Watch Purgatory

Purgatory is a 1999 Western fantasy film directed by Uli Edel and starring Sam Shepard, Eric Roberts, and Donnie Wahlberg. The plot revolves around a group of notorious outlaws who are mysteriously transported to a small town in the Old West called Refuge, which is ruled by a group of deceased gunslingers who have been given a second chance at redemption. The outlaws must now face their sins and confront their pasts in order to escape the town and move on to the afterlife.

The film begins in the late 1800s, with a group of outlaws led by Blackjack Britton (Shepard) attempting to rob a bank in a small town. The robbery goes wrong and they find themselves surrounded by a posse. In the ensuing shootout, Britton and his posse are killed, but instead of going to hell, they find themselves transported to a surreal and desolate town called Refuge. Here, they are met by a group of eerie and enigmatic gunslingers, who inform them that they have been given a chance at redemption and must stay in the town until they have atoned for their sins.

The outlaws are initially skeptical of their new surroundings and are suspicious of the motives of the ruling gunslingers, who are led by a mysterious figure named Captain Walker (Roberts). However, as they begin to explore the town and get to know its inhabitants, they discover that each one of them is there for a reason and must confront their past in order to move on.

As the outlaws begin to face their own demons, they are also forced to confront a group of bandits who have followed them to Refuge and are intent on killing them. The bandits, led by a vicious and sadistic outlaw known as El Diablo (Wahlberg), pose a deadly threat to both the outlaws and the inhabitants of Refuge, and a violent showdown seems inevitable.

Purgatory is a film that blends elements of Western, fantasy, and spiritual themes, creating a unique and intriguing world that draws the viewer in. The town of Refuge is a mysterious and eerie place, with a surreal and dreamlike quality that is both haunting and beautiful. The characters are well-written and multifaceted, with each one having their own backstory and motivations that are gradually revealed over the course of the film.

The acting is also strong, with Shepard delivering a standout performance as the weary and cynical Blackjack Britton, who is haunted by his past and struggling to find redemption. Roberts is also excellent as the enigmatic Captain Walker, who is tasked with guiding the outlaws through their journey of redemption and atoning for his own past sins.

The film's pacing is deliberate and methodical, with a slow and steady build-up that gradually ramps up the tension and suspense. The action sequences are well-staged and exciting, with a climactic showdown that is both brutal and satisfying.

Overall, Purgatory is a unique and compelling Western that stands out from the pack. Its blend of genres and themes creates a world that is both fantastical and grounded in reality, with characters that are flawed and relatable. The film's themes of redemption and atonement are universal and timeless, making it a must-see for fans of Westerns and fantasy alike.

Purgatory is a 2021 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.