Overview
Two brothers embark on a desperate journey to save their family's ranch, but the law is hot on their trail.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- sardonic
- melancholic
- weekend crime marathon
- western double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a beautifully made, sharply written, well-acted contemporary western heist thriller with strong characters and confident pacing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film uses drought-stricken Texas towns, failing businesses, oil decline, and bank foreclosure to revitalize the western genre in a modern setting.
Toby and Tanner rob Texas Midlands Bank branches to save the family ranch and secure an inheritance for Toby's sons.
The brothers' bank robberies are intercut with Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton and Alberto Parker anticipating and tracking their next moves.
Wide Texas landscapes and worn-out commercial spaces frame the characters' economic and emotional exhaustion.
Films like Hell or High Water, and why
No Country for Old Men
modern western atmosphere, morally complicated crime, economic desperation, and restrained character-driven violence
The Place Beyond the Pines
contemporary western setting, brotherly criminal partnership, dry humor, and elegiac lawman-versus-outlaw tension
The Town
bank robbery structure, regional authenticity, family stakes, and sharply drawn outlaw characters
True Grit
revisionist western tone, memorable lawman performance, and themes of aging, justice, and male loyalty
Movie Details
- Director
- David Mackenzie
- Release Date
- 2016-08-11
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (5017)
Cast
- Jeff Bridges
- Chris Pine
- Ben Foster
- Gil Birmingham
- Marin Ireland
- Kevin Rankin
- Dale Dickey
- William Sterchi
- Kristin K. Berg
- Katy Mixon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hell or High Water about?
- Two estranged Texas brothers rob the bank threatening their family ranch while a near-retirement ranger closes in across a wounded modern frontier.
- What is Hell or High Water like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hell or High Water as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Hell or High Water violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Hell or High Water as moderate.
- What did critics think of Hell or High Water?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a beautifully made, sharply written, well-acted contemporary western heist thriller with strong characters and confident pacing.
- Which films are like Hell or High Water?
- Films with a similar feel include No Country for Old Men, The Place Beyond the Pines, The Town, and True Grit.
- How long is Hell or High Water?
- Hell or High Water runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hell or High Water?
- In United States, Hell or High Water streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
