Top 10 Action Scenes in Neo-Western Movies: From No Country For Old Men To Desperado

Neo-Westerns are a modern take on classic Westerns, swapping out six-shooters for more contemporary weapons like assault rifles. Westerns were hugely popular during Hollywood’s peak years, offering exciting action from fast-paced gunfights to large-scale battles. However, as tastes changed and films like Star Wars rose in popularity, the Western genre began to decline.

Even today, many popular movies and TV shows are heavily influenced by classic Westerns. In fact, everything from Taylor Sheridan’s series can be seen as a modern take on the Western. These new Westerns, often called Neo-Westerns, take the familiar themes and storylines of the genre and set them in the present day.

Neo-Westerns are a mixed bag – some, like No Country for Old Men, are critically acclaimed, while others, such as Ari Aster’s Eddington, don’t quite land. But one thing most of these films share with classic Westerns is exciting action, which is often a standout feature.

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) – The Airplane Graveyard Shootout

Among the more unusual films here is Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, a funny Western that teams up Don Johnson and Mickey Rourke. The story follows two contemporary cowboys who accidentally rob the wrong people and end up having to stop a group of heavily armored hitmen.

The climactic battle happens at a stunning airplane graveyard in Arizona. Johnson, playing the Marlboro Man, and Rourke’s character, Harley (who isn’t very good with a gun), set an ambush for the group of Terminator-like figures. While the situation feels a bit like something from a video game, the gunfight is a well-balanced mix of suspense and humor.

Near Dark (1987) – The Motel Firefight

As a film buff, I’m always excited to revisit Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark. It’s a really unique movie – it expertly mixes horror, the feel of a road trip flick, and even elements of a classic Western. The story centers around a group of vampires, but they aren’t the romanticized kind; they’re more like modern-day outlaws roaming the desert and hunting for their next meal. There’s this incredibly tense scene where they brutally attack a bar full of people, and eventually, one survivor manages to alert the police, leading them straight to the vampires’ hideout.

Trapped in a small room and unable to escape due to the sunlight, the vampires attempt to shoot their way out. However, each bullet fired creates more openings for daylight to enter, and director Kathryn Bigelow films this sequence with a palpable sense of urgency. Though leaning more towards horror than action, this scene from Near Dark remains one of Bigelow’s best achievements.

The Last Stand (2013) – The Last Stand

The Last Stand is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s take on the classic film Rio Bravo, featuring him as a sheriff protecting his town from a drug lord’s hitmen. It marked Schwarzenegger’s return to acting after his time in politics, and though the movie is generally unremarkable, it finishes with an exciting and large-scale gunfight between the sheriff’s team and a group of mercenaries.

Kim Jee-woon, the director of A Bittersweet Life, skillfully develops each character and keeps the film dynamic with a variety of action sequences, like a classic duel and a thrilling car chase. Although The Last Stand isn’t a masterpiece, the lead-up to that scene definitely paid off.

Assault On Precinct 13 (1976) – Holding Off The Gang

Similar to The Last Stand, Assault on Precinct 13 is inspired by Rio Bravo, a film John Carpenter particularly loved. Carpenter reimagines the story, setting it in a nearly empty police station under siege by a strangely powerful street gang. A small group of police officers and criminals must then work together to make it through the night.

The heroes share a strong moment while defending the station from a relentless attack, firing upon wave after wave of enemies through the windows of precinct 13. While the scene isn’t overly complex, John Carpenter’s music and skillful editing give it a sharp, impactful energy – it’s far more effective than any action sequence in the 2005 remake.

Wind River (2017) – The Drill Site Ambush

The intense shootout in Wind River is arguably Taylor Sheridan’s most frightening scene. It depicts FBI agent Jane Banner, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and her fellow officers being unexpectedly attacked by a hostile security team. The situation begins with a strained standoff, which quickly erupts into chaotic gunfire as both sides desperately try to gain the upper hand.

Sheridan directs this scene in the Wind River wilderness with a raw, unadorned style. He avoids flashy camera techniques and editing, which puts the audience right in the heart of the intense action. The result is both exciting and frightening, culminating in a heroic moment for Jeremy Renner’s character, wildlife officer Lambert.

The Getaway (1972) – The Hotel Gunfight

Sam Peckinpah revolutionized movie violence with the climax of The Wild Bunch, and his film The Getaway is just as impactful. This exciting thriller features Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw as a married couple of criminals attempting to escape to Mexico after a robbery turns violent.

The climax of The Getaway sees the characters cornered by both the police and rival groups. In a signature move, director Peckinpah uses slow motion as McQueen’s character, Doc, unleashes a shotgun blast, creating a scene that feels like a classic Western shootout despite being set in the 1970s.

Extreme Prejudice (1987) – The Zombie Unit’s Final Stand

Walter Hill often makes films that feel like Westerns, even when they aren’t set in the Old West – you can see this in movies like 48 Hrs and Red Heat. Extreme Prejudice is essentially his version of The Wild Bunch, and it tells two interwoven stories. We follow Nick Nolte as a tough Texas Ranger hunting Bailey, a former friend who’s now a drug kingpin, while simultaneously, a secret military team – made up of soldiers presumed dead – is also after Bailey.

The climax of Extreme Prejudice is a brutal and intense showdown where the elite Zombie Unit confronts Bailey’s private army at his estate. It’s a violent battle, with Nolte’s character, Benteen, struggling to survive as members of the Zombie Unit fall. The scene is remarkably bloody, with a death toll comparable to the famous finale of The Wild Bunch.

The Way Of The Gun (2000) – Parker And Longbaugh Vs The Bagmen

Christopher McQuarrie, who would later direct Mission: Impossible films, started his directing career with this gritty, modern Western. The movie stars Benicio del Toro and Ryan Phillippe as a pair of criminals who kidnap the pregnant surrogate mother of a mobster. After a lot of philosophical talk, the film ends with the two men fighting off the mafia’s enforcers.

McQ directs with confidence, making the action sequences both exciting and funny. While there are intense moments – like when Phillipe’s character crashes through glass – the film is also filled with humor, such as the characters comically reloading their weapons again and again. This film especially showed McQuarrie’s talent for creating original and engaging action scenes.

Desperado (1995) – The Bar Shootout

After the success of his low-budget film El Mariachi, Robert Rodriguez made Desperado, a larger-scale action movie that continued the story. Desperado also launched Antonio Banderas to stardom, featuring him as the guitar-playing hero who seeks revenge and carries weapons in his guitar case. Early in the film, Banderas’ character confronts a group of dangerous criminals in a bar.

Heavily inspired by John Woo’s style, the gunfight in Desperado is a stunning showcase of director Robert Rodriguez’s skills. It’s packed with inventive moments – like El using a fan as a weapon – and the characters frequently reloading their guns keeps the scene exciting and tense.

No Country For Old Men (2007) – The Hotel Escape

Though known for their quirky films, the Coen Brothers came closest to making a traditional action movie with No Country for Old Men, and they absolutely nailed it. The film blends Neo-Western and thriller elements with bursts of intense action, most notably when Moss (Josh Brolin) desperately flees a hotel, relentlessly pursued by the terrifying Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem).

The Coen brothers expertly build tension as Chigurh methodically approaches the hotel, eventually leading to a gunfight with Moss. The scene is brilliantly crafted, both visually and with its sound, making each gunshot feel incredibly powerful. It’s arguably the most impressive action sequence the Coens have ever filmed, which is saying something considering their history of strong action scenes.

2025-10-21 23:51