For years, Taylor Sheridan has been the mastermind behind Paramount's TV empire, but long before Yellowstone became a cultural phenomenon, he was making waves in Hollywood as a screenwriter for the big screen. His feature debut, Sicario (2015), was a critical triumph, and he followed it with an even more impressive feat: Hell or High Water. Now, a decade after its release, this gritty neo-Western is finally available to stream on HBO Max, and it's the perfect binge for fans of Sheridan's signature storytelling.
If you've never seen Hell or High Water, think of it as a mash-up of Yellowstone and No Country for Old Men. It's set against a dusty West Texas backdrop, where two brothers—Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster)—embark on a series of bank heists to save their family ranch from foreclosure. Hot on their trail is Marcus (Jeff Bridges), a Texas Ranger nearing retirement who's determined to bring them to justice. The film masterfully blends the tension of a crime thriller with the moral complexity of a classic Western, and it's no surprise it earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Directed by David Mackenzie, Hell or High Water was a box office success, grossing $37 million worldwide against a modest $12 million budget. It also holds stellar Rotten Tomatoes scores—97% from critics and 89% from audiences—cementing its status as a modern classic. Mackenzie, who also helmed the recent streaming hit Fuze starring Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, brings a raw, visceral energy to the film that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
For Sheridan fans, this is a must-watch. His knack for crafting complex characters and morally ambiguous situations is on full display, and the film's exploration of economic desperation and family loyalty resonates just as strongly today as it did in 2016. If you're new to his work, this is a perfect entry point—it's a standalone story that doesn't require any prior knowledge of his TV shows, yet it shares the same thematic DNA that made Yellowstone a hit.
As you dive into Hell or High Water, you might also want to explore other Western gems. For instance, Cowboy Bebop's neo-noir Western style offers a different take on the genre, while these quick-read Western novels can satisfy your craving for frontier tales between episodes. And if you're hungry for more Sheridan content, Netflix is adding one of his best crime series later this year.
So, whether you're a longtime Sheridan devotee or just discovering his work, Hell or High Water is a gripping, thought-provoking film that deserves a spot on your watchlist. Head over to HBO Max now and experience the brutal beauty of this neo-Western masterpiece.
