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'''''Hostiles''''' is a 2017 American [[Western (genre)|Western film]] written and directed by [[Scott Cooper (director)|Scott Cooper]], based on a story by [[Donald E. Stewart]]. It stars [[Christian Bale]], [[Rosamund Pike]], [[Wes Studi]], [[Ben Foster (actor)|Ben Foster]], [[Stephen Lang]], [[Jesse Plemons]], [[Rory Cochrane]], [[Adam Beach]], [[Q'orianka Kilcher]], [[Jonathan Majors]], and [[Timothée Chalamet]]. It follows a U.S. Army cavalry officer who must escort a [[Cheyenne]] war chief and his family back to their home in [[Montana]] in 1892.
'''''Hostiles''''' is a 2017 American [[western drama]] film written and directed by [[Scott Cooper (director)|Scott Cooper]], based on a story by [[Donald E. Stewart]]. It stars [[Christian Bale]], [[Rosamund Pike]], [[Wes Studi]], [[Ben Foster (actor)|Ben Foster]], [[Stephen Lang]], [[Jesse Plemons]], [[Rory Cochrane]], [[Adam Beach]], [[Q'orianka Kilcher]], [[Jonathan Majors]], and [[Timothée Chalamet]] appear in supporting roles. It follows a U.S. Army cavalry officer in 1892 who must escort a [[Cheyenne]] war chief and his family back to their home in [[Montana]].


The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2017, and had a [[limited release]] in the United States by [[Entertainment Studios]] beginning December 22, 2017, before going wide on January 26, 2018. It received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $35 million worldwide.
The film had its world premiere on September 2, 2017, at the [[Telluride Film Festival]]. It had a [[limited release]] in the United States by [[Entertainment Studios]] beginning December 22, 2017, before going wide on January 26, 2018. It received generally positive reviews from critics, but grossed just $35 million worldwide.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
In [[New Mexico Territory|New Mexico]] in 1892, [[Manifest destiny|settler]] Rosalee Quaid and her family are attacked by a [[Comanche]] war group who kill her husband and three children. Rosalee escapes by hiding under a rock outcrop.
In the [[New Mexico Territory]] in 1892, settler Rosalee Quaid and her family are attacked by a [[Comanche]] war group who kill her husband and three children. Rosalee escapes by hiding under a rock outcrop.


At Fort Berringer, soon-to-retire [[U.S. Army]] captain Joseph Blocker is ordered by [[Benjamin Harrison|President Harrison]] to escort the [[cancer]]-stricken [[Cheyenne]] war chief Yellow Hawk and four members of his family back to their tribal lands in [[Montana]]. Blocker initially refuses as he and Yellow Hawk are [[Great Sioux War of 1876|old enemies]], but accepts under the threat of [[court-martial]] and loss of his [[pension]]. Blocker sets out for Montana accompanied by his old friend first sergeant Thomas Metz, long-time aide corporal Woodson, [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] newcomer lieutenant Kidder, and a young private named Dejardin.
At Fort Berringer, soon-to-retire [[U.S. Army]] captain Joseph Blocker is ordered by [[Benjamin Harrison|President Harrison]] to escort the cancer-stricken [[Cheyenne]] war chief Yellow Hawk and four members of his family back to their tribal lands in [[Montana]]. Blocker initially refuses as he and Yellow Hawk are old enemies from the [[Great Sioux War of 1876]], but accepts under the threat of [[court-martial]] and loss of his [[pension]]. Blocker sets out for Montana accompanied by his old friend 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz, long-time aide Cpl. Woodson, [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] newcomer Lt. Kidder, and a young private named Dejardin.


Blocker challenges Yellow Hawk to a knife fight, but he refuses. The group soon comes across the Quaid house and Rosalee's dead husband. Inside the house, they find a traumatized Rosalee and her deceased children. After some convincing, Rosalee agrees to join the company until their next stop-over in Fort Winslow, [[Colorado]]. They are soon ambushed by the Comanche who kill Dejardin and seriously injure Woodson before being forced to retreat. After the attack, Yellow Hawk convinces Blocker to unchain him and his family so they can help with future attacks. The following day, three dead Comanches are discovered, and Blocker correctly deduces that Yellow Hawk and his son Black Hawk snuck out of camp and killed them overnight.
Blocker challenges Yellow Hawk to a knife fight, but he refuses. The group soon comes across the Quaid house and Rosalee's dead husband. Inside the house, they find a traumatized Rosalee and her deceased children. After some convincing, Rosalee agrees to join the company until their next stop-over in Fort Winslow, [[Colorado]]. They are soon ambushed by the Comanche who kill Dejardin and seriously injure Woodson before being forced to retreat. After the attack, Yellow Hawk convinces Blocker to unchain him and his family so they can help with future attacks. The following day, three dead Comanches are discovered, and Blocker correctly deduces that Yellow Hawk and his son Black Hawk snuck out of camp and killed them overnight.


At Fort Winslow, the group drops off the wounded Woodson and Blocker arranges for Rosalee to stay with the fort's commander, but she chooses to remain with the group. Blocker is ordered to bring disgraced sergeant Philip Wills to be hanged for murdering a Native family. Two members of the fort, corporal Thomas and sergeant Malloy, join Blocker's company to oversee Wills, who chastises Blocker and the Natives.
At Fort Winslow, the group drops off the wounded Woodson and Blocker arranges for Rosalee to stay with the fort's commander, but she chooses to remain with the group. Blocker is asked to bring disgraced sergeant Philip Wills to be hanged for having deserted from Fort Pierce and murdered a Native family. Two members of the fort, Cpl. Thomas and Sgt. Malloy, join Blocker's company to oversee Wills, who chastises Blocker and the Natives.


Near camp, Rosalee, the chief's daughter Living Woman and Rosalee are abducted and raped by three [[fur trade]]rs. The group hunts down and kills the rapists. Malloy is killed in the fight. The next night, Metz walks into a downpour and begins to express guilt for his past actions against the Natives, leaving Blocker concerned. Meanwhile, Wills feigns illness allowing him to kill Kidder and escape. Metz chases after him against Blocker's orders. The next day, the group finds their bodies with Metz still clutching a gun in his hand following his own apparent [[suicide]]. A devastated Blocker is consoled by Rosalee. They travel farther north as Yellow Hawk's condition continues to deteriorate. Blocker makes peace with the chief for the hardships they have inflicted upon one another over the years.
Near camp, the chief's daughter-in-law Elk Woman and Rosalee are abducted and raped by three [[fur trader]]s. The group hunts down and kills the rapists. Malloy is killed in the fight. The next night, Metz walks into a downpour and begins to express guilt for his past actions against the Natives, leaving Blocker concerned. He asks for mercy for past actions to the natives from Chief Yellow Hawk before returning to his tent. Meanwhile, Wills feigns illness, allowing him to kill Kidder and escape. Blocker is awakened by Wills killing Kidder and wounds Wills as he escapes. Metz chases after him against Blocker's orders. The next day, the group finds their bodies with Metz still clutching a gun in his hand following his own apparent suicide. A devastated Blocker is consoled by Rosalee. They travel farther north as Yellow Hawk's condition continues to deteriorate. Blocker makes peace with the chief for the hardships they have inflicted upon one another over the years.


Yellow Hawk dies just as the group arrives at the tribal lands in Montana, where he is buried. As Blocker and others prepare to leave, a white man and his three ranch hands ride up, declare that they own the land, and order Blocker and the rest of the group to leave with the chief's body. Blocker informs them of the president's orders, only to be threatened at gunpoint. Blocker refuses, and a brutal shootout ensues. Black Hawk, Living Woman, Elk Woman and Corporal Thomas are killed and buried next to the chief.
Yellow Hawk dies just as the group arrives at the tribal lands in Montana, where he is buried. As Blocker and others prepare to leave, a rancher and his three sons ride up, declare that they own the land, and order Blocker and the rest of the group to leave with the chief's body. Blocker informs them of the president's orders, only to be threatened at gunpoint. Blocker refuses, and a brutal shootout ensues. Black Hawk, Living Woman, Elk Woman and Corporal Thomas are killed and buried next to the chief.


Rosalee decides to take Black Hawk's [[orphan]] son, Little Bear, with her to [[Chicago]]. At the train station, the pair thank and bid an emotional farewell to Blocker. He hands Little Bear a gift: a book about [[Julius Caesar]]. As the train departs, Blocker decides to jump aboard.
Rosalee decides to take Black Hawk's orphan son, Little Bear, with her to [[Chicago]]. At the train station, the pair thank and bid an emotional farewell to Blocker. He hands Little Bear a gift: a book about [[Julius Caesar]]. As the train departs, Blocker decides to step aboard.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
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* [[Jesse Plemons]] as Lt. Rudy Kidder, a fresh West Point graduate, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
* [[Jesse Plemons]] as Lt. Rudy Kidder, a fresh West Point graduate, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
* [[Adam Beach]] as Black Hawk, Yellow Hawk's son and Elk Woman's husband.
* [[Adam Beach]] as Black Hawk, Yellow Hawk's son and Elk Woman's husband.
* [[Rory Cochrane]] as 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz, a war-weary veteran who is among Blocker's oldest friends, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk Home.
* [[Rory Cochrane]] as 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz, a Confederate veteran that is now in the United States Cavalry. He is war-weary and is among Blocker's oldest friends, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk Home.
* [[Peter Mullan]] as Lt. Col. Ross McCowan, commander of Fort Winslow, Colorado.
* [[Peter Mullan]] as Lt. Col. Ross McCowan, commander of Fort Winslow, Colorado.
* [[Scott Wilson (actor)|Scott Wilson]] as Cyrus Lounde, the owner of Yellow Hawk's ancestral land. This marked the final film appearance of Wilson before his death in 2018.
* [[Scott Wilson (actor)|Scott Wilson]] as Cyrus Lounde, the owner of Yellow Hawk's ancestral land. This marked the final film appearance of Wilson before his death in 2018.
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* [[Ben Foster (actor)|Ben Foster]] as Sgt. Philip Wills, a criminal soldier whom Blocker is charged with escorting to his hanging.
* [[Ben Foster (actor)|Ben Foster]] as Sgt. Philip Wills, a criminal soldier whom Blocker is charged with escorting to his hanging.
* [[Jonathan Majors]] as Cpl. Henry Woodson, a black soldier who served under Blocker for many years, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
* [[Jonathan Majors]] as Cpl. Henry Woodson, a black soldier who served under Blocker for many years, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
* [[John Benjamin Hickey]] as Cpt. Royce Tolan, a soldier stationed at Fort Berringer alongside Blocker.
* [[John Benjamin Hickey]] as Cpt. Royce Tolan, Fort Berringer's resident military surgeon.
* [[Q'orianka Kilcher]] as Elk Woman, Black Hawk's wife.
* [[Q'orianka Kilcher]] as Elk Woman, Black Hawk's wife.
* [[Tanaya Beatty]] as Living Woman, Yellow Hawk's daughter.
* [[Tanaya Beatty]] as Living Woman, Yellow Hawk's daughter.
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* [[Robyn Malcolm]] as Minnie McCowan, Col. McCowan's wife.
* [[Robyn Malcolm]] as Minnie McCowan, Col. McCowan's wife.
* Xavier Horsechief as Little Bear, the young son of Black Hawk and Elk Woman.
* Xavier Horsechief as Little Bear, the young son of Black Hawk and Elk Woman.
* [[Luce Rains]] as Virgil Lounde, one of the sons of Cyrus Lounde
* Brian Duffy as Silas Lounde, one of the sons of Cyrus Lounde
* Richard Bucher as Ezekiel Lounde, one of the sons of Cyrus Lounde


== Production ==
== Production ==
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===Critical response===
===Critical response===
On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 71% based on 225 reviews, with a [[Weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] of 6.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "''Hostiles'' benefits from stunning visuals and a solid central performance from Christian Bale, both of which help elevate its uneven story."<ref>{{cite web|title=Hostiles (2017) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hostiles/|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |access-date=May 3, 2020}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted average]] score of 65 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/hostiles|title=Hostiles Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while [[PostTrak]] reported filmgoers gave it an overall 72% positive score.<ref name=opening/>
On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 70% based on 228 reviews, with a [[Weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] of 6.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "''Hostiles'' benefits from stunning visuals and a solid central performance from Christian Bale, both of which help elevate its uneven story."<ref>{{cite web |title=Hostiles (2017) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hostiles/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]]}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted average]] score of 65 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/hostiles|title=Hostiles Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while [[PostTrak]] reported filmgoers gave it an overall 72% positive score.<ref name=opening/>


Following its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, Sasha Stone of ''[[TheWrap]],'' wrote of the audiences' reaction to the film, saying, "Riveted by the glorious storytelling of ''Hostiles'', a few Telluride audience members burst into spontaneous applause as it built to its conclusion".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/p1701678/|title='Hostiles' Review: Christian Bale Drives a Great American Western|date=September 3, 2017|publisher=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref> [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote praise of the film and of the performance of Christian Bale, concluding that the film is an "estimable piece of work grounded by a fine-grain sensibility and an expertly judged lead performance".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/hostiles-review-1032266|title='Hostiles': Film Review - Telluride 2017|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref>
Following its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, Sasha Stone of ''[[TheWrap]],'' wrote of the audiences' reaction to the film, saying, "Riveted by the glorious storytelling of ''Hostiles'', a few Telluride audience members burst into spontaneous applause as it built to its conclusion".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/p1701678/|title='Hostiles' Review: Christian Bale Drives a Great American Western|date=September 3, 2017|publisher=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref> [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote praise of the film and of the performance of Christian Bale, concluding that the film is an "estimable piece of work grounded by a fine-grain sensibility and an expertly judged lead performance".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/hostiles-review-1032266|title='Hostiles': Film Review - Telluride 2017|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 3, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref>


Most of the criticism of the movie was aimed at its writer/director, Scott Cooper. William Bibbiani of IGN said that Cooper wasted the talent of its actors and cinematographer in a "by-the-numbers storyline with a rather obvious message about how it's harder to be despicable to people after you get to know them". He went on to say, "Scott Cooper directs ''Hostiles'' with an eye for 'greatness' but the actual material simply isn't deep enough to justify the solemn presentation. It's not entertaining, it's not illuminating, it's not even complicated. It's mostly just a bummer".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/21/hostiles-review|title=Hostiles|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=December 21, 2017}}</ref>
William Bibbiani of IGN said that writer/director, Scott Cooper wasted the talent of its actors and cinematographer in a "by-the-numbers storyline with a rather obvious message about how it's harder to be despicable to people after you get to know them". He went on to say, "Scott Cooper directs ''Hostiles'' with an eye for 'greatness' but the actual material simply isn't deep enough to justify the solemn presentation. It's not entertaining, it's not illuminating, it's not even complicated. It's mostly just a bummer".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/21/hostiles-review|title=Hostiles|work=[[IGN]]|date=December 21, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017}}</ref>


The [[National Congress of American Indians]] (NCAI) lauded ''Hostiles'' for its "authentic representation of Native Peoples" and accurate rendition of Native American languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/culture/arts-entertainment/hostiles-movie-starring-wes-studi-christian-bale-will-screen-dc/|title='Hostiles' Movie Starring Wes Studi, Christian Bale Will Screen in DC|last=Schilling|first=Vincent|date=2018-01-08|website=[[Indian Country Media Network]]|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-21}}</ref>
The [[National Congress of American Indians]] (NCAI) lauded ''Hostiles'' for its "authentic representation of Native Peoples" and accurate rendition of Native American languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/culture/arts-entertainment/hostiles-movie-starring-wes-studi-christian-bale-will-screen-dc/|title='Hostiles' Movie Starring Wes Studi, Christian Bale Will Screen in DC|last=Schilling|first=Vincent|date=2018-01-08|website=[[Indian Country Media Network]]|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-21}}</ref>


Writing in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', David Sims was critical of the "harsh and uncompromising" tone of the "classic revisionist western", describing the opening scenes as "gory, tough to watch, and short on dialogue, with Cooper intent on showing a world severely lacking in empathy."<ref>{{cite news | last =Sims | first =David | title =Hostiles Is a Brutal, Shallow Western: Scott Cooper’s new film sees Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Wes Studi battling through the American West in the 1890s.| newspaper =[[The Atlantic]] | date =January 19, 2018 | url =https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/hostiles-scott-cooper-review/550862/ | access-date =April 28, 2020 }}</ref>
Writing in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', David Sims noted the film's "majestic photography", calling it "a handsome-looking western", but faulted the script for "seem[ing] less interested in character development" and was critical of the "harsh and uncompromising" tone of the film, describing its opening scenes as "gory, tough to watch, and short on dialogue, with Cooper intent on showing a world severely lacking in empathy."<ref>{{cite news | last =Sims | first =David | title =Hostiles Is a Brutal, Shallow Western: Scott Cooper's new film sees Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Wes Studi battling through the American West in the 1890s.| newspaper =[[The Atlantic]] | date =January 19, 2018 | url =https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/hostiles-scott-cooper-review/550862/ | access-date =April 28, 2020 }}</ref>

[[Jesse Wente]] was director of film programmes for TIFF and believed Hostiles was deeply racist and asked TIFF not to show it. After TIFF went ahead with it, Wente resigned.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-journalist-jesse-wente-has-spent-a-lifetime-being-uncomfortable-join/ | title=Journalist Jesse Wente has spent a lifetime being uncomfortable. Join him, won't you? | newspaper=The Globe and Mail | date=September 18, 2021 }}</ref>


===Accolades===
===Accolades===
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| ''Hostiles''
| ''Hostiles''
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|title='Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/saturn-awards-winners-black-panther-blade-runner-2049-shape-of-water-get-out-1202418606/|title='Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score |work = [[Saturn awards]]|date = June 27, 2018|access-date = June 27, 2018}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|title='Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref><br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/saturn-awards-winners-black-panther-blade-runner-2049-shape-of-water-get-out-1202418606/|title='Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score |work = [[Saturn awards]]|date = June 27, 2018|access-date = June 27, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|5478478|Hostiles}}
* {{IMDb title|5478478|Hostiles}}
* {{Allmovie title|654224|Hostiles}}
* {{AllMovie title|654224|Hostiles}}
* {{mojo title|Hostiles}}
* {{mojo title|Hostiles}}
* {{tcmdb title|2132273|Hostiles}}
* {{TCMDb title|2132273|Hostiles}}


{{Scott Cooper}}
{{Scott Cooper}}


[[Category:2017 films]]
[[Category:2017 films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:2017 drama films]]
[[Category:2017 Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:2017 Western (genre) films]]
⚫
[[Category:2010s American films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s historical drama films]]
[[Category:American historical drama films]]
[[Category:American Indian Wars films]]
[[Category:American Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:American Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:Cheyenne-language films]]
[[Category:Allen Media Group films]]
[[Category:Films about the United States Army]]
[[Category:Films set in 1892]]
[[Category:Films set in Colorado]]
[[Category:Films set in Montana]]
[[Category:Films set in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Films set in the American frontier]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Films directed by Scott Cooper]]
[[Category:Films directed by Scott Cooper]]
[[Category:Films scored by Max Richter]]
[[Category:Films scored by Max Richter]]
[[Category:Films set in 1892]]
[[Category:Films produced by John Lesher (producer)]]
[[Category:Entertainment Studios films]]
[[Category:Cheyenne in popular culture]]
[[Category:Cheyenne-language films]]
[[Category:Comanche in popular culture]]
[[Category:2017 drama films]]
[[Category:English-language Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
[[Category:English-language historical drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]

Revision as of 22:42, 9 December 2024

Hostiles
Theatrical release poster
Directed byScott Cooper
Screenplay byScott Cooper
Story byDonald E. Stewart
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMasanobu Takayanagi
Edited byTom Cross
Music byMax Richter
Production
companies
  • Waypoint Entertainment
  • Le Grisbi Productions
  • Bloom Media
Distributed byEntertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates
  • September 2, 2017 (2017-09-02) (Telluride)
  • December 22, 2017 (2017-12-22) (United States)
Running time
133 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
Languages
Budget$39 million[2][3][4]
Box office$35.7 million[5]

Hostiles is a 2017 American western drama film written and directed by Scott Cooper, based on a story by Donald E. Stewart. It stars Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, Ben Foster, Stephen Lang, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, Adam Beach, Q'orianka Kilcher, Jonathan Majors, and Timothée Chalamet appear in supporting roles. It follows a U.S. Army cavalry officer in 1892 who must escort a Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their home in Montana.

The film had its world premiere on September 2, 2017, at the Telluride Film Festival. It had a limited release in the United States by Entertainment Studios beginning December 22, 2017, before going wide on January 26, 2018. It received generally positive reviews from critics, but grossed just $35 million worldwide.

Plot

In the New Mexico Territory in 1892, settler Rosalee Quaid and her family are attacked by a Comanche war group who kill her husband and three children. Rosalee escapes by hiding under a rock outcrop.

At Fort Berringer, soon-to-retire U.S. Army captain Joseph Blocker is ordered by President Harrison to escort the cancer-stricken Cheyenne war chief Yellow Hawk and four members of his family back to their tribal lands in Montana. Blocker initially refuses as he and Yellow Hawk are old enemies from the Great Sioux War of 1876, but accepts under the threat of court-martial and loss of his pension. Blocker sets out for Montana accompanied by his old friend 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz, long-time aide Cpl. Woodson, West Point newcomer Lt. Kidder, and a young private named Dejardin.

Blocker challenges Yellow Hawk to a knife fight, but he refuses. The group soon comes across the Quaid house and Rosalee's dead husband. Inside the house, they find a traumatized Rosalee and her deceased children. After some convincing, Rosalee agrees to join the company until their next stop-over in Fort Winslow, Colorado. They are soon ambushed by the Comanche who kill Dejardin and seriously injure Woodson before being forced to retreat. After the attack, Yellow Hawk convinces Blocker to unchain him and his family so they can help with future attacks. The following day, three dead Comanches are discovered, and Blocker correctly deduces that Yellow Hawk and his son Black Hawk snuck out of camp and killed them overnight.

At Fort Winslow, the group drops off the wounded Woodson and Blocker arranges for Rosalee to stay with the fort's commander, but she chooses to remain with the group. Blocker is asked to bring disgraced sergeant Philip Wills to be hanged for having deserted from Fort Pierce and murdered a Native family. Two members of the fort, Cpl. Thomas and Sgt. Malloy, join Blocker's company to oversee Wills, who chastises Blocker and the Natives.

Near camp, the chief's daughter-in-law Elk Woman and Rosalee are abducted and raped by three fur traders. The group hunts down and kills the rapists. Malloy is killed in the fight. The next night, Metz walks into a downpour and begins to express guilt for his past actions against the Natives, leaving Blocker concerned. He asks for mercy for past actions to the natives from Chief Yellow Hawk before returning to his tent. Meanwhile, Wills feigns illness, allowing him to kill Kidder and escape. Blocker is awakened by Wills killing Kidder and wounds Wills as he escapes. Metz chases after him against Blocker's orders. The next day, the group finds their bodies with Metz still clutching a gun in his hand following his own apparent suicide. A devastated Blocker is consoled by Rosalee. They travel farther north as Yellow Hawk's condition continues to deteriorate. Blocker makes peace with the chief for the hardships they have inflicted upon one another over the years.

Yellow Hawk dies just as the group arrives at the tribal lands in Montana, where he is buried. As Blocker and others prepare to leave, a rancher and his three sons ride up, declare that they own the land, and order Blocker and the rest of the group to leave with the chief's body. Blocker informs them of the president's orders, only to be threatened at gunpoint. Blocker refuses, and a brutal shootout ensues. Black Hawk, Living Woman, Elk Woman and Corporal Thomas are killed and buried next to the chief.

Rosalee decides to take Black Hawk's orphan son, Little Bear, with her to Chicago. At the train station, the pair thank and bid an emotional farewell to Blocker. He hands Little Bear a gift: a book about Julius Caesar. As the train departs, Blocker decides to step aboard.

Cast

  • Christian Bale as Capt. Joseph J. Blocker, a veteran of the Indian Wars.
  • Rosamund Pike as Rosalee Quaid, a widow who joins Blocker's detail after the murder of her family by Comanches.
  • Wes Studi as Chief Yellow Hawk, an imprisoned and sickly Cheyenne leader being taken home to die, and the father of Black Hawk and Living Woman.
  • Jesse Plemons as Lt. Rudy Kidder, a fresh West Point graduate, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
  • Adam Beach as Black Hawk, Yellow Hawk's son and Elk Woman's husband.
  • Rory Cochrane as 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz, a Confederate veteran that is now in the United States Cavalry. He is war-weary and is among Blocker's oldest friends, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk Home.
  • Peter Mullan as Lt. Col. Ross McCowan, commander of Fort Winslow, Colorado.
  • Scott Wilson as Cyrus Lounde, the owner of Yellow Hawk's ancestral land. This marked the final film appearance of Wilson before his death in 2018.
  • Paul Anderson as Cpl. Tommy Thomas, a British-born soldier from Fort Winslow escorting Wills to his hanging.
  • Timothée Chalamet as Pvt. Philippe Dejardin, the youngest member of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
  • Ben Foster as Sgt. Philip Wills, a criminal soldier whom Blocker is charged with escorting to his hanging.
  • Jonathan Majors as Cpl. Henry Woodson, a black soldier who served under Blocker for many years, part of the detail to escort Yellow Hawk home.
  • John Benjamin Hickey as Cpt. Royce Tolan, Fort Berringer's resident military surgeon.
  • Q'orianka Kilcher as Elk Woman, Black Hawk's wife.
  • Tanaya Beatty as Living Woman, Yellow Hawk's daughter.
  • Stephen Lang as Col. Abraham Biggs, Blocker's commanding officer
  • Bill Camp as Jeremiah Wilks, frontier correspondent for Harper's Weekly.
  • Scott Shepherd as Wesley Quaid, Rosalee's slaughtered husband.
  • Ryan Bingham as Sgt. Malloy, a soldier from Fort Winslow escorting Wills to his hanging.
  • Robyn Malcolm as Minnie McCowan, Col. McCowan's wife.
  • Xavier Horsechief as Little Bear, the young son of Black Hawk and Elk Woman.
  • Luce Rains as Virgil Lounde, one of the sons of Cyrus Lounde
  • Brian Duffy as Silas Lounde, one of the sons of Cyrus Lounde
  • Richard Bucher as Ezekiel Lounde, one of the sons of Cyrus Lounde

Production

The project was announced in February 2016 with Scott Cooper as director and Christian Bale starring.[6] In March, Rosamund Pike was cast, and a production start date of July was announced.[7] In April, Jesse Plemons was cast.[8] Wes Studi and Adam Beach were signed in June.[9] In mid-July, Timothée Chalamet joined the cast.[10]

Filming began late July in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Ben Foster was added to the cast at the beginning of filming. Ryan Bingham, who also stars in the film, wrote and performed "How Shall A Sparrow Fly" for the soundtrack. Max Richter composed the score for the film, which was released by Deutsche Grammophon.[11]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2017.[12] It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2017.[13] Shortly after, Entertainment Studios acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[14] It was released in a limited release in the United States on December 22, 2017, before expanding wide a month later.

Reception

Box office

Hostiles grossed $29.8 million in the United States and Canada, and $5.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $35.5 million.[5]

In the United States and Canada, following several weeks in a limited run where it grossed $1.8 million, Hostiles had its wide expansion alongside the release of Maze Runner: The Death Cure, and was expected to gross around $10 million from 2,813 theaters over the weekend.[15] It ended up opening to $10.1 million, finishing third behind The Death Cure ($24.2 million) and holdover Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($16.1 million).[3] In its second weekend the film dropped 49.5% to $5.1 million, finishing fifth at the box office.[16]

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 70% based on 228 reviews, with a weighted average of 6.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Hostiles benefits from stunning visuals and a solid central performance from Christian Bale, both of which help elevate its uneven story."[17] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it an overall 72% positive score.[3]

Following its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, Sasha Stone of TheWrap, wrote of the audiences' reaction to the film, saying, "Riveted by the glorious storytelling of Hostiles, a few Telluride audience members burst into spontaneous applause as it built to its conclusion".[19] Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter wrote praise of the film and of the performance of Christian Bale, concluding that the film is an "estimable piece of work grounded by a fine-grain sensibility and an expertly judged lead performance".[20]

William Bibbiani of IGN said that writer/director, Scott Cooper wasted the talent of its actors and cinematographer in a "by-the-numbers storyline with a rather obvious message about how it's harder to be despicable to people after you get to know them". He went on to say, "Scott Cooper directs Hostiles with an eye for 'greatness' but the actual material simply isn't deep enough to justify the solemn presentation. It's not entertaining, it's not illuminating, it's not even complicated. It's mostly just a bummer".[21]

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) lauded Hostiles for its "authentic representation of Native Peoples" and accurate rendition of Native American languages.[22]

Writing in The Atlantic, David Sims noted the film's "majestic photography", calling it "a handsome-looking western", but faulted the script for "seem[ing] less interested in character development" and was critical of the "harsh and uncompromising" tone of the film, describing its opening scenes as "gory, tough to watch, and short on dialogue, with Cooper intent on showing a world severely lacking in empathy."[23]

Jesse Wente was director of film programmes for TIFF and believed Hostiles was deeply racist and asked TIFF not to show it. After TIFF went ahead with it, Wente resigned.[24]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
San Diego Film Critics Society December 11, 2017 Best Costume Design Jenny Eagan Nominated [25]
Saturn Awards June 27, 2018 Best Action or Adventure Film Hostiles Nominated [26]
[27]
Best Actress Rosamund Pike Nominated

References

  1. ^ "HOSTILES (15)". British Board of Film Classification. May 15, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  2. ^ Keegan, Rebecca (January 11, 2018). "Can Scott Cooper's Winning Western Wrangle an Oscar Nod?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 28, 2018). "Fox Controls Close To 40% Of Weekend B.O. Led By 'Maze Runner' & Oscar Holdovers; 'Hostiles' Gallops Past $10M". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  4. ^ Tatiana Siegel; Ashley Lee (October 3, 2017). "Christian Bale Drama 'Hostiles' Sells to Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Hostiles (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Jaafar, Ali (February 18, 2016). "Christian Bale To Star In Scott Cooper's 'Hostiles'". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  7. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 9, 2016). "Rosamund Pike To Star With Christian Bale In Scott Cooper-Helmed 'Hostiles'". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 6, 2016). "Jesse Plemons Joins Christian Bale in Scott Cooper's 'Hostiles' (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  9. ^ Busch, Anita (June 14, 2016). "Adam Beach Joins Christian Bale In Scott Cooper's 'Hostiles'". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  10. ^ Ford, Rebecca (July 21, 2016). "'Interstellar' Actor Timothee Chalamet Joins Scott Cooper's 'Hostiles' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  11. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 27, 2016). "Ben Foster Rounds Out Scott Cooper's 'Hostiles' Cast As Shooting Starts". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  12. ^ Hammond, Pete (August 31, 2017). "'Darkest Hour', 'Battle Of The Sexes', 'Lady Bird' Among World Premieres In 2017 Lineup – Telluride Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  13. ^ "Hostiles". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  14. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 3, 2017). "Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Acquires 'Hostiles;' Christian Bale-Starrer Gets Oscar Season Berth". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  15. ^ McClintock, Pamela (January 25, 2018). "Box-Office Preview: 'Maze Runner: The Death Cure' Eyes $20M U.S. Debut". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  16. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 4, 2018). "'Jumanji' Poised To Be Dwayne Johnson's Highest Grossing Pic Of All-Time Stateside After Super Bowl Weekend Rebound". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  17. ^ "Hostiles (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "Hostiles Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  19. ^ "'Hostiles' Review: Christian Bale Drives a Great American Western". TheWrap. September 3, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  20. ^ "'Hostiles': Film Review - Telluride 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. September 3, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  21. ^ "Hostiles". IGN. December 21, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  22. ^ Schilling, Vincent (January 8, 2018). "'Hostiles' Movie Starring Wes Studi, Christian Bale Will Screen in DC". Indian Country Media Network. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  23. ^ Sims, David (January 19, 2018). "Hostiles Is a Brutal, Shallow Western: Scott Cooper's new film sees Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Wes Studi battling through the American West in the 1890s". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  24. ^ "Journalist Jesse Wente has spent a lifetime being uncomfortable. Join him, won't you?". The Globe and Mail. September 18, 2021.
  25. ^ "2017 San Diego Film Critics Society's Award Nominations". San Diego Film Critics Society. December 9, 2017. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  26. ^ "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  27. ^ "'Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score". Saturn awards. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  • Hostiles at IMDb
  • ‹The template AllMovie title is being considered for deletion.› Hostiles at AllMovie
  • Hostiles at Box Office Mojo
  • Hostiles at the TCM Movie Database
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