The Harder They Fall

Directed by Jeymes Samuel 

Available on Netflix

Review by Danielle Papamichael 

Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall is more than a Western, it’s an absolute treasure. 

With great conviction and style, Samuel has been able to give this white-washed genre (a third of cowboys during the 1800s were Black yet that fact has hardly ever been reflected in Hollywood-produced films) the contemporary make-over it so desperately needed. 

In the opening scene we are told: “While the events of this story are fictional… these people existed.” It’s a reference to those Black cowboys who lived and died in the Old West, such as Nat Love, Bass Reaves, Rufus Buck, Stagecoach Mary, Cherokee Bill, Jim Beckwourth and Bill Pickett. The Harder They Fall however is about more than correcting historical misrepresentation in film, it is a true celebration of these previously untold characters whose courage powerfully shines throughout the story. 

Samuel makes a conscious effort to give every character on screen space and time to feature regardless of gender or race. It’s a corrective to past characterisations he says, “Traditionally in Hollywood westerns, Black people, Chinese people, other people of colour, and women were always shown as subservient”. 

Set across the stunning plains of New Mexico, we follow the story of Nat Love, (Jonathan Majors) a feared outlaw whose life goal is to avenge his parents’ death. Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) not only left him orphaned as a child but also carved a crucifix into his forehead, as a departing gift. When Love discovers that Buck is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track him down to finally exact revenge. Riding with Love is sharpshooter Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi), self proclaimed “quickest draw in the West”, Jim Beckworth (RJ Cyler), the badass love interest that is Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beets), her saloon bouncer Cuffee (Danielle Deadwyler) and deputy marshal Bass Reeves (Delroy Lindo). 

Rufus Buck also has his own fearsome crew including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and effortlessly cool Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield) – a gang that definitely doesn’t know how to lose. 

The Harder They Fall ticks all of the boxes for this genre. There’s gory violence, dramatic shootouts, galloping horse-stunts, an epic train-robbery, saloon hangouts, a bank robbery, and revenge. Meanwhile, running through the film are deeper themes of love and loyalty. Many of the characters, including Buck and Smith, have experienced childhood trauma and domestic violence in their lives. Idris Elba plays a complex villain with deep sadness and authenticity, highlighting the ways in which trauma can lead to further violence and pain. 

The Harder They Fall is not a story about good guys vs bad, it’s about the complexities of human nature and how, finally, everyone just wants to be loved. 

As well as the vibrant stylisation, impressive set design and the killer cast, the expansive soundtrack and original score play a huge part in the film’s success. Produced by Samuel himself and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z), the music drives the plot, and in a beautiful way connects the audience to The Harder They Fall, in all its glory and kinetic power. 

Photo courtesy of Netflix