| Frontier Crucible | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Travis Mills |
| Screenplay by | S. Craig Zahler (uncredited) |
| Based on | Desert Stake-Out by Harry Whittington |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Maxime Alexandre |
| Edited by | Jared Bentley |
| Music by | Sean Rowe |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Well Go USA Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 125 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Frontier Crucible is a 2025 American Western film directed by Travis Mills and written by an uncredited S. Craig Zahler, based on the 1961 novel Desert Stake-Out by Harry Whittington. It stars Myles Clohessy, Thomas Jane, Ryan Masson, Armie Hammer, Mary Stickley, and Eli Brown.
The film was released by Well Go USA Entertainment on December 5, 2025.[2][3] The film received mixed reviews from critics.[4]
Plot
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: December 2025. You can help by adding to it. (December 2025) |
A tough former soldier is given the task of transporting a wagon of medical supplies through hostile territory. He encounters a woman and her injured husband along with three outlaws. He provides assistance and transports them as the story quickly turns dark. an Apache scout finds the group and is killed and the outlaws turn on the man who helped them. The situation turns deadly.
Cast
[edit]- Myles Clohessy as Merrick Beckford
- Thomas Jane as Mule, a outlaw
- Ryan Masson as Billy, Mule's son
- Armie Hammer as Edmund, Mule's associate
- Mary Stickley as Valerie
- Eli Brown as Jeff, Valerie's wounded husband
- Zane Holtz
- Eddie Spears
- William H. Macy
Production
[edit]In October 2024, an adaptation of the 1961 Western novel Desert Stake-Out by Harry Whittington was in development, with Travis Mills directing, and Thomas Jane, Armie Hammer, William H. Macy, Myles Clohessy, Eli Brown, Eddie Spears, Zane Holtz, Jonah Kagen, and Mary Stickley joining the cast. Principal photography began on November 22, 2024, in Monument Valley and Prescott, Arizona, with Maxime Alexandre serving as the cinematographer and Ryan Masson replacing Kagen.[5][6][7] The screenplay is uncredited;[8] in an interview, Jane said the script was actually written by an uncredited S. Craig Zahler.[9]
Reception
[edit]Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck described the film as a "competently executed but unmemorable oater", and compared the film to 1950s westerns directed by John Ford and Anthony Mann, as well as Bone Tomahawk, also produced by Dallas Sonnier. Comparatively, Scheck found the film's direction to be lacking Bone Tomahawk's "stylistic flair" and criticized the lead performance, but praised the supporting roles and the cinematography.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Frontier Crucible (18)". British Board of Film Classification. December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "The Numbers - Theatrical Release Schedule Changes for the Week Ending October 12, 2025". The Numbers. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ Renner, Brian D. "Everything You Need to Know About Frontier Crucible Movie (2025): Oct. 5, 2025 - added adaptation as a genre". Movie Insider. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "Frontier Crucible | Audience Reviews | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 29, 2024). "Thomas Jane To Headline Western 'Frontier Crucible' From 'Bone Tomahawk' Producer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 30, 2024). "Armie Hammer Books Acting Return With Western 'Frontier Crucible'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (November 22, 2024). "William H. Macy Joins Thomas Jane & Armie Hammer In Western 'Frontier Crucible', Filming Underway". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Scheck, Frank (December 1, 2025). "'Frontier Crucible' Review: Armie Hammer Plays a Sadistic Outlaw in Shrug-Worthy Western Comeback". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ^ Niall Browne (November 27, 2025). "#93: Thomas Jane & Director Travis Mills On FRONTIER CRUCIBLE". Movies in Focus (Podcast). Retrieved December 23, 2025.