The Old Way
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Old Way
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Old Way is a Western starring Nicolas Cage as a former killer who takes his 12-year-old daughter on a revenge mission. It's full of colorful characters and playful dialogue but has plenty of mature content. Violence includes guns and shootings (some fatal), blood spurts and bloody wounds, a woman being pistol-whipped in the face and having her arm broken, and a young girl who's threatened and in peril. The same girl shoots guns, and a bullet is removed (and the wound cauterized). Other scenes show horses being shot and killed, knives, fire, and additional broken bones. Strong language includes several uses of "s--t," "ass," "son of a bitch," "goddamn," "hell," and more. A married couple kiss, and some characters are implied to be sex workers. Characters drink from flasks and do shots of whiskey in a bar.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In THE OLD WAY, young Colton Briggs (Nicolas Cage) is a stone-cold killer who shoots several people without even blinking. Twenty years later, as the Old West fades away into a New Republic, he's reformed. He's happily married to Ruth (Kerry Knuppe) and has a whip-smart 12-year-old daughter, Brooke (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). Unfortunately, dangerous criminal James McCallister (Noah Le Gros) has just broken out of prison and has a longstanding vendetta against Briggs. McCallister assembles a crew that includes Big Mike (Abraham Benrubi), Boots (Shiloh Fernandez), and Eustice (Clint Howard) and launches a terrible plan. Despite the warnings of Marshal Jarret (Nick Searcy), Briggs takes Brooke on a revenge mission. But are they walking into a trap?
Is It Any Good?
This simple Western ultimately doesn't have terribly much to say, but Cage's hard-as-an-anvil performance, his chemistry with young Armstrong, and some playful dialogue make it worth a look. The Old Way starts out very well, with director Brett Donowho giving writer Carl W. Lucas' words just the right pacing, especially in the terse way that Briggs and Brooke speak to each other, he with gruff, stoic commands and she with cold logic (she's like a Wild West Wednesday Addams). The villains are a colorful bunch, too, with the silver-tongued McCallister as the leader, lumbering Big Mike, loose-cannon Boots, and cranky old-timer Eustice (played by cult fave Howard). The dialogue promises a real treat when the chase is over and the showdown begins -- "you boys have woke up the devil," the villains are warned -- but unfortunately, The Old Way just kind of ... ends. It half-heartedly shrugs at ideas of revenge being ill-fated and of certain qualities being passed on from generation to generation, but it doesn't really do anything with these notions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Old Way's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How would you describe the relationship between 12-year-old Brooke and violence? Does she seem repelled by or attracted to it? Is it just a matter-of-fact thing? Does she face consequences?
What is the nature of revenge? Can it be good? Bad? Both? How?
What makes the Western genre appealing? What can stories of the Old West tell us about who we are today?
Characters drink casually throughout the movie, both from flasks and in bars. Does drinking seem glamorized? Are any consequences shown? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 6, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: January 13, 2023
- Cast: Nicolas Cage, Ryan Kiera Amrstrong, Noah Le Gros
- Director: Brett Donowho
- Studios: Saban Films, Lionsgate
- Genre: Western
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence
- Last updated: January 16, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
True Grit
Coen brothers tackle classic Western with wit and brutality.
-
Old Henry
Classically built Western explores themes of violence; guns.
-
Unforgiven
Violent Oscar winner shatters myths of the Old West.
-
In a Valley of Violence
Small-scale revenge Western is entertaining but violent.
-
The Ballad of Lefty Brown
Sidekick takes spotlight in excellent but violent Western.
-
News of the World
Stirring, lyrical Western has peril, some harsh violence.
For kids who love Westerns and thrills
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate