Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

A Violent New Day Dawns in the Western Shoot ‘Em Up, ‘The Harder They Fall’

Regina King as Trudy Smith, Idris Elba as Rufus Buck, Lakeith Stanfield as Cherokee Bill in 'The Harder They Fall.'
Regina King as Trudy Smith, Idris Elba as Rufus Buck, Lakeith Stanfield as Cherokee Bill in ‘The Harder They Fall.’ Netflix

“I don’t particularly enjoy violence. That being said, you are in company of extremely violent individuals,” Lakeith Stanfield intones as Cherokee Bill in the preview for The Harder They Fall.

Coming to Netflix on Nov. 3 after its world premiere at the London Film Festival this month, there could be no better way to sum up The Harder They Fall, the new Western flick from the streaming service. Inspired by the real-life cowboy Nat Love and the infamous Rufus Buck gang, the trailer suggests that the star-studded, majority Black-cast shoot ‘em up is sure to be filled with real Western grit.

The plot follows outlaw Nat Love (played by forehead cross-scarred Jonathan Majors) as he saddles up with his gang to take down enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), a ruthless crime boss just sprung from prison. Decades ago, Rufus killed Nat’s parents, and Nat’s hellbent on revenge once he discovers the prison break. Joined by his posse, Nat sets out to track Rufus down, but Rufus has his own gang by his side. With names like Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz) and “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King), you can expect they’ve already been in a fight or two.

We enter the story right in the middle of an ambush, in fact, with Trudy and Bill breaking Buck from his cell. An ominous banger on beat in the background, Buck dons the same black hat as his fellow outlaws, a nod to classic Western villains. 

Related Guides

Speaking of soundtracks, the trailer gives viewers a quick listen to the Jay-Z and Kid Cudi collaboration, My Guns Go Bang, which drops just after Nat recruits Mary. Beetz’s character is also based in history as ‘Stagecoach’ is supposed to be the first Black woman mail carrier, famed for her shooting ability and having “the temperament of a grizzly bear.” 

Jay-Z also serves as one of the film’s producers, which may have resulted from a close relationship with director Jeymes Samuel, who told Shadow and Act magazine that he grew up a huge fan of Westerns and always wanted them to explore the lives of more characters who weren’t white men.

“I just grew up wanting to know more about people of color and women and all of these ideas of the Old West that I was not getting from the Hollywood movies,” Samuel said. “And so I would just buy books and would…uncover amazing characters — heroes and villains, men and women of all colors.”

The trailer also call backs to musical icons from the previous generation, remixing Barrington Levy’s Here I Come and featuring Afrobeat king Fela Kuti who’s funkified, 1971, Let’s Start, carried June’s blistering The Harder They Come teaser.

Samuel is also known in the U.K. as singer-songwriter for The Bullitts. The film marks his feature-length directorial debut.

Read More: Artist Mark Maggiori’s New Old West

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
Apple just gave hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders a great reason to use Apple Maps and ditch Google Maps
Go anywhere and never get lost
Apple Maps update press release photo

Google Maps has long been a dominant player in navigation, known for its comprehensive data and ease of use. However, with the release of iOS 17, Apple has introduced a game-changing feature that's set to make Apple Maps the go-to choice for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Apple is finally introducing offline maps, and it's a feature that will revolutionize the way hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders navigate the great outdoors.
iOS 17 unveils offline maps for Apple Maps
Apple Maps has come a long way since its initial launch, and it's continually striving to offer users a more robust and feature-rich experience. With the launch of iOS 17 on September 18, 2023, Apple is introducing offline maps, a feature that will be a game-changer for those who love outdoor activities.

Offline maps allow users to select specific areas to download to their phones. Once downloaded, these maps can be accessed and used without an internet connection. This makes it possible to enjoy turn-by-turn navigation and conduct searches even in remote areas where internet connectivity may be unreliable or nonexistent. It works similarly to Google Maps in the sense that you do need a WiFi connection to download the maps, but after that, you're good to go off the grid.
The perfect companion for outdoor adventures
For outdoor enthusiasts, this feature is a dream come true. Whether you're hiking in the wilderness, camping in a remote location, skiing down the slopes, or snowboarding in the mountains, having access to offline maps can be a lifesaver. Here's how this feature can benefit different adventure seekers:

Read more
Ultimate relaxation: This massage chair is $3,700 off until tomorrow
A woman sitting in the Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair.

Relaxing at home is a much-underrated activity for many of us. That's why we had to highlight one of Best Buy's deals of the day which has a Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair down to $1,799. It usually costs $5,499 so you're saving a spectacular $3,700 off the regular price. Whether you've had a long day at work or you've just got back from a hectic session at the gym, you need a great massage chair to relax into. Here's what we know about it while you decide whether to hit the buy button or not. Remember -- you've only got until the end of today to do so.

Why you should buy the Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair
Arriving with no assembly required, the Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair is far better than any of the best massage guns you may have been considering for your post-workout recovery. It offers the most beneficial position for you to sit with the least amount of pressure on your spine.

Read more
These are the 13 best Brad Pitt movies, ranked
Does your favorite Brad Pitt movie make the list?
Brad Pitt staring across the table

If you were to look up the word "superstar" in the dictionary, it wouldn't be surprising if Brad Pitt's visage was strewn across the page. When you hear his name, it’s hard not to think of his chiseled abs, effortless charm, and distinctively beautiful face. Many may even immediately think of all the media surrounding his romantic entanglements with Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston, but we’re definitely not here to talk about that.

Today, we are here to talk about the many strides Brad Pitt has made in his film career; from war movies to heist comedies, he's taken his physical beauty and made the most of it. While he may not have the reputation of Tom Hanks or Al Pacino, Pitt has become a great performer in his own right. In addition to his prolific acting career, Pitt is also a producer with more than 60 credits to his name. Clearly, there is much more to him than just what meets the eye, which is part of what makes him such a compelling screen presence.

Read more