In 2016, after starring in several well-received horror films like Sinister and The Purge, actor Ethan Hawke teamed up with Blumhouse Productions once again for the studio's first Western, In a Valley of Violence. Directed by Ti West, another horror genre mainstay, the film focuses on Hawke's character Paul, a ex-soldier and drifter who goes on the warpath for revenge after experiencing a violent attack by a local deputy. The film also stars John Travolta, Taissa Farmiga, Karen Gillen, and James Ransone as Deputy Gilly Martin, the man who sparks Paul's need for vengeance. Interestingly, In a Valley of Violence's initial premise actually has quite a few similarities with John Wick, but you'll have to watch to understand why.
The film's strength is the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously, evident in its absurdist style of humor. Critics gave the film relatively positive reviews, praising the performances and how the movie embraces classic Western tropes to create a self-aware yet entertaining adventure. Sheila O'Malley of RogerEbert.com said that Travolta "gives one of his funniest performances in recent memory. [...] Something happens when Travolta gets engaged with material and given circumstances. It's movie magic, plain and simple." As for the rest of the film, it may be predictable, but it's a fun, violent story that gets by with great acting and unique humor.
