WFG RATING: A-

Well Go USA Entertainment presents a Bonfire Legend production in association with Renegade Entertainment and Running Wild Films. Directed by Travis Mills. Produced by Lillian Campbell, David Guglielmo, and Travis Mills. Written by Harry Whittington; based on his novel “Desert Stake-Out”. Cinematography by Maxime Alexandre. Edited by Jared Bentley.

Stars Myles Clohessy, Mary Stickley, Eli Brown, Ryan Masson, Armie Hammer, Thomas Jane, and William H. Macy.

A man on a mission discovers many complications as his moral compass is constantly under question in this Western from actor and filmmaker Travis Mills.

Merrick Beckford is a man of honor in 1872 Arizona. He is the only man capable of being asked by Major O’Rourke to deliver a cache of medical supplies through Apache territory. He agrees to do the job and proceeds to head through the land as he is on friendly terms with the tribe. However, what should be a simple mission will soon lead to having complications for him.

He comes across a couple, Jeff and Valerie Butler. Jeff is seriously injured and learning that Merrick has supplies, they ask him to take them to the fort where he is to bring the medical supplies. At first reluctant, Merrick ultimately decides to take them. However, he also comes across three men who have been hunted by the tribe. They are outlaws ‘Mule’ and Billy McKee, a father and son duo; and the ruthless Edmund Fisher. When Billy kills an Apache warrior en route to the fort, Merrick realizes that this will eventually lead to retaliation. Soon, his realization becomes a reality. However, he must do what it takes to bring the supplies to the fort.

The American Western has been making quite the resurgence in the past few years. Whether it is the micro-budget films of Joe Cornet or the indie films of Brian Skiba, this film from genre actor and filmmaker Travis Mills starts out as a slow burn. Then, it gives you a massive punch or in this case, bullet, to the gut as it focuses on a man with morals who experiences complications.

The film marks the return of Armie Hammer after a seven-year hiatus for a certain controversy. And while it make be a head-shaking role in the form of outlaw Edmund Fisher, who attempts to assault our female lead in Mary Strickley’s Virginia, Hammes doles out quite a ruthless performance in the role. On the other side of the spectrum, Myles Clohessy was born to play the Western hero in the role of Merrick Beckford, a man with morals and who has a relationship of sorts with the Apache tribe, a sort of truce between the two if you will.

Thomas Jane also does quite well in his role as fellow outlaw Mule with Ryan Masson as his overactive son Brian, who pulls the trigger on an Apache. It’s not bad enough that Merrick finds himself hauling the supplies through dangerous territory, but he must resist both temptation and the outlaws in order to get the mission done. The final twenty minutes are extremely shocking and expect a twist out of left field that is jaw-dropping if you’re a fan of the genre.

Frontier Crucible is definitely a worthy American Western in today’s era that has it all: a man with a moral compass, a group of insane outlaws causing trouble, and some graphic violence almost in the vein of Bone Tomahawk. Definitely a pretty good comeback for Armie Hammer, an excellent role for Thomas Jane, and the next Western hero in Myles Clohessy.

The film will be released on December 5 in theaters and on Digital.

Pre-Order the film on Apple TV today