Some of the most classic features of the superhero genre of films are their inspiring characters, well-crafted worlds, and exciting action. Fans of the genre can now experience these story qualities in a whole new style in Netflix’s new western, The Harder They Fall. This film has already received good reviews and has remained among Netflix’s most popular movies since its release date. The film is already accumulating a strong fanbase and it’s not just because of the incredibly talented cast that brings the story to life.
Now more than ever there is a need for Western films, specifically Westerns that re-examine the false narrative the genre tends to possess. Now is the time where all of the real people who were underrepresented and whose stories were never told can be shared. It's an opportunity to contribute to representation and to tell the history of the U.S. as it really was.
In a way, this is world-building in a genre that people already associate with being a certain way. Fans of superhero storylines know that, for the story to make sense, the world has to be set up appropriately. An established world is apparent from the first scene of The Harder They Fall. It's a visual masterpiece in terms of the props, setting, costumes, makeup, and gore. The visuals alone are sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, which is always a trait of superhero movies. The visuals are part of the story in this western, not just reflective of the time. For example, Mayesville is a town where there are no Black people and the color scheme for the whole town is literally all white.
While a lot of attention goes into introducing the audience to the world, an equal amount of effort goes into setting up the characters. There are several characters in superhero movies that are based on real people, which is the objective of this film also. For example, like Magneto is thought to be based on Malcolm X, The Harder they Fall uses real, powerful figures from the old west to create inspiring characters for their own story, like Bass Reeves and Cherokee Bill.
Another common quality among the characters in The Harder They Fall is that they are motivated by revenge or justice. This is something else that is often seen in DC and Marvel films as character motives. Such bold and dangerous journeys, of course, require passionate goals to fuel the character’s motivation. The background and driving force of the characters, a key part of the storyline in The Harder They Fall, is much like an origin story.
These goals and backstories of the characters are usually what allow the audience to connect to the otherwise extraordinary people, giving them human weaknesses that viewers can somehow relate to. Superheroes' storylines usually consist of being ostracized for being different, despite being so spectacular, which is because superheroes and villains are meant to reflect certain parts of society. Superhero films traditionally aim to serve as a counter-argument to societal prejudices, which is much the same with The Harder They Fall.
If the impressive way the world and characters are set up isn’t enough to entice viewers, perhaps the action will be. Fans of superhero movies like Shang Chi are sure to appreciate the intense fighting scene that takes place toward the end. In some ways, the action is a bit more realistic than the kind in most superhero films but it’s still fresh and suspenseful. The characters fighting in this scene are clearly skilled fighters, creating a contrast between them and their environment by how impressive they are, often seen in superhero movies. Unusually skilled combat abilities are a key component of a superhero or villain and all of the characters that this film focused on possessed such abilities.
Beyond these bigger, primary points of similarity between The Harder They Fall and superhero films, there are other common points that make it worth the watch. The music in the film is one example. It directly compliments what's happening in the scene, making it a tool for the story intensity-- a trick supero films use all the time.
Taking the usual Western approach to music and using something more traditional, perhaps even written by other famous Black cowboys, would have contributed to a more historical telling of the story. The point of this film was to step away from the outdated tropes of the western genre and to not rely solely on history’s telling, though. They wanted to show elements of history through the characters but in a new light-- as heroes and villains that are actually using the same methods to achieve the same things-- and this music choice caters to that.
On that note, this movie isn't introducing audiences to all of these impressive historical figures in a tale that's based on a true event. Instead, it’s creating a fictional event that brings all of these people together with a common goal and illustrates the potential of what could have been. As a result, it demonstrates how Black cowboys and cowgirls were capable of just as much as their white counterparts, if not more because of all that they had driving them.
The last bit of incentive is that there's good potential for a second film. There were plenty of the characters from this film left to follow another story. On top of that, there are so many Black cowboys that were not shown in this film that could still be incorporated.
The Harder They Fall ends with what is likely the figure of Treacherous Trudy watching two of the remaining characters ride away, implying that there's more to come. It has a satisfying twist that ties together the story but hints at the potential for more storyline. Overall it’s just an enjoyable and well-written story, with potential for more, making it a good watch for really anyone but especially those with a taste for inspiring characters and action.