User reviews

Canadian director Audrey Cummings delivers a successful Western that knows how to survive thanks to its good final stretch with one of the craziest climaxes of 2024.

It is a low-budget film and it shows in both its production and its set design, but with all that it manages to give a fairly successful film that is strengthened by having a fairly recognized cast that gives some prestige to a simple, straightforward and somewhat everyday script, but that is inspired in its final part to compensate for all the flaws that we can find with a truly mind-blowing twist.

The grace is in knowing how to solve the strong points of the script that allow you to stay away from all the situations that are happening, it knows how to use tension, drama and humor to always keep you up to date with everything that is happening, to then completely let go and give a pleasant surprise in its resolution to everything that was built up for us previously.

A film reminiscent of a low-budget Western that isn't perfect, that has many simplistic things and perhaps a bit of cheesy dialogue, but in the end it is an achieved result and we end up having a film with which we really have a good time without realizing it, a rewarding bet in its right measure.

It is years after the Civil War. Pandora (Heather Graham) and her daughter Hester are living on an isolated desolate ranch. Her husband is dead and buried on a nearby hillside. They are always watching out for intruders. They find a wounded bank robber followed by more criminals looking for the stolen loot.

There is a flatness to this western. There is something missing. I couldn't put my finger on it until the final revelation. The movie keeps hinting on something sinister, but it never says it out loud until the end. I couldn't feel anything for any of these characters because I could never be sure about them. While the ending is interesting, it's a long flat wait to get there.

A woman and teenage daughter are forced to defend themselves when an injured man attracks outlaws to their homestead.

This is a very B movie. The storyline is quite predictable but attempts to put a little twist on the ending. The writing, character development and overall atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. Poor dialog, uninteresting characters and forced acting feels cringy, unnatural and much like a community theater performance. I felt myself forcing interest to finish watching it. The twist also falls flat.

This is not a film I'll be recommending to anyone unless they're just looking for something challenging to watch from beginning to the end.

This was a decent western, and I am not into western movies generally due to the slanted views of Indigenous Americans and the Misogynist treatment of women.

That being said, I found this one watchable, but not without plot holes and actions by the women that seems off base due to their circumstances.

The male antagonist lived up to their roles of being of the same mindset of right-wing maganuts. So I commend them on their acting chops. I didn't like any of them, so they did an excellent job.

Other than some of the antics by the daughter and two gapping plot holes, I quite enjoyed this.

Oh yeah, the twist at the end was nifty and after it came up I had an Aha moment.

A mother and daughter are struggling to survive in the wild frontier when a stranger appears in desperate need of help along with a bag ill-gotten gains along with a band of unsavory characters that put to test the ladies determination and strength. This Western thriller stars Heather Graham (Pandora), Brielle Robilliard (Hester), Corin Nemec (Calhoun), Tom Hopper (Bear John), Donald Cerrone (Minor Wilson), David Lipper (Ed Singletary), Gattlin Griffith (Cherokee Jack). The film is well directed by Audrey Cummings. Richard Taylor wrote this frightening and disturbing western that tapped into this western genre that you rarely see that we need more of. I mean just when you think the direction the film is going it turns on a dime making you think what the heck just happened. The music score just adds to this film it is so good. The acting is so good that I wanted more. Enjoy this film.

I don't understand how people are giving this such glowing reviews. The acting is lifeless, it comes across as if they are actually just reading the lines. The dialogue is so cliched I can confidently say it must have been written by Yosemite Sam. The locations consist of one small house with barn and outhouse and one wooded area, that's pretty much it.

So after 60-80 minutes of not very much you get a very lazy shootout and a twist ending which really should have been the idea for the whole plot instead of just a twist.

Better acting or a better script, or better action, any of those would have raised this up to be a 5 star movie but all of them just fail.

Firstly, I'm a huge fan of anything Corin Nemec does so I really enjoyed and to see him in a Western type movie which was pleasantly surprising. PLACE OF BONES grabs from the start. You know from the start there something a little off about Pandora and Hester but you just can't put your finger on it. The movie was a little slow to start but once it got going I couldn't look away. I just had to watch until the end. Heather Graham and Corin Nemecs' acting really grabbed you, as did all the actors. The twist at the end was real surprise. I've always enjoyed movies with a plot twist and this movie certainly had that. Well done to all involved.

It was quite clichéd throughout. A desperate widow and her daughter live alone in the middle of nowhere, with no horses or obvious farming-just a grave for her deceased husband and nothing else. I thought the girl was feeding chickens, but there are no chickens to be fed; she's just scattering small stones around. One day they end up with a con man and a bunch of stolen money in their cabin. How will they survive the real bad guys who are after the con man? I watched with many questions until, at the very end, everything falls into place. This is one of those movies where you can expect a sequel. Just for the ending, my rating goes from 5 to 8.

Place of Bones, directed by Audrey Cummings, is a gripping tale of survival set against the harsh backdrop of a remote ranch. The film, featuring a strong cast including Heather Graham, Tom Hopper, Corin Nemec, Brielle Robillard, and more, delivers a compelling and intense narrative. The story follows a mother and daughter whose lives are upended when a wounded outlaw, seeking refuge, leads a notorious bank robber and his ruthless gang to their doorstep, all in pursuit of a stolen fortune.

The cinematography captures the raw and endless landscape, perfectly complementing the tension that builds throughout the film. The performances are commendable, with each actor bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. Corin Nemec delivers a particularly memorable performance, portraying a ruthless thief with a surprising depth that evolves as the story unfolds. Nemec's portrayal is grounded and truthful, subtly revealing the complexities of his character without ever losing the edge that makes him so compelling. It's the kind of performance that showcases Nemec's skill as an actor, blending intensity with just the right amount of vulnerability.

Cummings' direction keeps the pace taut, ensuring that viewers remain invested in the unfolding drama. The plot is well-constructed, keeping the audience on edge as the story progresses toward an unexpected and satisfying conclusion. The ending, in particular, is a standout, delivering a twist that is both surprising and fulfilling. Overall, Place of Bones is a well-crafted western thriller that showcases solid performances, effective storytelling, and Beautiful cinematography, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

This movie was so much fun for me! First off, always love a good western and this was better than good on all levels for me. It was so cool to see Heather Graham, as Pandora, in this role and the fact that Corin Nemec, as Calhoun, knocked it out of the park! I have to admit I was a Parker Lewis Can't Lose mega fan and to see Corin make this movie seem so authentic with the Calhoun character was awesome to watch! Tom Hopper, as Bear John, was also very convincing in his portrayal of such an ominous character that you have to see to believe.

When I found out that the cinematographer was the same person that did both of Quentin Tarantino's, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, I was so beyond excited to see the cinematic style and it feels familiar in all the best ways. Every shot is pretty and pleasing to my eye. For all reasons, this "wild" western twisty thrill ride is just plain old fashioned fun!

As a European, it took me a few more days than I had originally hoped to enjoy the Western "Place of Bones" - but I finally managed, and it was an adventurous delight!

It does resemble a chamber play because the film is very dialogue-rich, but those dialogues are witty and work on multiple levels. Therefore, I understand Corin Nemec's Tarantino/"The Hateful Eight"-comparison, but I would rather liken it to "Django Unchained" (due to similarly magnificent landscape opening scenes) and "Reservoir Dogs" (due to a similar money heist theme), simply because I'm personally not a big fan of "The Hateful Eight". (Plus, the characters in "Place of Bones" are much more distinct.)

As I said, the landscape shots are wonderful, simply superb, the sets are rustic and cozy, and the three main actors Heather Graham, Corin Nemec, and the extremely talented young Brielle Robillard are fantastic.

Yes, Tom Hopper's name is actually next to Heather Graham's on the movie poster, but in terms of screen time and the intensity of the performance, Corin Nemec definitely deserves this spot with his multi-layered depiction of the mysterious, wounded outlaw Austin Calhoun.

The longer you immerse yourself in the film's plot, the better you understand why Corin Nemec portrayed the role exactly as he did and not in any other way. You understand why he chose to gave him certain nuances that emphasize a latent, but important vibe in the movie.

So, yeah, his character Calhoun is not easy to categorize. The trio's dynamic in the Wild West almost reminds one at first of "The Last Sunset" (aka "El Perdido") - but unlike Kirk Douglas' killer character, Calhoun is much quirkier.

So: Is he good, is he bad, is he just comic relief, a fatherly mentor, a stubborn love interest, a highly eloquent sounding board - or just a means to an end? Calhoun is dramaturgically difficult to classify for a long time. In one or two scenes, there is even a hint of that familiar satirical-amusing Parker Lewis/Miss Musso dynamic that many viewers might associate with Nemec, but oftentimes there's a realistic and cold hostility between Pandora and Calhoun. Sometimes there's a hint of finer feelings, and then again it seems like a purely pragmatic partnership between Heather Graham's Pandora and Corin Nemec's Calhoun. You can't quite categorize the whole "situationship" between the two ... and that's a good thing. In any case, there is definitely an intense chemistry in that cabin that elevates the whole thing to a higher artistic level.

As a romantic, I definitely liked Calhoun's classic gentleman's line at a certain point in the film, and indeed, this Western strangely offers all sorts of delicacies for both traditionalists and avant-gardists.

By the way, the always dramaturgically important beginning and end scenes are both very convincing ... each in their own rather astounding way. The important first ten minutes create tension, and there is no shortage of subtly weird-ish foreshadowing. And the ending ... offers a scrumptious payoff.

But the real main attraction of "Place of Bones" is, of course, Heather Graham, whose expressive eyes alone could carry the entire film. She gives the "plain woman in the middle of nowhere" a refreshing variety of facets.

I have also just read the headline that she even played make-up-free. Wow! Not only regarding her natural timeless beauty but also because she could easily match the expressiveness of any silent film actor, who all famously wore a lot of eye makeup to enhance their performance.

The fashion police also gives extra praise for Calhoun's super stylish saddlebags!

But my inner child bemourns that clowns and dolls - or in this case a clown doll - are nowadays (and according to the film, even back then) only seen as 'creepy'. At least this harsh criticism is voiced by a villain, which makes it easier for me to digest.

But that tiny drop of bitterness aside - all in all you get an unusual, delectable Wild West movie with glorious landscapes, immersive ambience, intense acting & story twists - exquisitely lit and disturbingly cozy.

Plus: The movie's soundtrack renewed my love for the powerful ballad "Where did you sleep last night?".

And in the end the darkly beautiful mood of that melancholic song reveals itself as more than fitting for"Place of Bones" ...

Great acting. Great dialogue. Great storyline. Great cinematography.

At first it seems like a basic movie with low budget, but when you have great acting and special FX that works, a basic movie turns into} something special like this. Under normal circumstances, you'd expect to get bored with so much dialogue, but I didn't experience that with this movie. The dialogue was funny, it was intelligent and interesting. The twist at the end was surprising even though it really didn't have anything to do with the actually occurrence in the movie.

All in all, it's a pretty decent Western, give it a chance.

Place of Bones, starring one of my favorite actors, Corin Nemec, did not disappoint. It was thought-provoking with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I would love to see more of Corin Nemec in movies; his acting in Place of Bones was by far one of his best performances. The whole cast made you feel as if you were in that cabin, fighting for your life.

The cast and movie set of Place of Bones are truly first-class. I particularly loved Heather Graham's rifle scenes-she brought an intense and authentic energy to her role. However, I was surprised that Corin Nemec's name wasn't featured on the poster, especially considering his standout performance. His portrayal was one of the highlights of the film, and it's a shame he didn't receive more prominent recognition in the promotional materials. Despite this, the film delivers a captivating experience, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

So, grab your drinks and popcorn, and get ready to be transported to the tumbleweed-filled Wild Wild West!