Hostiles

The year is 1892, and the Indian Wars are dying down. Captain Joseph J Blocker (Christian Bale), a U.S. army officer close to retirement, is ordered to release and escort one of his enemies, a Cheyenne chief, Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) home, so they can die on their ancestral lands. An embittered Blocker, who has made a career from the ruthlessness and brutality towards Cheyenne, has nothing but hatred toward them, but is determined to follow his orders.

On route, they find Rosalie Quaid (Rosamund Pike) in the ashes of her family’s home, digging graves with her bare hands. Unwilling to leave her like this, Blocker plans to take her to safety, but their journey is a long and gruelling one, beset by many dangers along the way...

The cast is accomplished, though Wes Studi stands out, with captivating gravitas in his role as a warrior on his last journey. The action scenes are powerfully and vividly shot, though what is most captivating is the cinematography. The raw and desolate beauty is given plenty of screen time, and expertly mirrored by the mournful score.

Gail Marshall