The Night They Came Home – Film Review

As a voracious consumer of both Western thrillers and general film noir, I embarked on watching The Night They Came Home, with hopeful anticipation. This feature, directed by Paul G. Volk, promised a gritty drama that blends traditional Old West themes with a racially aware narrative centered around a US Marshall partnering with Native Americans to bring down the notorious Rufus Buck Gang. Regrettably, what the film delivered instead was a lackluster medley of squandered potential, frustrating stereotypes, and plodding pacing that bore more resemblance to an insomniac’s nightmare than a captivating cinematic endeavor.

The concept offered potential; a gang run amok in Indian Territory, with unlikely allies joining forces to bring them to justice. Despite this fertile groundwork, the storyline seemed woefully underserved by the clunky dialogue written by John A. Russo and James O’Brien. Every conversation was brimming with predictable lines and stilted exchanges that drained any modicum of authenticity from the characters and left viewers feeling as if they were languishing in the parched landscapes of the Old West.

Then comes the cast ensemble. Brian Austin Green is well cast but feels almost trapped by the weak screenplay, with little room to maneuver into any profound depth of character. Meanwhile, the character Rufus Buck, portrayed by Charlie Townsend, remains flatter than a desert plain. Instead of embodying the charismatic, commanding aura essential to portray such a character, he lumbers across the screen, stilted and monochromatic.

Danny Trejo, usually a joy to watch for his brooding and electric presence, seemed inexplicably shackled in his role as Digger. Known for his kinetic energy, Trejo was essentially reduced to playing second fiddle, his potential brutally restrained. In stark contrast, Robert Carradine overdid the theatrics, converting what should’ve been a stalwart, endearing character into a hammed-up caricature.

Even the cinematography failed to salvage what little redeemable qualities The Night They Came Home had. While Western thrillers traditionally benefit from expansive, dramatic landscape shots, this film’s scenes appeared shallow and devoid of any artistic prowess, echoing the lack of depth in its narrative.

Inclusion of Native Americans had the potential to elevate the storyline to higher narrative complexities and contribute meaningful social commentary, but this was just another opportunity overlooked by the creators. Stereotypes flowed freely with every reference, pushing an otherwise well-intended subplot into offensive territory, thus managing to undo what could’ve been an insightful exploration of racial alliances in a lawless land.

Similarly, the background score didn’t elevate the viewing experience. Instead of accompanying the narrative to drive up tension, it jarringly intervened during pivotal scenes, dragging one out of the already shaky narrative instead of reinforcing immersion.

The Night They Came Home promised an exciting tale of partnerships, adventure, and morality against a rugged Old West backdrop. However, the promise remains unfulfilled, leaving in its wake a stream of hackneyed dialogue, underutilized talents, and squandered potential that results in an unsatisfactory viewing experience.

Unfortunately, it was evident throughout that the production team missed numerous opportunities to refine their film, transform it from a ponderous mess to a memorable Western thriller. An overall poor attempt, especially when considering the vastness and intensity of stories yet to be uncovered in the intriguing historical milieu that it clumsily tries to capture.