If you're a fan of gritty, uncompromising Westerns, there's a hidden gem waiting for you on Tubi this September. Bone Tomahawk, starring Kurt Russell, is now streaming for free, and it's a movie that has earned high praise from some of the most respected names in horror and entertainment.
Directed by S. Craig Zahler, Bone Tomahawk is a 133-minute Western horror hybrid that follows a sheriff (Russell) leading a small posse into dangerous territory to rescue townspeople kidnapped by a group of cannibalistic cave dwellers. The film also features Matthew Fox, Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins, and David Arquette in key roles.
When the movie first hit theaters in 2015, it didn't exactly set the box office on fire—grossing around $500,000 against a budget of nearly $2 million. But it quickly found a second life on home video and streaming, thanks to strong word-of-mouth and glowing reviews. Today, it holds a Certified Fresh 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its unique blend of genres and its slow-burning tension.
One of its most vocal fans is Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who took to social media to describe the film as "gnarly, brutal stuff." He wasn't alone in his admiration. Horror legend Stephen King also weighed in, writing, "I was expecting nothing but a time-passer on a rainy Wednesday morning, and got a low-budget Western epic. The dialogue alone makes it well worth watching. Beware the last act, when a man is literally torn apart."
For those who appreciate a good Western, Bone Tomahawk is a must-see. It's a slow-burn that builds to a shocking and violent climax, and it's a testament to Zahler's skill as a filmmaker. He's since gone on to direct Brawl in Cell Block 99 and Dragged Across Concrete, both starring Vince Vaughn in dramatic roles, and he's currently working on his fourth feature, The Bookie & the Bruiser.
If you're in the mood for more Westerns, you might also want to check out Michael Keaton and Morgan Freeman's dark Western thriller or why Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone is TV's greatest modern Western. And for a look at other brutal films, here are the most brutal NC-17 films ever made.
So grab some popcorn, settle in, and experience the raw, unflinching power of Bone Tomahawk—now streaming free on Tubi. It's a Western that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
