"GUNS OF REDEMPTION" (2025) Delivers Gripping Characters In A Post-Civil War Western (REVIEW)
Dusty saloons, a blazing hot sun, and a horizon of mountains are just some of the things that come to mind when thinking about a typical Western. From the Italian Spaghetti Western to Clint Eastwood’s elderly shootouts, so many of these movies follow the same pattern trappings that some sub-genres of horror do. The slasher is the easiest mark as it often doesn’t deviate much from the story beats and relies heavily on gore, a strong antagonist, and a likable cast for things to go as planned. Westerns are much the same, they feature often a lone wolf type who wants no trouble but finds it. This often happens in the desert or similar landscape, and the anti-hero protagonist is often morally gray in contrast to the antagonist's overtly immoral actions. This formula can be a good template as well as a recipe for laziness, but when done right the inversion of something as simple as the location can make something old just a little newer. In Shout! Studios’ “Guns of Redemption” we are offered a post-Civil War take on a typical Western tale, but is this film worthy of redemption or just worth forsaking?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A scarred gunslinger tries to leave violence behind, but his past catches up. Near death from an ambush, he straps on his guns for one final mission: to save two captives and avenge a murdered priest before time runs out.
HOW IS IT?
When you think about a “Western,” you’re like to think of a dusty, desert landscape rife with beiges, browns, and deep oranges. Not all Westerns take place in this kind of environment, but they are inextricably linked due to the genre's pervasive use of the setting. “Guns of Redemption” isn’t your average Western, and it doesn’t take place in the typical area you might expect trading the Southwest for the Midwest Ohio Valley. Director and Composer Brian Skiba weaves an engaging and simple story about, you guessed it, redemption, and features standout and diametrically opposed performances from Casper Van Dien and Jeff Fahey. It isn’t reinventing the wagon wheel, but fans of the genre will enjoy the breezy pacing and the gorgeous green vistas of the post-Civil War Midwest.
When Luke (Van Dien) shows up at Parson Dyer’s (Sean Astin) parish he asks no questions and offers only his help in exchange for room and board. When General Bork (Fahey) rolls into town with his stable of kidnapped women who are supposedly repaying debts for crimes committed, are being auctioned off to men in the local town. Luke intervenes on behalf of two of the newest and youngest women, Charlotte (Kaitlyn Kemp) and Anna (Siena Bjornerud) who try to escape which leads to tragedy for which Luke must avenge the sisters and those Bork has wronged. It’s a fairly typical story, but Van Dien turns in a stoic, but layered performance as Luke that goes beyond just a brooding loner. There’s a sadness in his eyes and how he portrays Luke which adds depth to his character’s less original archetype. Counter to Van Dien’s quiet fury is Fahey who is as pitch-perfect as Bork as you can get. He’s loud, but not obnoxious and can go from your friend to your worst enemy with a literal 180-degree turn. Fahey isn’t chewing scenery so much as he has a presence that is undeniable when he’s on screen. Even when he’s waxing somewhat philosophical he captures your attention with his confident delivery and his cutting remarks. As he remarks in the third act, “I do believe there is a God, and he loves me most.”
As mentioned earlier, the typical Southwestern setting is exchanged for something far more seasonally appealing in the Ohio Valley. The lush greenery of the landscape is captivating by itself and lends to some excellent establishing shots and overheads that give us a real sense of wide-open spaces that Westerns are well known for, just in a different kind of ecological environment. Elliott Montello’s cinematography isn’t overly flashy but does make a point to take advantage of the lighter color tones and shades that are almost the antithesis of a typical Western. The score, also done by Skiba is another standout in the film that pays homage to Morricone’s iconic sound while providing an updated arrangement that speaks to modern rock-infused sensibilities. As shared before, this isn’t a reinvention or innovation of the genre so much as it is a prime example of the intimate, character-driven storytelling that Westerns can be. It isn’t overly violent, but it deals with challenging themes while never pandering or veering into parody. Needless to say, “Guns of Redemption” won’t be making new converts as much as pleasing existing fans and we think that’s mission accomplished.
LAST RITES
“Guns of Redemption” features an interesting change of scenery swapping cacti for overgrown trees in this elegantly simple story about one man’s quest to do right by taking out the wrong. Van Dien and Fahey play great opposites, and the score and direction from Skiba make this a treat for fans of the Western genre.
THE GORY DETAILS
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Written By
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Where can you watch it?
“Guns of Redemption”will hit theaters and on-demand on March 7, 2025!
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