Hell or High Water Is Mandatory Viewing for Yellowstone Fans

by

Taylor Sheridan continues to dominate television even after Yellowstone finished. His Yellowstone universe has become a staple of primetime TV and has sparked a wave of new Western-style shows. But Sheridan’s success wasn’t a surprise – he first proved his talent with a critically acclaimed neo-Western film before Yellowstone even existed.

The 2016 film Hell or High Water, starring Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges, didn’t become popular overnight. Instead, it gradually gained a dedicated following and became known for its sharp criticism of the economic system. The movie blends a longing for the past with the exciting elements typically found in classic Westerns.

Taylor Sheridan Makes Outlaws Likable in Hell or High Water

At first glance, the movie Hell or High Water might not seem connected to the TV show Yellowstone. The Dutton family in Yellowstone has always enjoyed success from their ranch, but the characters in Sheridan’s film are struggling. However, like the Duttons, the Howard brothers in Hell or High Water are fighting to hold onto a lifestyle that’s disappearing.

Despite the Dutton family’s wealth, Yellowstone is fundamentally a story about the challenges facing the traditional ranching lifestyle in a rapidly changing world. John Dutton is constantly fighting to protect his land from developers, sometimes even breaking the law to do so. This struggle extends to characters like Toby and Tanner Howard, who are also exploited by others. This creates a compelling and thrilling outlaw storyline that is common throughout Taylor Sheridan’s work.

Westerns often feature outlaws, and Taylor Sheridan has a knack for making even criminals sympathetic. Characters like the sharp-witted Beth and the determined John Dutton are compelling because of their strength. While Toby and Tanner lack the Duttons’ power, their strong moral compass resonates with the classic Western ideal. The Tanners specifically embody the struggles of those who feel forgotten, adding a timely and relatable layer to the story.

Chris Pine stars as Toby, a man from Texas dealing with the loss of his mother. After her death, Toby discovers the bank took advantage of her with a reverse mortgage, despite valuable oil reserves on her property. Desperate to recover what was lost, Toby teams up with his brother, Tanner, a former convict, to rob the banks responsible and reclaim their mother’s money.

A common theme in Westerns, and one Sheridan handles effectively, is that being an outlaw doesn’t necessarily mean someone is morally weak. Sometimes, breaking the law is the only option when faced with a harsh and unfair world. Both Hell or High Water and Yellowstone deliver plenty of action – whether it’s the Duttons battling white supremacists or the Howards facing off against the police – and both shows perfectly capture what makes the Western genre so compelling. Ultimately, Westerns consistently challenge the established order, often through strong character portrayals.

Hell or High Water and Yellowstone Are Carried By Their Performances

Look, if the ’70s had Clint Eastwood, we’ve got Kevin Costner. After proving his mastery of the Western with films like Dances With Wolves and Open Range, Yellowstone felt like the inevitable next step. Costner is just commanding as John Dutton, the family patriarch. He’s a man who runs his ranch – and his life – by his own rules, and he’s not about to compromise with the modern world. He’ll do absolutely anything to protect his land and his way of life, and that makes for truly compelling television.

Kevin Costner and Jeff Bridges are both highly respected actors. Bridges brilliantly plays the classic lawman character, determined to prevent the Howard brothers from getting what they want. Interestingly, while Marcus Hamilton is presented as the film’s villain, he’s often seen as the hero – a man upholding the law and trying to maintain order. This role demands a strong, impactful performer, and Bridges delivers perfectly.

Jeff Bridges portrays a Texas Ranger determined to bring down the Howard family, even as he nears retirement. The Howards are surprisingly sympathetic characters, and the story wouldn’t work if not for Hamilton’s nuanced performance – he’s as clever as the Howard brothers, but with his own personal struggles. Bridges gives a strong performance alongside Gil Birmingham, known for his work on Yellowstone.

Taylor Sheridan often works with actor Gil Birmingham, and he delivers another strong performance in this latest project. Birmingham plays Ranger Alberto Parker, bringing the same intensity as his work on Yellowstone, and his character is crucial to the story. Sheridan consistently incorporates the viewpoints of Indigenous people into his films, and Alberto’s impactful role is a particularly moving example. Like Yellowstone, this film offers compelling drama but also brings a fresh perspective.

Hell or High Water is the Gritty Realistic Antidote to Yellowstone’s Antics

Taylor Sheridan’s style is evident in all his work, including the film Hell or High Water, even though he didn’t direct it. While Yellowstone is a passion project for him, the 2016 movie offers a different viewing experience. Both projects share Sheridan’s interest in Western themes, but they feel quite different in terms of mood and storytelling. Yellowstone leans toward dramatic, character-driven conflicts, often involving intense events like bombings and kidnappings. Hell or High Water, however, is more compelling due to its focus on character and situation, rather than relying on such big plot twists.

While Yellowstone feels like a dramatic Western, its earlier seasons presented a stark and realistic look at the struggles of modern American families facing financial ruin. The Howard family is on the brink of losing everything, mirroring the difficulties many people experience with rising costs and debt, making it easy to understand their desperation. Faced with limited options, they’re driven to desperate measures, and even then, Toby, in particular, isn’t motivated by greed.

Toby is driven solely by the desire to protect his family’s land and secure his sons’ future. He’s realistic, even expecting to be caught eventually. He prepares his children for the possibility of his arrest, telling them to believe anything the police say about him. Even with newfound wealth and stability, his marriage remains broken. While he’s still somewhat distant from his children, he finds comfort in knowing they’ll be alright, even if he ends up in prison.

This feels like a truer take on Westerns, and honestly, it’s more in line with the spirit of the genre than shows like Yellowstone. With Yellowstone, audiences generally expect the Dutton family to succeed no matter what. Hell or High Water, however, leans into the more somber and realistic side of Westerns, where even victories come with a cost.

Toby realizes his actions will have repercussions, and he might eventually face the law. This enduring relevance is why Hell or High Water remains powerful even years after it was released. The film showcases Sheridan’s exceptional writing and is highly recommended, especially for viewers who enjoy Yellowstone.

Read More

2026-06-01 23:08