Brutally violent and bloody, American Primeval recently arrived on Netflix and has remained on the platform’s Top 10 list since then. The show tells the story of various groups all fighting for survival and control in 1857 during the tumultuous time of the Wild West, particularly in the territory of Utah. During a time when Brigham Young and his forces, the American government, and numerous Native tribes were all at odds about what belonged to whom, those brave enough to venture West were often caught in the crossfire.
The catalyst for the show’s narrative begins with the Mormon-sanctioned Mountain Meadows Massacre, where Young’s militia was responsible for the murder of over 120 people who were part of a wagon train traveling west. Narrowly surviving the massacre, Sara (Betty Gilpin) and her son Devin (Preston Mota) remain adamant about continuing their journey. As a result, a local outdoorsman, Isaac (Taylor Kitsch), reluctantly agrees to guide them. Along the way, Young’s militia searches for any loose ends that might tie them to the mass murder, including anyone who might have survived.
Comprised of various stories that weave into one another, American Primeval isn’t a series for the faint of heart. The show is gruesome, violent, and often tragically sad. Directed by Peter Berg, the series was created and written by Mark L. Smith, who happened to co-write a film many fans of the show will likely enjoy. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, The Revenant was directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and co-written by Iñárritu and Smith. The film is currently streaming on Max, and viewers captivated by Berg’s series will certainly want to check it out next.
What Is ‘The Revenant’ About?
- Release Date
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December 25, 2015
- Runtime
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156 minutes
Inspired by true events, The Revenant tells the story of Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), a frontiersman who is mauled by a bear during a fur trading expedition in 1823. Ultimately, left for dead by members of his own hunting group, Hugh must fight for survival in an untamed wilderness. Grief-stricken and filled with vengeance after the events that transpired, he does everything he can to make his way back to those who left him behind. Gruesome and gritty, the film authentically portrays the harsh and violent world that existed for those who dared to venture beyond the confines of conventional cities.
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Released in 2015, the film received 12 Academy Award nominations, the most of any other movie that year. It walked away with three wins, including Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor for DiCaprio, which marked the very first win for the actor after five nominations. Hailed by critics and audiences, The Revenant was a box office success and managed to rake in $533 million across the globe on a budget of $135 million.
How Are ‘American Primeval’ and ‘The Revenant’ Similar?
While both possess different narratives, American Primeval and The Revenant remain very similar in their tone and setting. Gritty and gruesome, they each display just how unforgiving the early years of the 19th century were in a developing American frontier. Whereas the Netflix series encompasses a variety of characters with differing perspectives, the film chooses to focus on one and focuses on Hugh’s particular experience while wounded in the wild. Graphic and wildly violent, they each share a level of brutality that’s shocking yet authentic for the time in which they take place.
Unrelenting in their nature, The Revenant and American Primeval are both difficult to watch at times. The film’s iconic bear scene is arguably one of the most gruesome in any dark Western movie, and the series’ opening depiction of the Mountain Meadows Massacre is terrible and tragic for a variety of reasons. Despite their inherent violence, however, they also share an element of heart in spite of everything, which is surprising given what they’re about.
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While they both take place in seemingly heartless places, some characters still manage to maintain their humanity. Make no mistake, the film and the show are not about the perseverance of humanity or compassion. In fact, it could be argued that the opposite is true. Instead, despite how the frontier has hardened many who dare to explore it, there are some whose humanity wins out despite the circumstances. However, there remains a thin line between civility and chaos when loved ones are involved, and both the film and series display what people are truly capable of when their lives are threatened.
Dark and unforgiving, American Primeval and The Revenant don’t aim to tell stories that are uplifting or inspiring. Instead, they strive to showcase the brutality of a world few dare to explore. Without a doubt, The Revenant is the perfect film for fans of the Netflix series. American Primeval is currently streaming on Netflix, and The Revenant is currently streaming on Max.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
