Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Old West anthology is riveting, unconventional, violent.
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Why Age 17+?
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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Parents say the film features an unconventional narrative with six interconnected vignettes that explore dark themes such as violence, death, and existential questions through a whimsical yet haunting lens, making it a thought-provoking experience might not be suitable for younger viewers. The cinematography and performances are praised, but many reviewers caution that the graphic violence and somber subject matter should be approached with care, particularly by parents deciding if it's appropriate for their children.
- unconventional narratives
- dark themes
- graphic violence
- thought-provoking
- not for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 12 kid reviews
What's the Story?
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, at a little over two hours, tells six stories, united only by their imaginative take on traditional tales from lore of the American West and on their offbeat tone. Each is in a different setting with its own complex, often unexpected characters. Luck -- both good and bad -- plays a significant role in a number of the tales. In the title story, Buster Scruggs (Tim Blake Nelson) is a famous gunfighter who sings and shoots and smiles his way into the heart of a dusty town filled with outlaws and cutthroats. James Franco in "Near Algodones" is a bank robber who finds himself on the wrong end of a gun. "Meal Ticket" tells the story of an itinerant "Impresario" (Liam Neeson) taking his fantastical "show" to isolated outposts. Tom Waits, as "The Prospector," lights up the most picturesque vistas of the West with his enduring passion and patience as he pans for gold. Zoe Kazan is Alice, "The Gal Who Got Rattled," on a long wagon train heading to a new life in Oregon. And finally, "The Mortal Remains," with five outrageous passengers, takes place entirely in a stagecoach with an array of mouthy folks who have stridently different points of view.
Is It Any Good?
Character-rich, strikingly photographed, with occasional humor (often irreverent) and deft moments of poignancy, the uniquely talented Coen Brothers add another gem to their long list of treasures. They leave no Old West traditions unplumbed. Crusty old-timers, garrulous con artists, and hapless victims of violence and cruelty are dealt hands that audiences have seen before, but not like this. They don't skimp on details either. Art decoration, sets, costumes, makeup, music, and framing the stories with an "authentic" book feel just right. The movie looks and sounds beautiful. The performances, from the leads to those with one line, are wonderful.
Of course, in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, some of the stories work better than others, but it's hard to pick a favorite. Some folks may find the treatment of Native Americans a bit "retro," but in this movie the characterizations appear to point up and subtly mock the off-putting depictions seen in earlier films. In their long partnership, taking extraordinary risks (see A Serious Man and The Lady Killers), having resounding successes (Fargo and No Country for Old Men), and creating "one-off" cult favorites (The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Joel and Ethan Coen have made multitudes of fans. This film, for mature audiences, is a stellar addition to their body of work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. The filmmakers display a wide range of tone in their depiction of violence. In which stories is the gunplay and action meant to be funny? In which is it meant to be exaggerated? In which does it feel most real?
Why was "Meal Ticket," with Liam Neeson and Harry Melling, in which absolutely no violence was shown, perhaps the most unsettling and disturbing of the stories?
What is the meaning of the word "irony" in literature and film? "Near Algodones," with James Franco, is the clearest example of irony. Which other stories had ironic twists (often sad) at the end?
What role did luck (bad or good) play in some of the stories? In "All Gold Canyon"? In "The Gal Who Got Rattled"?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 9, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : November 16, 2018
- Cast : Liam Neeson , Tom Waits , Zoe Kazan , James Franco
- Directors : Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Western
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Run time : 133 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong violence
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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