While Taylor Sheridan now rules the TV landscape with epics like Yellowstone, his path to small-screen dominance was paved on the big screen. Before creating his empire of modern cowboys, Sheridan penned a powerful trio of films known as the American Frontier trilogy. These movies—Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River—redefined the neo-Western for a new generation, exploring the brutal realities and moral complexities of contemporary America. But when stacked against each other, which of these modern classics truly stands tallest?
#3: Wind River (2017)
Sheridan's directorial debut is arguably his most harrowing work. Set on a snow-swept Native American reservation in Wyoming, Wind River follows wildlife tracker Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) and rookie FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) as they investigate the murder of a young woman. The film unflinchingly examines the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women, weaving a tale of grief, justice, and survival against a stark, unforgiving landscape.
While Renner delivers a career-best performance and Sheridan proves a capable director, the film's unrelenting bleakness and slightly less polished narrative structure place it third in this formidable lineup. It's a vital, gut-wrenching story, but lacks the razor-sharp precision of its predecessors. For more on Renner's work with Sheridan, check out his role in the gritty Paramount+ thriller.
#2: Sicario (2015)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Sicario plunges viewers into the shadowy war along the U.S.-Mexico border. FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is recruited by a mysterious government operative (Josh Brolin) and his enigmatic associate (Benicio del Toro) for a task force with murky objectives. The film is a masterclass in tension, exploring the moral decay and institutional corruption inherent in America's drug war.
With its breathtaking cinematography and powerhouse performances, Sicario is a near-perfect thriller. It kickstarted Sheridan's thematic exploration of lawless frontiers, though its vision feels more distinctly Villeneuve's than purely Sheridan's. It remains one of the most gripping films of the last decade. Fans should note that 'Sicario' is leaving Netflix soon, so catch it while you can.
#1: Hell or High Water (2016)
Topping our list is David Mackenzie's Hell or High Water, the most quintessentially Sheridan story of the trilogy. This modern-day heist Western follows two brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) robbing banks in West Texas to save their family ranch, while two aging Texas Rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham) hunt them down. It's a poignant tale of economic desperation, brotherhood, and the fading American dream.
The film balances pulse-pounding action with deep character study, all set against a sunbaked landscape that feels like a character itself. Sheridan's script crackles with authenticity and moral ambiguity, delivering a story that is both thrilling and profoundly human. It stands as the perfect culmination of his frontier themes—a flawless film that earns its place as the trilogy's crown jewel. For viewers who love this blend of crime and character, our list of forgotten American thrillers offers more recommendations.
Together, these three films form a remarkable triptych that cemented Taylor Sheridan as a premier storyteller of the American condition. While each is a masterpiece in its own right, Hell or High Water achieves a rare harmony of story, character, and theme that makes it not just the best of the trilogy, but one of the great American films of the 21st century. The trilogy's influence continues to be felt, proving that the Western genre, when reinvented with such sharp insight, remains powerfully relevant. Explore how other films have reshaped the genre in our feature on films that redefined the modern Western.
