• Action
• Comedy
• Crime

Americana 2023

Americana premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival on March 17, 2023. After a significant delay, it finally hit U.S. theaters on August 15 (or 22), 2025. Set in a small South Dakota town, the film revolves around a Lakota "Ghost Shirt", a sacred Native American artifact that enters the black market. The story weaves together multiple characters—each an outsider or outcast—vying for the artifact for reasons ranging from financial gain to cultural restitution .🎭 Critics Positive Highlights: Metacritic currently shows a Metascore of 85, based on 4 critic reviews—all positive. Praise includes “charming, gritty, and all‑round entertaining” (IndieWire), and commendations for strong writing, comedic timing, and voice to underrepresented characters in the Western genre. Rotten Tomatoes (early data) also reflects favorable reviews, noting the ensemble’s energy and genre subversion.Mixed to Negative Reviews: SF Chronicle reviewer Mick LaSalle found the tone awkward and the direction amateurish, though Sydney Sweeney and Paul Walter Hauser were praised for nuanced performances. The New York Post called it a misguided, unbalanced attempt at Western crime drama—“visually and emotionally uninspiring”. Washington Post compared it to a “Fargo wannabe,” giving it 1.5 stars, and describing it as overcrowded with underdeveloped performances—including a weak showing by Sweeney. Roger Ebert’s site called it “a mess”—well-shot but unfocused, with gimmicky characters and an overstuffed narrative.Fan Impressions:User reviews are split: one praised its weekend-watch appeal and cinematography; another simply celebrated Sweeney—and noted the film felt like “a lot of fun”.🎯 Conclusion Americana is a bold, genre-blending neo-Western that attempts to mix crime thriller, dark comedy, and Americana mythos into a gritty, nonlinear narrative. While it earned early praise at SXSW and features an impressive ensemble led by Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser, and Halsey, its broader theatrical release has drawn mixed reviews. Some critics applaud its ambition and character-driven storytelling, while others see it as overstuffed, uneven, or lacking emotional depth. If you enjoy quirky, offbeat crime tales with a Western backdrop—especially in the vein of Coen Brothers or early Tarantino—you may find Americana worth the ride. Just go in knowing it’s polarizing. Read More

• 2025
• 1 h : 47 min
• 811 views
• 5.785
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