but hollow rehash of earlier films, particularly Kurosawa's Yojimbo and its remake A Fistful of Dollars. While some praised its atmospheric visuals and Willis's stoic performance, many criticized its convoluted plot and lack of emotional depth. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with the film failing to make a significant impact at the box office.
Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a competent, albeit unoriginal, action flick. Many appreciated the gritty atmosphere and Bruce Willis's tough-guy persona, with some enjoying the violent confrontations. However, a significant number of viewers felt the story was predictable and lacked the depth of classic Westerns it emulated.
None notable.
The film is a direct remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1961 samurai film Yojimbo, which itself inspired Sergio Leone's 1964 spaghetti Western A Fistful of Dollars.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
