Netflix has unveiled the first full trailer for its star-studded Western,The Harder They Fall, which hails fromJeymes Samuelin his directorial debut. The film looks like it could it be one of the streamer’s top contenders in the awards season.
The trailer has a hip-hop vibe that might remind you ofQuentin Tarantino’sDjango Unchained. Interestingly,Django Unchainedwas the first Tarantino film that was released after his split from longtime producerLawrence Bender, who has co-producedThe Harder They FallwithJay-Z. The rap icon is credited asShawn Carterin the trailer. Samuel, also known by his stage nameThe Bullitts, previously worked with Jay-Z on the soundtrack for directorBaz Luhrmann’sThe Great Gatsby.
The trailer sets up the central conflict between two men — Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) and Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) as a host of colorful characters and scenarios are introduced. When Nat learns that Rufus has been released from prison, he rounds up his old crew with the sole purpose of exacting revenge. Samuel appears to be paying homage to the Westerns of yore through a contemporary lens. We see shootouts and grand posturing, physical comedy, and inventive first-person shots.
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And then there’s the cast. In addition to Elba and Majors, the film’s stacked ensemble includesRegina King,Zazie Beetz,LaKeith Stanfield,Delroy Lindo, and others. Not only doesThe Harder They Fallsubvert genre tropes by largely focusing on Black characters, but it also provides a great vehicle for some of the finest actors working today to show their chops but also have some fun.
Majors, who reunites with hisDa 5 Bloodsco-star Lindo here, is one to look out for. He had such a terrific 2020; besides the acclaimedSpike Leejoint, he also starred in HBO’sLovecraft Country, which is sadlynot returning for a second season. He will also star as the villain Kang the Conqueror inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Beetz rose to prominence with roles inDeadpool 2andJoker. She is also a part of another exquisitely cast film, the action-thrillerBullet Train. which features the likes ofBrad Pitt,Sandra Bullock, andJoey King.
Stanfield is coming off of an Oscar nomination for his performance inJudas and the Black Messiah. Elba was most recently seen as Bloodsport in directorJames Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad. And if, by chance, this isn’t your kind of Elba movie, have no fear; the actor recently boardedSonic the Hedgehog 2as the voice of Knuckles.
The Harder They Fallwill be released in select theaters in October, and on Netflix on November 3. you’re able to watch the trailer here:
