The new crime thriller Americana, starring Sydney Sweeney, is quickly becoming popular on Prime Video. Critics are calling it both realistic and excellent. The film, released Friday, centers around Mandy Starr (Halsey) who flees after defending herself against her abusive boyfriend, Dillon MacIntosh (Eric Dane), and makes off with $1,000,000 and a valuable Lakota ghost shirt.
Her path crosses with Lefty Ledbetter (Paul Walter Hauser), a heartbroken veteran who recently overheard a conversation. He learned that Dillon and his friend, Dave, had been hired by Roy Lee Dean, a dealer in historical artifacts, to steal a priceless shirt.
I just love how Melissa Sweeney plays Penny Jo Poplin! She’s this waitress with huge dreams of becoming a country music star, and it’s so fun watching her become friends with the character Lefty. It’s a really sweet story!

The film Americana first debuted at the 2023 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival before being released in theaters, and it received favorable feedback from both critics and audiences.
Rotten Tomatoes gives Americana a 62% rating, with critics agreeing that while the film has a raw appeal, strong acting, and touches on interesting themes, it doesn’t quite reach its full potential due to a wandering story and uneven filmmaking.
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The Chicago Reader described Americana as a fun and engaging modern western that offers both thoughtful commentary and the excitement youâd expect from the genre, though it probably wonât be a lasting classic.
According to Variety, Tony Tost, a writer and director who previously worked as a TV showrunner (Damnation) and a poet, is a new talent to watch. His debut film, Americana, is surprisingly well-made â it feels more like the work of an experienced filmmaker than a first-time director.
According to IndieWire, Tostâs film is a delightful and realistic movie thatâs both funny and heartwarming, featuring strong acting and a generally enjoyable experience.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tostâs charactersâwhether motivated by intense greed or genuine needâeffectively represent the voices of people often overlooked, as they fight for control of their lives and deserve respect. The publication praised this as a valuable trait in storytelling.
IMDb users praised the film as “terrific” and “quirky,” with many calling it a uniquely memorable take on American culture.
Americana is streaming now on Prime Video.
The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautifully illustrated 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.
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2026-04-21 00:52