Thescreescore – Nicolas Cage, a cinematic chameleon, finally tackled the Western genre in 2023’s The Old Way, a film that initially slipped under the radar. But like a gunslinger emerging from the shadows, this revenge tale is now experiencing a resurgence, thanks to the unpredictable power of streaming. The film, which saw a limited theatrical release, is currently trending at #1 on Tubi, proving that sometimes, the best way to find an audience is to offer a free ride.
The Old Way casts Cage as Colton Briggs, a man haunted by his past whose family is brutally murdered. This ignites a classic Western quest for vengeance, a familiar trope given a fresh spin by Cage’s unique intensity. While critics were less than impressed, awarding it a mere 32% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences are proving far more receptive, giving it a robust 70% audience score. This discrepancy highlights the often-vast gulf between critical consensus and popular enjoyment.
The film’s initial struggles can be attributed to several factors. The Western genre isn’t experiencing a major boom, and Cage’s filmography, while undeniably prolific, includes a fair share of divisive entries. The limited theatrical release further hampered its reach, preventing it from organically connecting with a wider audience.
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However, its free availability on Tubi has changed the game. This streaming platform has provided The Old Way with the perfect launchpad, allowing it to reach a casual audience who might not have sought it out otherwise. While it’s no Tombstone, and doesn’t quite reach the heights of Cage’s recent critically acclaimed performances in films like Pig and Longlegs, The Old Way offers a satisfying, if somewhat familiar, revenge story, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre and Cage’s eclectic career. This unexpected success underscores the evolving landscape of film distribution and the enduring appeal of a good old-fashioned Western, even when delivered via a free streaming service. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best stories find their audience in the most unexpected places. And for Cage, it’s yet another chapter in his long and winding cinematic journey.
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