Du sang dans la neige

In bright but dark western "The Thicket" Levon Hawke's sis Esme Creed-Miles is taken by notorious crim Juliette Lewis (so good again) & her gang - so Hawke teams with Peter Dinklage (also great), Gbenga Akinnagbe & Leslie Grace to hunt them down across bleak snowy terrain... while they themselves are hunted by James Hetfield (yes, him) & Macon Blair. Characters, dialogue and the relatively simple plot are all well written by first-timer Chris Kelley (based on Jon R Lansdale's novel) and it's superbly directed in his trademark ethereal yet gritty style by the classy Elliott Lester (who's growing a solid reputation). Terrific fare, especially for western genre fans.

The Thicket is a decent film boasts a good cast; stars Peter Dinklage, Leslie Grace, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke and Macon Blair. West Texas. After his sister Lula Parker (Esme Creed-Miles) is kidnapped, a desperate boy Jack Parker (Levon Hawke) recruits by a fierce bounty hunter named Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage) to track down a ruthless and violent killer known only as Cutthroat Bill (Juliette Lewis). So Reginald becomes the leader of the group of outcasts searching for the stolen girl. As he rallies a band of unlikely heroes including a grave-digging ex-slave Eustace Hollow (Gbenga Akinnagbe) and a street-smart woman, Jimmie Sue, (Leslie Grace) for-hire. Together they embark on a perilous quest to track down Cutthroat Bill that leads them into the deadly "no-man's-land" known as... The Thicket. Death comes fast in Texas !.

This is a nice Western with noisy action, thrills, chills , violent attacks , assaults and loads of action. The film deals with the perilous and risked way that the motley expedition carries out their journey to track down to Cutthroat Bill. Exciting, though it is too, the film is not without its thoughtful side. Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones) plays a ruthless bounty hunter in this violent revenge Western set in the early oil era of the early 20th century in Texas, in a place full of oil wells, cold envoronment snowy landscapes and where the first motor vehicles such as motorcycles are already seen. The film is full of murderers, blood and redemption. In the movie many sad and brutal events happen being based on the novel of the same name , a mystery/suspense novel written by American author Joe R. Lansdale , released by Mulholland Books in 2013 , which was adapted by playwright Chris Kelley.: The Thicket, here Dinklage plays an eloquent and resentful bounty hunter who will help a young man to find his sister, kidnapped by a bank robber. Directed by Elliot Lester (Blitz, Aftermath), and co-starring Juleitte Lewis (From Dusk Till Dawn, Cape Fear), the film also has in the cast with Levon Hawke (son of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman), James Hetfield member of the famous hard rock group Metallica, Leslie Grace (Batgirl) and Andrew Schulz (Sneaky Pete).

The motion picture was professionally directed by Elliot Lester , delivering action and tension enough , although a little slow-moving at times. . This filmmaker is a fine craftsman who has directed some acceptable movies. Elliott's feature film ¨Nightingale¨, starring David Oyelowo and produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B, premiered in 2015 on HBO and earned David a "Best Actor" win at the Critic's Choice Awards. The film also received nominations at the Emmys and Golden Globes. His most recent film ¨Aftermath¨, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & Scoot McNairy and produced by Darren Aronofsky. In addition, he is attached to direct the sci-fi thriller ¨Continuum¨ for Entertainment Studios with Josephson Entertainment producing. Lester has directed other important films such as: ¨Blitz¨ , ¨Sleepwalker¨,¨Love is the drug¨. In TV, Elliott recently sold ¨Say their names¨ to HBO, which he will direct. Elliott has previously directed multiple episodes of TV, including ¨Will¨ and ¨Containment¨ . Elliott is also an established music video director having worked with Avril Lavigne, Selena Gomez, and The Fray, among others. The Thicket(2024) rating: 6.5/10. Essential and fundamental seeing for Western enthusiasts .

Even though the film features moments of brutal and sadistic violence there is something very charming and fascinating about the film.

Firstly, there is Peter Dinklage's character. Hard boiled mysterious stoic warrior.

Secondly, Juliette Lewis, as outlaw Cutthroat Bill. Lewis can play deranged well, but here she is at another level. Very complex mysterious wreck of a psycho.

Thirdly, there is a young cowboy that reminds me of Keith Carradine's character in "McCabe and Mrs. Miller." Tragically enthusiastic and naïve.

Fourthly, the general production. The sombre tone, winter landscape and striking cinematography.

Fifth, it's always nice to see a little standout character and set piece, somewhat related to the main plot. There was that too with the pimp in a brief bordello scene.

Sixth, the final understated denouement.

Interesting gritty sadness inducing viewing.

Set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Wild West, The Thicket tells the story of a mismatched group of individuals: Reginald Jones, a bounty hunter portrayed by Peter Dinklage; his loyal sidekick Eustace, played by Gbenga Akinnagbe; Jack, who enlists their help to rescue his kidnapped sister (Levon Hawke); Lula, the sister in peril (Esme Creed-Miles); and the menacing outlaw Cut Throat Bill, brought to life by Juliette Lewis.

This film evokes memories of Sergio Corbucci's spaghetti Westerns, yet it opts for a more subdued palette, emphasizing the darker aspects of its narrative and employing somber cinematographic techniques. It is only towards the conclusion that the visuals begin to brighten.

The storyline is populated with nefarious characters and unstable individuals, all too willing to inflict harm on anyone displaying courage or a strong moral compass. Consequently, the innocent siblings endure their share of hardships before they learn to adapt and survive in this brutal, unforgiving environment. Their plight is compounded by the tragic loss of their parents to smallpox and the murder of their grandfather (Guy Sprung) by Bill, which sets off this harrowing journey.

In summary, this film is likely to captivate those in search of a chilling, action-packed thriller that embraces its brutality and mercilessness with a haunting, macabre flair. Enjoy!

I'm a big fan of Westerns and The Thicket was a pleasant surprise in a day and age where Western films are so rare. Like most Westerns, the plot is simple; a bounty hunter is tasked with tracking down the kidnapped sister of his client.

Juliette Lewis is brilliant as the villain, barely recognizable, she gives a heck of a performance here as a layered villain with some decency left in her. She lives as a man, with a male name and if it weren't for the cast listing I'd never think she was a woman.

Peter Dinklage plays the bounty hunter and he's as brilliant as always. He brings 100% to the table in everything he does. During the quest to find the kidnapped girl, lots of things transpire, friendships are formed and survival tactics are put to use. I need to mention the set design here because it's A-level stuff. Beautiful sets, props, cinematography, and costume design.

I need to mention James Hetfield, a pleasant surprise seeing his cameo role in this film. Andrew Shultz, a famous NY comedian also has a cameo role in this film which was so surprising to see. Lots of themes are scattered throughout the film's plot, including the fine line between religion and literature.

The Thicket is available for free streaming on TUBI. Western fans will not be disappointed with this one unless you prefer non-modern Westerns, because this film takes place in the mid 1980s. The movie was shot on location in Calgary Alberta Canada, in the bitter cold, and the billowing cold breaths from the actors really added to the atmosphere.