Watch Vermijo

Vermijo is a 2017 western movie that takes place in the unsettled American West of the late 1800s. The film centers around four men - Deputy Harte (Adam Michael Gold), a young bandit named Cowboy (Noah Woods), an outlaw named Slim (Kevin Jackson), and a mysterious man named Bill (Raymond Scott) - as they all converge on the small town of Vermijo. Each of them has their own motivations for being there, and as tensions rise and bullets fly, their goals become increasingly intertwined.

The film opens with Deputy Harte riding into Vermijo in pursuit of Cowboy, who is wanted for several robberies across the state. Harte is somewhat of an inexperienced lawman, eager to prove himself to the people of the town and to his superiors. Cowboy, meanwhile, is a cocky young thief who seems to take pleasure in taunting Harte and others who try to apprehend him.

As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that there are other elements at play in Vermijo beyond just Harte's pursuit of Cowboy. Slim, an old acquaintance of Cowboy's, also arrives in town with the intention of tracking down a wealthy businessman named Mr. Burdette (Daniel Dobson) and exacting revenge on him for past wrongs. Bill, meanwhile, is a mysterious figure who lurks in the shadows and seems to have some kind of connection to everyone else.

The tension in Vermijo is further compounded by the presence of the wealthy and powerful Mr. Burdette, who has his own agenda and seems to be manipulating events behind the scenes. As the various characters cross paths and their true intentions become clearer, the situation in Vermijo becomes increasingly volatile, eventually leading to a violent showdown that will leave none of the characters unscathed.

At its core, Vermijo is a classic western tale of lawmen and outlaws, with a twist of noir-style mystery thrown in for good measure. The film's cinematography and score are both evocative of classic westerns, with sweeping panoramas of the rugged frontier and haunting melodies that capture the desolate beauty of the Western landscape.

What sets Vermijo apart, however, is the way it subverts the genre's tropes and expectations. Rather than presenting a clear-cut hero vs. villain narrative, the film instead explores the complexities of each character's motivations and the murky ethical waters they navigate. None of the characters is entirely good or entirely bad, and each of them is forced to confront the consequences of their choices as the film progresses.

Adam Michael Gold gives a standout performance as Deputy Harte, portraying the character's mix of naivety and determination with subtlety and nuance. Noah Woods is equally effective as Cowboy, imbuing the character with a sense of youthful energy and bravado that occasionally gives way to vulnerability and doubt. Raymond Scott's enigmatic Bill is a particular standout, with the actor conveying a sense of calculated, almost sinister intelligence that keeps the other characters (and the audience) on their toes.

While Vermijo is undeniably a slow burn of a film, with its deliberate pacing and methodical character development, it is ultimately a rewarding experience for fans of the western genre. The film's exploration of the moral gray areas of the Old West, combined with its taut plotting and strong performances, make for a memorable and engaging movie that will linger in viewers' minds long after the final credits have rolled.