Butcher's Crossing

Butcher's Crossing

Year: 2023

Runtime: 1 h 45 m

Language: English

Director: Gabe Polsky

DramaWestern

As Will Andrews abandons Harvard's ivory towers for the unforgiving frontier, he joins forces with enigmatic Miller, promising him a bounty of buffalo hides in a remote valley. But as they face treacherous terrain and brutal conditions, the crew must confront the dark edge between madness and survival.

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Timeline & Setting – Butcher's Crossing (2023)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Butcher's Crossing (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1874

The year 1874 was steeped in the rugged realities of America's Westward Expansion. It was a time when the buffalo herds were rapidly diminishing due to overhunting, impacting the livelihoods of numerous frontier towns. The clash between ambition and morality is underscored by the era's struggles, highlighting the challenges faced by pioneers seeking fortune in a desolate land.

Location

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas, Colorado Mountains

Butcher's Crossing is a small frontier town in Kansas known for its buffalo hide trade. The surrounding Colorado Mountains serve as a breathtaking backdrop for the harrowing journey undertaken by the characters, representing both beauty and danger in the wild. This harsh and unforgiving landscape plays a crucial role in shaping the destinies of those who traverse it.

🏞️ Wilderness 🏙️ Frontier Town

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:31

Main Characters – Butcher's Crossing (2023)
Meet the key characters of Butcher's Crossing (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger)

Will Andrews is a young man driven by a thirst for adventure, leaving behind his sheltered life for the wilds of Butcher's Crossing. Initially idealistic, he becomes increasingly plagued by the brutal realities of hunting and the moral compromises he faces under Miller’s influence. His character arc demonstrates a profound transformation from innocence to a hardened understanding of survival.

🎓 Ambition 🚶‍♂️ Transformation

Miller (Nicolas Cage)

Miller is an experienced and reckless hunter whose desire for glory blinds him to the dangers of his pursuits. His charismatic yet morally ambiguous nature draws Will into an obsessive quest for riches, showcasing the darker side of ambition. Miller's downfall reflects the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and the toll it takes on his companions.

🔫 Recklessness 💔 Tragedy

Charlie Hoge (Xander Berkeley)

Charlie Hoge is a one-armed drifter with a complex personality, balancing his affinity for scripture with his struggles with addiction. His character provides a moral contrast to Miller, embodying both wisdom and downfall. As tensions rise, Hoge's desperation leads to a betrayal, emphasizing the role of despair in moral degradation.

📖 Moral Conflict ⚖️ Betrayal

Fred Schneider (Jeremy Bobb)

Fred Schneider serves as the pragmatic voice of reason within the group, constantly skeptical of Miller's grandiose plans. As the journey grows more perilous, his concerns become a reality, fighting to maintain sanity amidst chaos. His character represents the struggle of holding onto one's principles in the face of overwhelming challenges.

🤨 Skepticism 🔧 Practicality

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:31

Major Themes – Butcher's Crossing (2023)
Explore the central themes of Butcher's Crossing (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛶 Survival

Survival is a central theme in 'Butcher's Crossing', as the characters grapple with the harsh realities of nature and human greed. Their journey into the mountains exposes them to both external dangers and internal conflicts, pushing them to their limits. Ultimately, survival becomes not just a physical challenge but a test of moral integrity and resilience.

🔥 Desperation

'Butcher's Crossing' captures the essence of desperation, highlighted by the characters' spiraling descent into madness and conflict. As their circumstances grow dire, feelings of betrayal and hopelessness lead to tragic outcomes. This theme illustrates how extreme situations can unravel the bonds of trust and humanity.

💔 Loss

The theme of loss permeates 'Butcher's Crossing', reflecting both physical and emotional journeys. The collapse of the buffalo hide trade symbolizes the end of an era, while the characters face profound personal losses. Their ultimate return to a ghostly town signifies the harsh truth that not all efforts yield reward, resulting in deep introspection.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:31

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