Taylor Sheridan’s American Frontier Neo-Western Movie Trilogy, Ranked

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It’s hard to pick favorites from Taylor Sheridan’s American Frontier trilogy because they’re all so well-made. Sheridan is becoming incredibly prolific, with even more projects planned – including Marshals and The Madison in 2026 alone. He’s come a long way from his early acting work on shows like Sons of Anarchy.

Taylor Sheridan’s career really took off with a series of three movies he wrote in the 2010s. Though the films don’t share a single story, they all delve into similar ideas and themes. These modern Westerns were all well-received when they came out, and many consider this ‘American Frontier’ trilogy to be Sheridan’s best work.

3. Hell Or High Water (2016)

Some viewers see the film Hell or High Water as a modern take on Heat, leaving audiences conflicted about who to support – the bank robbers or the law enforcement officers trying to catch them. The movie centers on two brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) who resort to robbing banks in a desperate attempt to save their family’s ranch from being taken away.

The film follows two Texas Rangers, played by Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham (from Yellowstone). Writer Taylor Sheridan crafts a story that feels both familiar and fresh, tackling a common idea from a unique perspective. The movie portrays the two brothers with understanding, acknowledging their flaws while still showing the bond they share – they’re not presented as perfect heroes.

The movie Hell or High Water is a captivating road trip story that draws you in with its memorable characters, and then delivers a powerfully sad conclusion. Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim, it often feels overlooked in Taylor Sheridan’s filmography. The film’s ambiguous and impactful ending is a prime example of why it resonates so strongly with viewers, leaving them with complex emotions.

2. Sicario (2015)

Tommy Flanagan, who played Sheridan on Sons of Anarchy, left the show during its third season after being told he wouldn’t receive a raise. This decision led him to pursue writing full-time. He started by writing the pilot episode for Mayor of Kingstown, which gained attention and ultimately led to his first feature film screenplay, Sicario.

The film Sicario centers on Emily Blunt’s character, Kate Macer, an FBI agent who joins an elite team to dismantle a major drug cartel in Mexico. As the operation unfolds, Kate is plunged into a brutal and ethically challenging situation. Widely considered one of the best thrillers of the 21st century, Sicario is the first film in a planned trilogy.

Sheridan’s work portrays a bleak world devoid of heroes or easy solutions, where violence seems destined to repeat itself. The performances from Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, and the lead actor are all outstanding, and director Denis Villeneuve keeps the tension consistently high. The scene involving the border crossing is a prime example of masterful suspense building.

1. Wind River (2017)

Taylor Sheridan’s first time directing was this intense thriller, starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as a wildlife agent and an FBI agent solving a murder on a Native American reservation. Both Sicario and Wind River are excellent films, but Wind River is slightly more impactful because of its deeply emotional story.

The movie was inspired by the high number of attacks on Indigenous women and the lack of justice for those crimes. Wind River also explores common themes found in the director’s American Frontier trilogy, such as the struggles of overlooked communities, the impact of racism, the fight for survival in harsh environments, and the pursuit of revenge.

Wind River is a harsh and sometimes disturbing film, but it’s also deeply human. Jeremy Renner delivers one of his best performances, and the whole cast does a fantastic job bringing Taylor Sheridan’s story to life.

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2026-03-26 20:48