Justified: The Neo-Western Masterpiece on Hulu with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Hulu now has one of the best neo-Western TV shows ever created, Justified, thanks to a deal made with FX in 2020. Though it doesn’t take place in the traditional Wild West, the story, set in Harlan County, Georgia, is full of trouble thanks to the character Boyd Crowder.

Featuring a standout performance by Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, Justified delivers everything you could hope for in a Western crime series. Givens is a modern-day gunslinger, reminiscent of classic Western heroes, and his long-standing rivalry with the villain, Crowder, dates back to their childhoods.

Often considered one of the greatest Western TV shows ever made, Justified truly earns its impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While shows like Yellowstone and Landman are currently more popular thanks to streaming, they don’t quite measure up to this show’s fresh and modern take on the Western genre.

Justified Deserves All The Praise It Gets

If you’ve watched Justified, you probably already think it’s a brilliant show – and for good reason. From the exciting first encounter between Raylan Givens and a criminal from Miami to the series’ memorable conclusion, this Western is a beautifully made, perfectly timed, and wonderfully acted piece of television. The writing and cinematography are also exceptional.

As a movie lover, watching this felt like settling into a modern Western – it really reminded me of Clint Eastwood’s later films, especially Unforgiven, which is just a masterpiece. But it also clearly took a lot of inspiration from Timothy Olyphant’s incredible work as Seth Bullock in Deadwood. He brought such a captivating energy to that role, and you can definitely see that influence here.

Though older and more thoughtful than his character in Justified, Timothy Olyphant’s Raylan Givens still delivers his own brand of justice. His performance as the U.S. marshal also draws inspiration from classic Western heroes like those portrayed by Clint Eastwood and Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke.

Why Justified Works So Well

The core of the show Justified is a deep and compelling rivalry. It’s more than just a modern take on the classic lawman-versus-outlaw story. Raylan Givens and Boyd Crowder share a surprising number of similarities, but ultimately find themselves battling each other over what’s right and wrong.

As a huge fan of Justified, what always grabbed me was the dynamic between Raylan and Boyd. They even ended up chasing the same woman, though honestly, she deserved better! But really, it was their complicated, love-hate connection – that push and pull – that truly made the show sing, right up to that incredible final line. It was just brilliant.

Are There Other Shows Like Justified?

This show is a unique and gripping drama, unlike anything else on TV. However, if you loved Justified and are looking for similar series, there are a few modern Westerns that explore law enforcement in interesting ways.

If you enjoyed Justified: City Primeval, and shows with similar strong leads, you might also like Longmire, starring Robert Taylor, and AMC’s Dark Winds. Another option is Taylor Sheridan’s new Yellowstone spin-off, Marshals, though it probably won’t reach the same level of quality as Justified.

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2026-02-03 23:28