BONE TOMAHAWK is the directorial debut of author, musician, and screenwriter S. Craig Zahler, whose previous foray into horror movies includes penning the script for ASYLUM BLACKOUT, an overlooked gem about a group of inmate’s unleashing havoc in an institution for the criminally insane. On the other hand, avid readers might know him for his critically acclaimed western novels A CONGREGATION OF JACKALS and WRAITHS OF THE BROKEN LAND – or the crime thriller MEAN BUSINESS ON NORTH GANSON STREET, which has a movie adaptation in development with Leonardo Dicaprio rumoured to be attached. Suffice to say Zahler is a man of many talents, and promising filmmaker is one of them, because BONE TOMAHAWK is one of the best movies of 2015.

Those going into BONE TOMAHAWK expecting RAVENOUS might be disappointed. While it does contain elements of horror and cannibalism, it has more in common with THE SEARCHERS than anything else. In fact, the plot mirrors John Ford’s classic adventure, albeit with a few tweaks. In THE SEARCHERS, John Wayne’s character Ethan Edwards leads an expedition to retrieve his niece who’s been kidnapped by Comanche Indians. Here, hardboiled Sheriff Hunt (Kurt Russell) spearheads a rescue mission into the territory of Troglodyte cannibals, who have kidnapped the wife of the crippled Arthur (Patrick Wilson). He is accompanied by the desperate husband, his old deputy Chicory (Richard Jenkins) and racist gunslinger Brooder (Matthew Fox) as they embark on a good old fashioned man-on-a-mission adventure through the Frontier.

The movie is very slow burn and character driven; but what it lacks in action it more than makes up for in compelling characters and excellent performances from its all-star ensemble cast. Zahler’s script is excellent, and provides these talented actors with material they can sink their teeth into with macho bravado. Richard Jenkins’ transformation into Chicory is so good he’s practically unrecognizable, whereas the performances of Patrick Wilson and Matthew Fox are career bests. Kurt Russell is also top of his game, although he does deliver the sort of distinct bad ass performance he’s known and beloved for.

While BONE TOMAHAWK is mostly a straight western, those going in expecting a horror film will be pleased to know the final act summons its inner CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, with seamless tonal shifting that doesn’t feel forced. There is one act so graphic and brutal it will stay with you long afterwards, and remain the major talking point of this movie as long as it’s remembered. It looks disturbingly realistic, and its destined to go down in history as a classic “Holy Shit’’ moment. Gorehounds will rejoice.

BONE TOMAHAWK is up there with the best of the year, and it follows THE PROPOSITION and SLOW WEST in a small string of westerns made in the 21st Century that hold a candle to the classics by John Ford, Sam Peckinpah and Sergio Leone. It’s also a superb horror film when the story requires it to be. S. Craig Zahler is a director worth a fuss right now, and his career is off to a flier with a masterpiece already under his belt.