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Year: 2023
Runtime: 95 min
Language: English
In a gritty Western debut, Nicolas Cage plays Colton Briggs, a notorious gunslinger turned family man. When outlaws threaten his loved ones, Colton must dust off his violent past and team up with an unlikely ally - his 12-year-old daughter - to take down the enemy in a heart-pumping showdown that will leave only one standing.
Warning: spoilers below!
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In the year 1878, within the rugged expanse of the Montana Territory, gunfighter Colton Briggs finds himself part of an extrajudicial posse tasked with capturing and executing Walter McAllister, a notorious bandit’s brother. However, plans take a violent turn when Walter and his gang attempt to thwart the public execution, sparking a relentless shootout that results in only Colton and Walter’s son, James surviving the chaos. In an emotional moment, Colton promises to spare Walter’s brother, using his execution as a mere ruse to draw out Walter. Yet, the younger McAllister, filled with rage, attempts to ambush Colton but is swiftly gunned down, leaving a lasting impression on young James.
Fast forward twenty years, and Colton is no longer the ruthless gunfighter he once was. Influenced by his loving wife Ruth, he has transformed into a respected merchant, running a general store and maintaining a modest farm where he raises their rebellious twelve-year-old daughter, Brooke. Sadly, Brooke’s defiant demeanor and emotional detachment are stark reminders of her father’s tumultuous past. One dreadful day, their peaceful lives are shattered when James McAllister returns, leading his gang to their farm, brutally murdering Ruth, and scrawling a taunting message in her blood before retreating.
As they mourn Ruth, they meet Franklin Jarret, the U.S. Marshal, who had once shared a close camaraderie with Colton. Jarret praises Colton for abandoning his violent ways but warns him against seeking vengeance. Despite his friend’s advice, vengeance consumes Colton, and he decides to take Brooke with him. He dons his old gunfighter attire, armed with pistols, and sets ablaze their home, marking the end of his peaceful life.
As they pursue answers, Colton and Brooke manage to confront Jarret once more, discovering that James plans to escape to Santa Rosa, Colorado, to retrieve a hidden stash of pesos. Determined, Colton warns Jarret not to interfere with his plans. In the town of Santa Rosa, while Colton waits outside, Brooke tries to gather intel from a local shopkeeper but is captured by James.
Brimming with his old skills, Colton skillfully dispatches members of the McAllister gang, culminating in a tense standoff where James presents him with a brutal choice: kill him, and Brooke dies, or sacrifice himself. In a calculated move, Colton takes down the second man, only to take a bullet from James. In an unexpected turn of events, Brooke, who has been honing her shooting skills, heroically picks up her father’s gun and avenges him, killing James.
As the dust settles, Jarret arrives and concocts a cover story to preserve Colton’s legacy, claiming he died heroically while apprehending criminals. Unbeknownst to Jarret, however, Brooke cleverly conceals a large sum of the McAllister gang’s money and sets her sights on returning home, leaving viewers eager to see how their story unfolds.
Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 16:36
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