Old Henry is an action-Western that feels like it could fit in perfectly with the old-school Westerns of the Classic Hollywood era.

A widowed farmer, Henry (Tim Blake Nelson) and his son, Wyatt (Gavin Lewis),  allow a mysterious injured man, Curry (Scott Haze) to stay at their residence. Sure, it’s a bad idea in the Old West and they definitely don’t trust him. I mean, the guy is carrying a satchel of cash! Did he steal it? Is someone chasing after him? Will they be threatened just by merely bringing him into their home? Of course, we know what’s going to happen next! A trio of men, claiming to be the law, come after them and want the money. If you’re the farmer, who do you trust and what is the next decision that you make? Listen, I’d love to tell you what happens next but I’d rather not spoil the film.

Writer-director Potsy Ponciroli gives us the perfect situation. You could certainly write something and set it in today’s era. However, the ability to use a smartphone would just take away the impact that one gets from a film in the Old West. Let’s separate the gunfights from the genre for a moment and this is also a film about a father and son. There are also themes of redemption and forgiveness at hand. You certainly can’t go wrong with casting Tim Blake Nelson in the lead either.

When it comes to good vs. evil or heroes vs. villains, the Western is the perfect genre. A film like Star Wars owes its roots to the genre (well, that and so much more but you get the idea). They also don’t make as many Westerns as they used to. Honestly, it also feels like we’re getting them in fewer numbers each year. And yet, it’s a genre that is still beloved today as is evident by Old Henry becoming a sleeper hit on VOD.

One beautiful aspect about Old Henry is that filmmaker Potsy Ponciroli also takes advantage of secluded locations. In this instance, it’s in Watertown, Tenn. I mean, just look at it! The structure and surrounding scenery is just made for filmmaking! Maybe we’ll see more Westerns film in the area over the years to come.

Bonus Features

• A Behind-The-Scenes Look At Old Henry With The Cast And Filmmakers

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Potsy Ponciroli
CAST: Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Haze, Gavin Lewis, Richard Speight Jr., Max Arciniega, Brad Carter, with Trace Adkins and Stephen Dorff

Shout Studios released Old Henry in theaters on October 1, 2021.

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