Television and film sensation Taylor Sheridan is steadily establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s most exciting and buzzed-about talents, with the esteemed writer, director, and producer the mastermind behind a slew of fan-favorite small screen hits like Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and Lioness. Before he crafted his dominating TV empire, Sheridan had appeared in popular shows like Sons of Anarchy and had penned the screenplay for the acclaimed action thriller Sicario, before moving on to his next writing endeavor: Hell or High Water.
The gripping 2015 neo-Western thriller became a major stepping stone in Sheridan’s entertainment industry takeover and was both a critical and commercial hit, garnering four Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Screenplay for Sheridan and paving the way for his future dazzling projects. Let’s take a closer look at Hell or High Water and the impressive impact it had on Taylor Sheridan’s career.
- Release Date
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August 12, 2016
- Runtime
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97minutes
Taylor Sheridan’s Expertly Crafted Western Thriller
Taylor Sheridan partnered up with director David Mackenzie to create the riveting 2016 Neo-Western thriller Hell or High Water. They enlisted the sensational talents of Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, and Ben Foster to help tell the gripping tale of two cash-strapped brothers who carry out a dangerous series of bank robberies and are ruthlessly pursued by a pair of seasoned Texas Rangers. Divorced father Toby Howard (Pine) will do anything to create a better life for his estranged sons and set up their futures, and he turns to his hot-headed and wild brother Tanner (Foster) to devise a daring plan to come up with money to save his beloved family ranch.
Toby and Tanner set out to target the West Texas bank responsible for their perilous financial predicament, and despite the fact that they managed to successfully execute the robberies, Tanner’s recklessness causes tension and attracts the unwanted attention of Texas Rangers Marcus Hamilton (Bridges) and Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham). The brothers struggle to stay one step ahead of the savvy lawmen as they attempt to complete their last heist, leading to an epic final showdown that will forever change their lives (for those who manage to survive).
‘Hell or High Water’ Becomes a Critical Triumph
Hell or High Water made its dazzling debut at the Cannes Film Festival where it was screened in the Un Certain Regard competition, garnering universal acclaim for its exceptional cast performances, spellbinding screenplay, and David Mackenzie’s masterful direction. The taut Western thriller went on to become the highest grossing independent film of the year, earning $37.9 million on a $12 million budget and attracting rave reviews, with many singling out Bridges’ scene-stealing role as the dogged Texas Ranger just a few weeks away from retirement.
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Bridges was the recipient of numerous accolades and nominations, including both an Oscar and Golden Globe nod, with the cinema staple ultimately winning Best Supporting Actor by the National Board of Review. Similarly, Taylor Sheridan received overwhelming praise and appreciation for his brilliant contributions, nabbing an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay (in addition to Best Picture and Best Sound Editing nods) and taking home the prestigious prize presented by the Online Film Critics Society.
Hell or High Water currently holds a stellar 97% Rotten Tomatoes score and 88% on the Popcornmeter based on over 25,000 reviews from audiences and is undeniably one of Sheridan’s most revered projects, with the film further elevating his status as one of Hollywood’s most brightest talents. In their glowing review, The Atlantic called the Western “a genre film that transcends genre, an iconic American tale that is nonetheless firmly grounded in both place and time. One of the best movies of the year.”
Sheridan Continues His Dazzling Hollywood Takeover
Back in 2016 when Hell or High Water first came out, Taylor Sheridan had yet to launch his lucrative television empire and was more known for his film and acting work, with the director, writer, and producer extraordinaire having showcased his skills as a performer with memorable roles in Veronica Mars and Sons of Anarchy, and for penning the screenplay for the lauded action thriller Sicario. The Western thriller helped put Sheridan on the map and served as a major career stepping stone for his future success as a creator and Hollywood visionary.
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In 2018, Sheridan created, directed, and wrote the Kevin Costner-led neo-Western Yellowstone, which became a pop culture sensation and ran for five electrifying seasons, spawning a fan-favorite franchise that includes the star-studded prequels 1883 and 1923 and upcoming spin-offs The Madison, 6666, 1944, and the recently announced series centering on Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s characters Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. Sheridan has also helped create hits like Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and Lioness and shows no signs of slowing down, with his most recent small screen knockout being the 2024 drama Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton.
Stream Hell or High Water on Paramount+.