West of Hell

West of Hell from 2018 is a supernatural horror western directed by Michael Steves and produced by Yougo Bizzell. The film stars Tony Todd, Michael Eklund and Lance Henriksen. The film captures the essence of the Wild West in this intriguing journey into the supernatural, blending the Special FX horror genre with a high-intensity chase through the desolate landscapes of the Wild West.

The story starts on a supernatural note. This is a western horror film that starts with the former slave, Jeremiah (played by Tony Todd), whose life took a dark turn during the Civil War. Now, he is on a quest for redemption from his past and toward a personal absolution. Tony Todd brings his signature intensity to the role, imbuing Jeremiah with a sense of both quiet menace and deep humanity.

Michael Eklund, a highly talented actor, portrays a character who is eccentric, twisted, and manipulated by his own wickedness. Eklund's performance brings the tension to the boiling point while he rides a mysterious late-night train. His acting subtly portrays the horror and fear of the unknown which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Lance Henriksen, another legend in the horror genre, plays the enriching role as a lush and slightly deranged priest adding to the enigmatic aura of the entire plot. His character provides the necessary foil for Jeremiah's humbly heroic arc, offering both guidance and conflict as the story progresses.

The story revolves around making moral amends in order to redeem one's soul in the afterlife. As the characters ride on a ghostly locomotive, they meet various individuals from different walks of life, each with their own dark secrets and past sins. Suddenly, they find themselves on a train ride from which there is no return. The characters confront their past, face their sins, and are left to make choices they must live (or die) with forever.

West of Hell's cinematography captures the stark, desolate landscapes of the Wild West with spectacular detail. The gritty, dusty hues of setting envelopes the characters, evolving as a separate entity in the storyline. The haunting images of the sun-scorched hills and eerie desert vistas give the film a paradoxical sense of both vast open space and claustrophobic tension. It's a jarring yet transfixing backdrop for the supernatural elements that infuse the film.

The horror elements are strikingly rendered with expertly choreographed special effects and well-crafted practical makeup. There's a sense of the unexpected at every turn, with a plot steeped in mystery and sustained suspense. The eerie train that serves as the main setting of the film takes on a life of its own, becoming a horrifying character in and of itself, trapping the true characters aboard and driving them relentlessly toward their fate.

The key role of music cannot be undermined in shaping the eerie and unsettling environment of the film. The deep, unsettling score, composed by Michael Teoli, resonates with every creak of the train, each gust of wind. It stands as a character itself, setting the tone and echoing the heartbeat of the story. It carries the film's narrative, amplifying the tension, and signaling shifts in the plot.

The director, Michael Steves, has masterfully blended different genres. Despite the traditional styling of a Western, the horror points in the movie are served with a modern touch making the film an intoxicating amalgamation of the best parts of both genres. Steves lets his characters breathe, ensuring that the audience is invested in their stories and is captured by the suspense as the horrors of their actions return to haunt them. The film is a testament to Steves' understanding of what makes both Westerns and horror films work.

West of Hell stands apart from many other supernatural horror films due to its unique Western twist. It sears with tension and keeps your heart pounding until the very end. If you're a fan of horror, or if you enjoy an action-packed western, this movie will satisfy those cravings within a spooky, fast-paced screenplay. With an unforgettable tale of redemption and solid performances from its cast, West of Hell takes viewers on a thrilling ride into the supernatural depths of the Wild West's history and its haunting past.

Simply put, West of Hell takes you on a captivating journey where conventional norms of right and wrong blur and leaves you questioning the essence of redemption. The film serves as a severe reminder to the viewer that the worst kind of ghost is the kind we make of ourselves.