Brimstone plays as a 4-act western with heavy elements of a lawless and immoral time elevated to the brink of a horror movie. In other words it's 100% dark. It certainly has deep themes one can decipher differently and wrapped in mystery which the two middle acts slowly unfold like nested Faberge eggs of what it is about.
A lot rests on the performances of "The Reverend" played by Guy Pierce and Dakota Fanning's Liz. Pearce has played heavies before and he exponentially multiplies it with a devilish off-the-charts creep factor which makes him, perhaps, the most hated celluloid villain imaginable. Dakota Fanning proves in one fell swoop she's not going to be remembered only as child actress. With slight dialog (she wasn't always mute) she proves how amazing she can be when given an exceptional role. It's great to see a classic western (the good/the bad) re-invented in such a way that the morality play is totally fresh. Brimstone is a harrowing ride from the start right up until the last and like a train wreck you simply can't help turn away from. It's not like anything the long playing genre has seen so be aware the consensus seems to be highly polarized. This reviewer found it worthy, your mileage may vary.
A lot rests on the performances of "The Reverend" played by Guy Pierce and Dakota Fanning's Liz. Pearce has played heavies before and he exponentially multiplies it with a devilish off-the-charts creep factor which makes him, perhaps, the most hated celluloid villain imaginable. Dakota Fanning proves in one fell swoop she's not going to be remembered only as child actress. With slight dialog (she wasn't always mute) she proves how amazing she can be when given an exceptional role. It's great to see a classic western (the good/the bad) re-invented in such a way that the morality play is totally fresh. Brimstone is a harrowing ride from the start right up until the last and like a train wreck you simply can't help turn away from. It's not like anything the long playing genre has seen so be aware the consensus seems to be highly polarized. This reviewer found it worthy, your mileage may vary.