When you think of the Wild West, aliens probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. But in 2011, director Jon Favreau decided to mash up two unlikely genres, throwing James Bond and Indiana Jones into a dusty frontier town and adding a dash of extraterrestrial chaos. The result was Cowboys & Aliens, a film that critics initially dismissed but has since found a devoted following. Now, the movie is getting a fresh lease on life as it officially lands on Netflix in the United States this October.
Set in 1875 New Mexico, the story follows a mysterious stranger (Daniel Craig) who stumbles into the town of Absolution with no memory of his past. The only clue is a strange metal shackle on his wrist. The town is ruled by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford), and its residents are wary of outsiders. But when alien ships descend from the sky, abducting townsfolk one by one, the stranger and the colonel must join forces to fight a common enemy.
The cast is a who's who of Hollywood talent, including Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Keith Carradine, and Clancy Brown. Craig brings his signature intensity to the role of Jake Lonergan, while Ford delivers a gruff, no-nonsense performance as the colonel. The film's blend of Western tropes and sci-fi spectacle was ambitious, but it didn't quite hit the mark with critics. It currently holds a 44% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising the performances but criticizing the tonal clash between its two genres.
Financially, Cowboys & Aliens was a disappointment, grossing around $163 million worldwide against a reported budget of over $100 million. But despite its initial reception, the film has gained a cult following over the years, and its arrival on Netflix offers a new audience the chance to judge it for themselves. If you're in the mood for a quirky, star-studded adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously, this might be the perfect watch for a lazy afternoon.
For fans of Craig's post-Bond career, this is a fun detour into genre territory. And if you're a fan of Netflix shows that improve with age, you might find that Cowboys & Aliens is better than its reputation suggests. The film also shares a certain charm with other October streaming additions like Christopher Nolan's The Prestige, which is also hitting the platform this month.
So, saddle up and prepare for a ride that's equal parts John Wayne and Independence Day. Cowboys & Aliens is now streaming on Netflix, and it's a wild, entertaining experiment that's worth a second look.
