Actor, writer, director, producer, and show creator, Taylor Sheridan has become one of the most notable names in television, helping to shape the modern landscape and push the format forward with shows like Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, Special Ops: Lioness and Yellowstone. Every project that Sheridan works on seems to become must-watch TV, with Yellowstone‘s divisive ending still resonating in the minds of many fans.
Looking at Sheridan’s filmography, there is one notable project that sticks out among the rest, and not necessarily for the best of reasons. Released in 2011, Taylor Sheridan stepped into the director’s seat for the first time to tackle a horror film. Vile leans into the more extreme and shocking piece of terror, making it an even more of a peculiar choice when considering the refined creative vision that Sheridan would come to be known for. We will look at what Vile is, Sheridan’s involvement, and if it is a hidden gem, or better left a side-note in his career.
‘Vile’ Lives Up to Its Namesake
While on a road trip, Nick, Tayler, Tony, and Kai end up aiding a woman in need of gas. This is a big mistake when she subdues them, and they awaken in a house trapped with other strangers. They are advised that, as a collective, they must produce a chemical for a drug that involves eliciting pain responses. The group resolves to take turns offering their share, subjecting themselves to extreme pain to meet the task’s requirements. While diplomatic at first, tensions begin to run high, leading to scheming and extreme violence against members not doing their share.
A mix between a social experiment and a perverse game of torture, Vile is not unique in the crowded horror space of films inspired by works like the sensational kill-focused Saw or Hostel. Personalities are played against each other, but with a clear protagonist whose life is seen as more valued based on prerequisites the feature sets up. The production’s predictability pushes the audience to emphasize its more extreme elements, and many of the devised tortures the cast inflict on each other are stomach-churning. Cruelty is king in Vile.
Released in 2011, the movie would have fallen under the radar of most. While Taylor Sheridan’s addition as director is certainly a notable part of the production, he had not yet found the notoriety he has today. Vile is a small indie film with a cast of actors primarily working in that space. Yet there are a few notable names, including Greg Cipes, who would go on to voice Beast Boy of Teen Titans and Michelangelo of TMNT, and McKenzie Westmore, who currently hosts the long-running reality TV show Face Off.
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What ‘Vile’ Says About Taylor Sheridan as a Director
Vile has all the markings of a first-time director: a lot of misguided passion. While competently handled, there is an over-reliance on many techniques done with an unskilled hand, such as zoom-ins on faces to emphasize shared affection and a shaky cam to convey chaos. The production is not terrible in execution, but it is far from polished. Directing Vile was a favor to a friend, likely to Eric Jay Beck, who wrote the project and had worked with Sheridan previously. Taylor Sheridan does not consider it his directorial debut and seems displeased with it attached to his name.
Taylor Sheridan’s follow-up, Wind River, would depart from Vile and the horror genre, setting a standard of what fans could expect. His script and approach to directing Wind River showed Sheridan could tackle complex characters and deeper themes. The movie would also show his ability to bring out the best from his actors, by allowing the characters to interact naturally on set, backed by a strong, poignant script. Wind River also boasted quick pacing, with moments of violence without feeling exploitative. Much of the ethos of Sheridan as a creative is highlighted in Wind River, and can be seen not just in the projects he directed but in the many series he created.
Should You Watch ‘Vile’?
If you are a fan of Sheridan as an actor or director, Vile is unlikely to be an enjoyable experience. The movie showcases Sheridan ‘learning the ropes’ as a director, and while there are moments of flair that show his potential, the outcome is not nearly as polished and refined as his later projects. Content-wise, the crossover between those who enjoy extremely gory movies and shows like Yellowstone is going to be pretty razor-thin. From the perspective of Sheridan’s involvement, Vile is a curiosity at best and should only be viewed by a die-hard fan who MUST see everything he has ever done.
For those looking for a good horror movie, Vile presents unique challenges. While the content is pretty graphic and shocking in concept, it will fall short for those who like extreme cinema as it is not overly graphic and sometimes shies away from showing the details. Conversely, those coming to the feature for the psychological element expected in the ‘death game’ format will find it lacks the depth to stand above others in the crowded sub-genre.
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Fans and critics have both been unkind to Vile, and it is easy to see why with its many faults. However, the movie is not offensively bad. Vile has some interesting twists, decent performances, a great soundtrack, and spurts of chaotic violence; sometimes, a ‘mid’ horror movie with a bit of nastiness hits the spot for fans of the genre. You can check the movie out for yourself; Vile is available to stream on Plex or Crackle.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
