The Coen brothers' critically acclaimed 2007 neo-Western crime thriller, No Country for Old Men, is now available to stream for free on Paramount Plus, Kanopy, and Pluto TV. The film, which swept the Academy Awards with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, has been cited as an influence on HBO's new DC series, Lanterns.
James Hawes, the director of Lanterns, drew a comparison between the DC series and the Coen brothers' seminal work. While Lanterns features superheroes Hal Jordan and John Stewart in a space-faring context, Hawes noted that the series' grounding in small-town Nebraska settings creates a neo-Western narrative. This genre blends traditional Western themes and imagery with contemporary storytelling, often exploring moral ambiguity and lawlessness.
No Country for Old Men, adapted from Cormac McCarthy's novel, centers on a drug deal gone wrong in West Texas. Llewelyn Moss, an impoverished welder played by Josh Brolin, discovers a suitcase full of money at the crime scene and takes it. His actions draw the attention of Anton Chigurh, a mysterious and menacing mercenary portrayed by Javier Bardem, who is hired to retrieve the stolen cash. Meanwhile, veteran Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, played by Tommy Lee Jones, investigates the escalating violence.
The film significantly boosted the careers of its lead actors. Javier Bardem, in particular, achieved international recognition and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his chilling portrayal of Chigurh, a character often cited as one of cinema's most memorable villains. Brolin's role as Moss solidified his status as an A-list actor, while Jones delivered a nuanced performance as the aging sheriff grappling with a changing world.
Bardem's Chigurh stands out with his distinctive look and intimidating presence, seeming almost out of time despite the film's 1980s setting. Brolin's Moss is the film's grounded protagonist, a relatable character driven by the desire to keep the money he found, regardless of the dangerous consequences. Jones' Sheriff Bell, however, is depicted not as a conventional hero, but as an older lawman increasingly out of touch with the brutality unfolding around him, adding a layer of tragic realism to the narrative.
The interplay between these characters, set against the rural Texas landscape, drives a narrative filled with shocking yet believable twists. No Country for Old Men is considered a prime example of a grounded neo-Western story. The juxtaposition of its gritty realism with the more fantastical elements of Lanterns is precisely what has captivated audiences, suggesting that the blend of the otherworldly and the rustic can create compelling narratives.
For viewers who find themselves drawn to the neo-Western sensibilities of Lanterns, No Country for Old Men offers a masterclass in the genre. The film's intricate plot, compelling characters, and atmospheric tension have cemented its status as a modern classic.