American Primeval

I loved American Primeval even more than I thought I would. It's a brutal and gritty take on how the American West was started. First of all I love this genre, second I love Peter Berg (Lone Survivor, Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom, Patriots Day, Hancock, etc) and lastly it has an amazing cast starring Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Jai Courtney, Dane DeHaan, Shea Whigham, etc. On top of all that it was also beautifully shot, the cinematography was amazing. This is a hard watch but a great one. My brother and I binged all 6 episodes in one day, that's how good this show was. If you're a fan of Westerns (and even if you're not) the give this series a chance...you won't be disappointed.

American Primeval is one of the better shows I've seen in the last year and I've seen some terrific shows so that's saying something. This miniseries shows how shockingly cruel and violent the West really was. I have to warn you that there are some really violent and gory scenes so if that bothers you then this show might not be for you. It has several different plots to follow but all of them are captivating. It doesn't shy away from how ugly and savage people were for their desire to get land. I know the year just started but this is still going to end up being on most peoples best of the year list. I was entertained from the very first episode to the last and can't recommend this show enough.

I did not know what to expect with this, but right from the outset the tone was set. Brutal, unforgiving, hard, and believable. This is based on a little known and hardly talked about piece of American history. It's not pretty. But it has you hooked from the beginning. I rarely give a rating this high but the production values, writing, acting, and direction were first class. There are not many people to feel sorry for in this tale, but when you find them, they are worthy of your emotions. You won't look atbMormons the same way again. A sort of ending that has a mixture of predictability, pathos, and unpredictability. Great battle scenes have you ducking, and grateful you are not there.

At a time when streaming platforms are inundated with content that often feels formulaic, it's rare to encounter a series that grips you with such immediacy and authenticity. This miniseries, which I stumbled upon purely by chance on its premiere day, turned out to be a remarkable discovery-an unassuming masterpiece that exceeded my expectations in every way.

What sets this series apart is its unflinchingly unsentimental approach to storytelling. By eschewing overly contrived emotional cues, it allows moments of genuine emotional depth to emerge organically, packing an understated yet profound impact. It's a raw, fast-paced, and intense experience that remains grounded and purposeful, never slipping into excess or artifice.

Visually, the series is a triumph. The meticulous attention to detail-whether in the period-accurate costumes, evocative set designs, or the dynamic and immersive camerawork-creates an unparalleled sense of presence. You're not merely observing events unfold from a distance; you're drawn into the action, experiencing the urgency and stakes alongside the characters.

While I often find action-heavy narratives reliant on spectacle at the expense of substance, this series defies that trend. Here, the brisk pacing and raw, visceral moments of violence serve as an extension of the story's thematic core, amplifying its authenticity rather than detracting from it.

From the first episode, the series establishes a gripping rhythm that's impossible to resist.

If this miniseries isn't recognized during awards season, it would be nothing short of an oversight. The precision of its costume design, the evocative score, the sharp direction, and the captivating performance by its lead actress deserve every accolade.

In many ways, this is more than just one of the best Netflix offerings in recent memory; it's a reminder of what storytelling can achieve when ambition meets artistry. For an industry that often prioritizes marketability over originality THIS is why I still am a subscriber.

To be honest, I don't expect much from original Netflix shows anymore. Netflix was never of HBO or Hulu level for that matter and even Prime is slowly gaining ground on the quality of its' shows. American Primeval comes at a time when Netflix really needs a proper show.

15 years ago, 22-episode seasons were the norm, when we had to wait for a whole calendar year or more to see what happens next. Then, Netflix dropped all episodes at once, which is fine for binge watching but you end quite quickly with nothing to watch, plus it's tiring to watch many many episodes in a few sittings.

And then the limited series trend is back, where we practically talk about an extend film. And this is what American Primeval is. An extended film, which has the perfect pace to develop the characters enough for the spectator to care while not dragging the plot.

With me not being a US citizen, it was a great opportunity to read into this part of American History, about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a story which I handnt come across in other featured films or TV shows. It also gave me the incentive to look into the Mormon religion as I was only aware of its existence. While this series is not entirely historical accurate concerning the flow of events, it seems that it does depict the general frame of the events that unfolded and the basic parties involved.

It is as violent as it should be to bring the audience the actual conditions and battles people of these times had to face.

Acting by most if not all actors is top notch but I have to say I found Betty Gilpins' character (Sara Rowell) a bit exaggerated. Taylor Kitch delivers but Shea Whigham as Jim Bridger and Kim Coates as Brigham Young are extraordinary.

Principal photography is beautiful, all scenes and direction by Peter Berg is outstanding.

If you want an interesting Limited Series to binge watch over a weekend (or a... Day!) and don't mind the brutal depiction of the Old American West, this is a perfect choice!