Nicholas Cage has been on a roll for the better part of a decade starring in a string of critically acclaimed independent films. His films range from silly, to thought-provoking, to truly bizarre, and Butcher’s Crossing aims to sit itself right there in the middle. With a solid cast, an ambitious director in Gabe Polsky, and a setting to die for Butcher’s Crossing has every chance of becoming yet another Nicholas Cage acclaimed cult hit, but does it succeed?

The Plot

Based on the 1960 novel by John Williams of the same name, Butcher’s Crossing is a Western set in the waning days of the wild frontier. A young man named Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger) from Harvard arrives in a fur trading town searching for adventure. One seasoned hunter, Cage’s intense Miller is more than happy to oblige, for a price. The hunt, in search of a legendary bison herd, will cost him $600. Little does he know that the perils and pitfalls he will encounter in his journey will add a piece of his soul to the final bill. 

The Production

One of the best things about Butcher’s Crossing is the aesthetic that it presents. The cinematography is stunning, with spectacular rolling vistas and magnificent mountainsscapes captured in perfect light. The costuming and set design feel lived in and weathered. Even details like the thick layer of soot on Nicholas Cage’s face after a long day of firing manually packed black powder cartridges. In a genre known for striking visuals and iconic locations, Butchers Crossing fits right in with the classic westerns we know and love.

The Buffalo

Possibly the most incredible part of this film is the way that it is able to show the Buffalo herd. I was so amazed that I had to look into it, and I discovered something both surprising and wonderful. The makers of Butchers Crossing partnered with the Blackfeet Buffalo Program, an organization responsible for caring for and managing the buffalo herds on the Blackfeet nation reservation The film is able to present these beautiful creatures in their full majesty because they worked directly with people who have been caring for them for more than 20 years. 

“I wanted to be involved to ensure the authenticity of the story, and that our buffalo and land are handled with care.”

– Ervin Carlson, Director of the Blackfeet Buffalo Program

It’s Not a Western?

While Butcher’s Crossing works well when viewed as a Western, there is certainly an argument to be made that it becomes something more along the way. In fact, I was struck quite early on the film by the use of subtle horror tropes to create a sense of foreboding and unease. As the film goes on, the tension increases, and we see the full weight of the psychological stress on these men as it pushes them beyond their breaking point.

“I personally see the film as more of an epic adventure drama with psychological and environmental horror elements vs. a Western.”

– Gabe Polsky, Director

The Cast

I will leave my critique of Nicholas Cage’s performance for its own section, given the unbearable weight of his massive talent. The rest of the cast is small but quite solid. Fred Hechinger’s portrayal of the young Will Andrews is a bit lacking, though that may add to the naive nature of the young student. Xander Berkeley excels as the one-handed old Charlie Hoag, making every rambling anecdote and wise word utterly believable. Jeremy Robb provides a compelling, if often abrasive, antagonistic voice of reason to the hunting party. Though gifted with much less screen time, Paul Raci is pivotal to major plot points at the beginning and end of the film, and he plays his part to a tee. Sadly, though there are a few other characters, none are given enough screen time to really comment on their performances.

Nick Cage Crazy

These days, Nicholas Cage is a genre unto himself. Any independent film that is lucky enough to count Cage among its cast must be aware that it is a Nicholas Cage movie first, and whatever else you want it to be second. His signature flamboyant style of acting can certainly elevate the right kind of film, but Butcher’s Crossing calls for something a little more subtle. Thankfully, Cage proved himself able to subdue his innate theatricality and present just the right level of intensity. Even in the grips of madness, he manages to only show a sliver of what I like to call “Nick Cage crazy.” 

The Drawbacks

There are, unfortunately, several points where I feel that Butcher’s Crossing falls short. Through all of the beauty and bloodshed, I couldn’t help but feel that there were a few things missing. The most surprising omission was of the Native peoples, upon whose land the characters hunt, but who are never seen and only ever referenced as a vague threat. There is also an underwhelming female presence in the film, with only two women in the cast who collectively exist in three scenes and are used only as plot devices. Lastly, though the director successfully used horror and thriller influences throughout the film, and there are some strong comparisons to the Ishmael and Ahab story to be made, Butcher’s Crossing never fully commits to that idea and seems to resolve some of the tension it worked so hard to build without much explanation. 

Should You Visit Butcher’s Crossing?

Butcher’s Crossing is definitely worth a watch for any fan of modern Westerns or nature cinematography. The characters and themes are layered and interesting, despite character arcs coming across as rushed. The picture that it builds and the questions that it asks about human nature and our relationship with nature are interesting and worth asking. Nicholas Cage certainly wasn’t necessary for this film to be engaging, but his performance is a cherry on top of this enjoyable film.