Butcher’s Crossing (2022)

🎬 Overview

Butcher’s Crossing is a 2022 American Western drama directed by Gabe Polsky, in his narrative feature debut. It is adapted from the 1960 novel by John Edward Williams and stars Nicolas Cage, Fred Hechinger, Xander Berkeley, Rachel Keller, Jeremy Bobb, and Paul Raci.

📝 Plot Summary

Set in 1874, the film follows Will Andrews, a young Harvard dropout who travels to the frontier town of Butcher’s Crossing, Kansas, in search of a more meaningful life. There, he meets Miller, a rugged and obsessive buffalo hunter who convinces Will to join an expedition to hunt a legendary herd in the remote Colorado wilderness.

The hunting party, which includes characters like Charlie Hoge and Fred Schneider, finds the herd and begins slaughtering buffalo in massive numbers. As winter approaches, the group becomes trapped by snow in the mountains, and the long, brutal isolation begins to wear on their minds. Greed, madness, and the harsh conditions test their physical and mental limits.

When they finally return to civilization months later, they discover that the buffalo hide market has collapsed. Their efforts and sacrifices were in vain. Disillusioned, Will rejects his former ideals, and Miller, consumed by his failure, sets fire to the trading post. Will then departs alone, forever changed by the experience.

🎭 Cast & Characters

• Nicolas Cage as Miller – a seasoned, obsessive buffalo hunter

• Fred Hechinger as Will Andrews – a naive young man seeking adventure and meaning

• Jeremy Bobb as Fred Schneider – a pragmatic skinner

• Paul Raci as Charlie Hoge – a deeply religious and loyal companion

• Rachel Keller and Xander Berkeley in supporting roles

🛠️ Production Details

• Directed by Gabe Polsky, who co-wrote the screenplay

• Cinematography by David Gallego

• Music composed by Leo Birenberg

• Filming took place in Montana in late 2021

• Produced by Altitude Film Entertainment, Saturn Films, and Gabe Polsky Productions

• Distributed by Saban Films

🎥 Themes & Visuals

The film explores themes of obsession, man versus nature, greed, disillusionment, and the myth of the American frontier. Visually, it captures the harsh, beautiful desolation of the wilderness. The tone is bleak and meditative, with an emphasis on internal transformation and moral decay. The character of Miller has been compared to figures like Captain Ahab or Colonel Kurtz in his intensity and destructive fixation.

📅 Release & Runtime

• Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022

• Released in U.S. theaters on October 20, 2023

• Runtime: approximately 107 minutes

• Rated R for strong language, violence, and disturbing imagery

⭐ Reception

Butcher’s Crossing received mixed reviews. Critics praised its ambitious themes and strong central performance by Nicolas Cage but noted issues with pacing and underdeveloped supporting characters. Some appreciated its psychological depth and stark realism, while others found it slow and emotionally distant.

💬 Final Thoughts

Butcher’s Crossing is a gritty, philosophical Western that strips away romanticism to expose the harsh realities of frontier life and human obsession. While not for everyone, it stands out as a haunting character study and a bold reinterpretation of the American West. It’s recommended for viewers who enjoy introspective, slow-burn dramas with thematic weight.