Watch Old Henry
- NR
- 2021
- 1 hr 39 min
-
7.3 (39,155)
Old Henry is a 2021 Western drama film directed by Potsy Ponciroli and stars Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Haze, and Gavin Lewis in the lead roles. Set in the late 1800s, the film follows Henry (Tim Blake Nelson), a gruff and reclusive widower who lives with his teenage son, Wyatt (Gavin Lewis), on a farm in the remote countryside. Henry is a man of few words, and he's content to live his days in solitude, tending to his land and animals.
One day, a wounded man named Ketchum (Scott Haze) shows up on Henry's property, and Henry reluctantly takes him in to nurse him back to health. Ketchum is a notorious outlaw who's being hunted by a posse of men led by a ruthless sheriff (Stephen Dorff). As Ketchum gets better, tensions rise between him and Henry, who starts to suspect that Ketchum may have ulterior motives. Wyatt, meanwhile, is fascinated by the outlaw and wonders if he can learn something from him.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Henry has a dark past that he's been running from. He's a former gunslinger who's trying to leave his violent past behind to protect his son and live a quiet life. But when Henry realizes that Ketchum's pursuers won't stop until they find him, he's forced to confront the ghosts of his past and pick up his gun once again.
Old Henry is a slow-burning, character-driven Western that's more interested in exploring its characters' inner struggles than delivering over-the-top shootouts and action scenes. At its core, it's a story about fathers and sons, and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child. Tim Blake Nelson gives a strong performance as the gruff but caring Henry, who's haunted by his past and struggling to connect with his son. Gavin Lewis is also impressive as Wyatt, who's caught between his father's wishes and his own desire to explore the world outside the farm.
Scott Haze shines as Ketchum, the outlaw with a hidden agenda. He's a charismatic presence on screen, and his interactions with Nelson's Henry are some of the film's best scenes. The supporting cast is also strong, with Stephen Dorff delivering a menacing turn as the sheriff who's determined to capture Ketchum at any cost.
The film's visuals are stunning, with director Potsy Ponciroli making great use of the lush Tennessee countryside to create a sense of isolation and desolation. The cinematography is breathtaking, with each shot carefully framed to convey the characters' emotions and the beauty of the landscape.
Old Henry is a film that's not afraid to take its time, building tension and developing its characters at a steady pace. It's a refreshing change of pace from the bombastic action films that dominate the genre, and it's a testament to the power of strong performances and a compelling story. If you're a fan of classic Westerns or character-driven dramas, you won't want to miss this gem.
Old Henry is a 2021 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 69.