Taylor Sheridan Wrote 2 Of The Best Neo-Westerns Ever Made Just Before Yellowstone Released

In 2018, Taylor Sheridan burst onto the scene with his hit series, Yellowstone, yet some may be surprised to learn that the writer, director, and producer helped make two outstanding neo-Western movies before that. Despite gaining popularity in the late 2010s, Sheridan has been in the entertainment industry since the late 1990s. He has worked as an actor, a screenwriter, a producer, and a director on various projects, from the action hit Sicario to the recent Paramount+ show, Landman. However, some of Sheridan’s most underrated accomplishments, and some of his best works, are his neo-Western movies.

Over the course of his career, Sheridan has worked on eight movies and nine television series. Although he is well-known for his Western stories, he has also delved into other genres such as action, horror, and crime. For example, 2015’s Sicario tells the story of an FBI agent recruited to join a task force against the war on drugs. Meanwhile, his most recent cinematic project, Finestkind, explores the complex relationship between two estranged brothers who find themselves in the midst of a criminal organization. Admittedly, though, these films may not be quite as compelling as Sheridan’s two neo-Westerns.

Hell Or High Water & Wind River Are Two Of The Best Neo-Westerns Ever Made

What Makes Hell Or High Water & Wind River So Good

Two Sheridan movies that you cannot miss are Hell or High Water and Wind River. The former was released in 2016 and follows a single father and his convict brother who carry out a heist in order to save their family ranch. The film stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges. Then, the following year, Sheridan wrote and directed Wind River, which centers on the murder of a woman on a reservation and the investigation carried out by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracker and an FBI agent, played by Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, respectively.

Both Hell or High Water and Wind River are incredible neo-Western films. Hell or High Water boasts a Certified Fresh 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Wind River comes in just a bit lower, at 87%. What sets these films apart from others in the genre is their ability to tell a compelling story that perfectly blends classic Western tropes with modern-day scenarios. Viewers get to see the cowboy’s traditional struggle of good and evil, set in a context that is fresh and relatable. Overall, Sheridan’s writing is unwavering and pierced through with authenticity.

Yellowstone Has Been A Massive Success, But Taylor Sheridan’s Movies Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

What Sheridan Is Working On Next

There is no doubt that Yellowstone is a fantastic series and perfect for Western fans, but even then, Sheridan’s movies may be even better. In just a couple of hours, audiences can see Sheridan’s writing and direction at its finest, wrapped into an entertaining and moving storyline. Whether you have seen Yellowstone or not, Hell or High Water and Wind River are both definitely worth watching. Arguably, these prove more than anything why Sheridan has become a star.

Fortunately, these two films are not the last viewers will see of Sheridan on the big screen. Although he is busy working on several ongoing series like Lioness and Tulsa King, Sheridan also has plans for a film adaptation of the nonfiction book, Empire of the Summer Moon, which follows the years-long conflict between the Comanche Native Americans and white settlers. With this movie, and others, hopefully Taylor Sheridan can prove that his talent goes beyond the small screen.