Taylor Sheridan’s “This Bad Horror Movie”: Why He Turns Down His Directorial Debut Unlike His Western Films & TV Series

While Taylor Sheridan rose to fame with the neo-Western series Yellowstone, few know that his journey began in an entirely different genre—horror. A seasoned writer, producer, and director, Sheridan has made significant contributions to American cinema since the 1990s. Although he initially pursued acting, his career path shifted toward screenwriting and eventually showrunning. Today, he oversees a thriving portfolio of popular neo-Western and thriller series. However, his early work in horror remains a curious footnote in his career.

Many viewers are largely unaware of Sheridan’s extensive filmography prior to Yellowstone. Few recognize his scripts for critically acclaimed films such as Sicario and Hell or High Water. Sheridan’s recent endeavors include the 2021 action thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead, which he wrote, directed, and produced. Yet, the most surprising entry in his career remains Vile, his first feature film, which he publicly admits to disliking.

Sheridan’s Directorial Debut: Vile and Its Reception

Critical Reception of Vile

Made in 2011, Vile is a horror film that centers on a group of friends ensnared in a horrific experiment after aiding a woman at a gas station. Over a harrowing 22 hours, they endure excruciating pain as their captors extract a chemical from their brains. Sheridan reflects on this project, stating, “I kind of kept the ship pointed straight”(Rotten Tomatoes).

Despite its importance as his directorial debut, Sheridan expresses a lack of emotional investment in Vile, admitting he stepped in primarily to assist a friend. His critique isn’t unfounded; the film struggles with poor reception, holding no critics score and a mere 30% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Although some viewers were entertained by its graphic content, many were disenfranchised by its plot and criticized its unsatisfactory ending. Such feedback clarifies why Sheridan prefers to distance himself from this initial effort.

A More Fitting Directorial Debut: Wind River

What Wind River Reveals About Sheridan’s Talent

In contrast to Vile, Wind River (2017) better showcases Sheridan’s storytelling capabilities, making it a more appropriate representation of his vision. This compelling neo-Western crime drama follows a wildlife tracker and an FBI agent as they uncover the mystery surrounding a woman’s murder on a Native American reservation. The film stands out for intertwining a grim Western atmosphere with a captivating crime narrative, reflecting the themes that Sheridan commonly explores.

Wind River epitomizes Sheridan’s narrative strength and directorial finesse, demonstrating his adeptness in crafting compelling stories. By helming both the writing and directing aspects, Sheridan’s unique vision is apparent throughout the film, contrasting starkly with his minimal involvement in Vile. For anyone interested in exploring Sheridan’s earlier work, Wind River is undoubtedly the film to watch.

Source & Images