Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- reflective
- atmospheric
- western double feature
- quiet evening
What critics said
Critics generally found the film visually beautiful and well acted, especially praising Sam Shepard's charismatic performance while noting an occasionally loose and cliché-prone narrative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
James Blackthorn is revealed as the presumed-dead Butch Cassidy living decades beyond the historical legend.
The aged Cassidy has adopted the name James Blackthorn and tries to reconcile a secluded life with his former outlaw self.
The journey moves through Bolivia's striking hills, desert sands, and salt flats.
Cassidy's return to outlaw action is framed against his old age, exile, and the afterlife of the Old West.
Films like Blackthorn, and why
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
revisionist western atmosphere, aging outlaw protagonist, and reflective confrontation with a legendary past
The Shootist
late-career western melancholy, morally ambiguous drifters, and expansive frontier landscapes
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
stylized western adventure, outlaw mythology, and charismatic antihero performance
Unforgiven
revisionist western themes of aging, violence, betrayal, and the fading frontier
Movie Details
- Director
- Mateo Gil
- Release Date
- 2011-07-01
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (297)
Cast
- Sam Shepard
- Eduardo Noriega
- Stephen Rea
- Magaly Solier
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Pádraic Delaney
- Dominique McElligott
- Luis Bredow
- Cristian Mercado
- Daniel Aguirre
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Blackthorn about?
- An aging outlaw living under an assumed name is pulled back into danger across Bolivia's unforgiving frontier.
- What is Blackthorn like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blackthorn as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Blackthorn violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Blackthorn as moderate.
- What did critics think of Blackthorn?
- Critics generally found the film visually beautiful and well acted, especially praising Sam Shepard's charismatic performance while noting an occasionally loose and cliché-prone narrative.
- Which films are like Blackthorn?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ballad of Cable Hogue, The Shootist, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Unforgiven.
- How long is Blackthorn?
- Blackthorn runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Blackthorn?
- In United States, Blackthorn streams on Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel.
