We all know Taylor Sheridan as the mastermind behind Yellowstone, Sicario, and Hell or High Water. The man has an impressive talent for weaving intricate tales of grit, tension, and drama. However, before he became a household name for creating hit series and movies that defined a new era of Westerns and thrillers, Sheridan dabbled in a completely different genre. Believe it or not, the director and writer of some of the most intense films in recent years had a brief foray into horror. And, according to some, it’s a film that’s best left forgotten.
So, what’s this mysterious horror movie that Taylor Sheridan made before his rise to fame? Why is it considered “awful”? Let’s dive into the tale of Vile, a film that Sheridan wishes had stayed in the past.
Taylor Sheridan’s Vile (2011): A Quick Overview
In 2011, Sheridan wrote and directed a low-budget horror movie titled Vile. It didn’t exactly set the world on fire, and, as you’ll see, the film is often dismissed as a misguided attempt at horror filmmaking. The movie centers around a group of people who are captured and subjected to a horrifying experience in which their pain is harvested as a form of emotional currency.
The plot is as grim as it sounds. The characters are held hostage in a creepy, industrial facility, where they are tortured in various ways. The movie’s premise revolves around the idea of how far people are willing to go when their pain becomes a form of commodity. As you can probably tell, Vile doesn’t exactly scream “masterpiece.” It’s a crude and grotesque offering that’s far from the impactful storytelling we’ve come to expect from Sheridan.
Why does Vile fail to live up to expectations? Well, let’s break it down.
The Plot: A Torture-Porn Experiment Gone Wrong
To give you an idea of what Vile is about, here’s the basic plotline: A group of strangers wake up in a strange, locked-down facility with no memory of how they got there. The facility is controlled by faceless captors who force the group to endure extreme physical and psychological torture. The twist? The pain they endure is extracted from them, measured, and ultimately used as a “currency” that the captors use for unknown purposes.
The concept of extracting pain from people as a form of “currency” sounds like it could be the basis for a psychological horror film. The characters are forced into unbearable situations, making them question their morals and what they would do to survive. But, instead of being a deep exploration of the human psyche, Vile takes the easy route and becomes a typical torture-porn film with graphic violence and limited character development.
While the premise could have been an interesting commentary on human suffering and survival, the execution falls short. The violence becomes repetitive, the characters lack depth, and the stakes never truly feel high. What could have been a nuanced exploration of the darker aspects of human nature ends up feeling like a cheap attempt at shock value.
The Reception: Why It’s Considered “Awful”
When Vile was released, it didn’t take long for critics and horror fans to label it a failure. Many were left disappointed by its lack of substance and reliance on gore for shock factor.
Here’s what critics had to say:
- Poor Character Development: One of the main criticisms of the film is that the characters are flat and one-dimensional. The movie doesn’t take the time to build relationships between the protagonists, so when they’re put through torment, it’s hard to feel anything for them. Horror films often succeed when they give viewers characters they care about. Unfortunately, Vile misses the mark here.
- Cliché and Repetitive Violence: The film quickly descends into a cycle of “torture scenes” that feel repetitive and, quite frankly, unnecessary. Sure, horror fans expect to see a certain amount of violence, but without a compelling reason behind it, it just feels like an attempt to shock for shock’s sake.
- Lack of Depth: The underlying themes of the film—what it means to be human, what we’re willing to sacrifice for survival, and the commodification of pain—are all ideas that could have been explored in a deep and thought-provoking way. But the movie is more focused on blood and brutality than it is on providing any meaningful commentary. Sheridan, who would later be known for his sharp dialogue and emotionally complex stories, doesn’t showcase any of those talents here.
- The Film’s Overall Tone: One of the biggest complaints about Vile is that it lacks any real emotional connection. Instead of using tension, atmosphere, and psychological horror to build fear, the movie relies on gross-out moments and disturbing visuals. For many, this left the film feeling more like a grindhouse horror movie than a truly scary experience.
How Vile Compares to Sheridan’s Later Success
Now, fast forward to Sheridan’s later works—Yellowstone, Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River. These films and shows are known for their strong, complex characters, beautifully crafted plots, and thought-provoking themes. Sheridan’s ability to explore moral ambiguity, human resilience, and the gritty realities of life in modern America is what has made him one of Hollywood’s hottest writers and directors.
When you look at Vile in comparison to his later work, it’s hard to believe it came from the same mind. The Yellowstone creator’s ability to create compelling, multifaceted characters and build a rich, immersive world seems light-years ahead of what’s seen in Vile. Even Sicario, which deals with the brutal world of drug cartels, manages to inject deep human emotion into the story, something Vile desperately lacks.
While some directors take time to find their voice, Sheridan’s transition from Vile to his successful films is remarkable. He clearly learned from his earlier missteps, perfecting his craft and honing in on what truly works in storytelling. But Vile remains a reminder of how a filmmaker can stumble early on before finding their true calling.
The Legacy of Vile: A Forgotten Experiment
So, is Vile a film that should be completely forgotten? Well, maybe not entirely. For Sheridan fans, it’s a fascinating piece of cinematic history. It offers a glimpse into his early career and shows that even the best directors have their misfires. The movie also serves as a reminder that not every film has to be a success to teach its creator valuable lessons.
While it’s unlikely that Vile will ever become a cult classic or a must-watch in the horror genre, it remains an interesting footnote in Sheridan’s career. The movie wasn’t a hit, but it’s part of his evolution as a filmmaker—a journey that led him to create some of the most compelling stories in Hollywood today.
Conclusion: A Forgotten Horror, A Bright Future
In the end, Taylor Sheridan’s Vile is a movie that’s best left in the past. It’s an attempt at horror that doesn’t quite hit the mark, and while some may find value in its shock factor, it ultimately fails to deliver on its potential. But for Sheridan, it was an important step in his creative journey, one that helped him refine his skills and push forward into the world of successful dramas and thrillers that we know today.
So, if you’re a fan of Sheridan’s later works, don’t expect Vile to be anywhere near the same league. It’s a film you’ll probably want to skip, but it’s also a reminder that even the most talented filmmakers have their missteps along the way.
