American Primeval: A Bloody, Chaotic Portrayal of the American West

In a bid to rival Taylor Sheridan's successful Western shows, Netflix's new series American Primeval presents a gritty and intense depiction of the early American West, following the trials and tribulations of settlers, cultists, and indigenous tribes in 1857 Utah Territory.

Created by Mark L. Smith, who co-wrote The Revenant, American Primeval boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Taylor Kitsch, and is directed by Peter Berg. The six-part miniseries is a visually stunning and brutal portrayal of the American West, with graphic violence and constant conflict. However, the show's heavy-handed approach to storytelling and lack of subtlety make it a challenging watch, with characters feeling more like caricatures than fully fleshed-out personalities.

Despite its ambitions to explore the complexities of American history, American Primeval falls short in its execution, relying on narration and dialogue to convey its message rather than trusting the audience to infer and interpret the story. The show's attempt to showcase the conflicts between different groups, including the U.S. Army, Mormon Militia, and Native Americans, feels shallow and lacks nuance. While the visuals are undeniably impressive, with sweeping shots of the Utah Territory and brutal battle scenes, the repetitive and predictable violence becomes numbing and makes it difficult to become invested in the characters' journeys.

As Netflix attempts to carve out its own space in the Western genre, American Primeval serves as a promising, if flawed, starting point. While it may not yet rival the success of Taylor Sheridan's shows, the series demonstrates a clear commitment to exploring the darker aspects of American history, even if it stumbles in its execution. With its bleak and unflinching portrayal of the American West, American Primeval is sure to spark conversation and debate among viewers.

American Primeval's brutal and chaotic depiction of the American West is marked by graphic violence, shallow character development, and a heavy-handed approach to storytelling, making for a challenging and frustrating watch despite its visually stunning and ambitious portrayal of 1857 Utah Territory.