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New Western Film “Murder at Yellowstone City” Coming to Netflix
Netflix continues to explore the Western genre with its latest addition, Murder at Yellowstone City, which is set to launch soon on the platform. This follows the streaming success of American Primeval and the recently acclaimed Ransom Canyon. Although Murder at Yellowstone City was released at film festivals and limited theaters in 2022, its streaming debut promises to elevate its profile and introduce it to a broader audience. The film stands out with a unique blend of traditional Western elements and a captivating mystery akin to an Agatha Christie novel, featuring a stellar cast that includes Thomas Jane, Isaiah Mustafa, Gabriel Byrne, Nat Wolff, Anna Camp, and Richard Dreyfuss.
In the film, Mustafa portrays Cicero, a former slave and a well-read enthusiast of Shakespeare, who seeks a tranquil life in Yellowstone City—a once-thriving gold rush town now reduced to a shadow of its former self. Upon his arrival, Cicero encounters a diverse array of townsfolk, including a secretive saloon owner in a same-sex relationship, a fiercely protective woman from the Mexican wars, and a Lakota Sioux woman navigating her dual identity.
Complications arise when a broke prospector discovers a significant gold vein on the very day of Cicero’s arrival, only to be murdered shortly thereafter. Gabriel Byrne plays the Sheriff, a ruthless figure who sees justice as a means to protect his town, and he quickly targets Cicero as the prime suspect. This unfounded suspicion against Cicero, fueled by racial bias, forces him to grapple with the challenge of proving his innocence as he maintains his calm demeanor while searching for the real killer.
Thomas Jane Reviews “Murder at Yellowstone City” and the Western Genre
The plot thickens as Cicero finds an ally in the town’s new pastor, Thaddeus, a reformed outlaw portrayed by Thomas Jane. In a conversation with Matt Mahler from MovieWeb in 2022, Jane offered insightful commentary on the film and the Western genre as a whole. He elaborated on the classic Western’s thematic exploration of individual freedom versus societal norms. Jane discussed the core conflict inherent in Westerns, which revolves around determining which societal rules are worth upholding and what happens when the balance tips toward corruption.
“A classic Western is all about the freedom of the individual contrasted with the constraints and moral codes of community life,” Jane explained. “The narrative often revolves around the choices between maintaining order and seeking personal liberty.” He added that failing to address corruption could lead to the disintegration of society itself.
Jane emphasized that the Western narrative often highlights the necessity of standing for righteousness, noting that in Murder at Yellowstone City, even as the authorities pursue Cicero unjustly, Thaddeus recognizes the importance of truth and justice over blind adherence to societal order. Jane remarked, “It’s a story about insisting on truth and justice, even when it’s easier to let go.” He suggested that these themes resonate deeply in contemporary society, where the urgency for truth persists.
“We are in a critical moment where truth becomes paramount over the desire for personal peace,” he noted, suggesting that historical periods often call for individuals to act on their convictions.
This immersive Western mystery will be available for streaming on Netflix starting Thursday, April 24, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Source
movieweb.com