...a slow-moving yet predominantly engaging film noir...

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 11, 2024

And though Cage is effortlessly watchable as Williams, the performance of the movie is Dennis Hopper as the typically extroverted hitman “Lyle, From Dallas”.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 19, 2023

While it does naval-gaze a little too much, the focus and pacing keeps it on track.

| Aug 17, 2022

Helping the story move along at a brisk clip is Dahl’s tight control of the editing coupled with a well-tuned ear for the rhythms and cadences of everyday conversation.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 6, 2022

...a little gem. Its success is due to the fact that there are so few authentic movie plots around these days...

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 25, 2022

It's well worth tracking down, wherever you can find it. For it has the kind of tension and energy -- maybe even a touch of delirium -- that is only a memory in most of today's big studio movies.

| Mar 13, 2009

The cast is terrific, with Walsh at his most deliciously amoral.

| Sep 16, 2008

A wry thriller with a keen edge.

Full Review | Sep 16, 2008

One of the most successful entries in the crowded ranks of early '90s neo-noir thrillers.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Sep 16, 2008

A rather ho-hum if watchable neo-noir, though it's been treated in some quarters as something special.

| Sep 16, 2008

"Red Rock West" is a fun Neo-Noir that pays off on every repeated viewing.

| Original Score: FIVE STARS | Nov 30, 2007

It's a brilliant noir movie that seems to understand the inner workings of film noir, rather than just paying tribute to it.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 30, 2007

A forceful, witty film noir played almost straight.

| Original Score: A | Apr 9, 2007

John Dahl's second feature is a quirky, low-budget "Western noir," baosting a fresh narrative angle and a quintessentially indie cast, including Nicolas Cage (before he became a star), J.T. Walsh, and the ubiquitous enfant terrible Dennis Hopper

| Original Score: B+ | Dec 14, 2006

[A] well-played, highly entertaining and playfully ingenious thriller.

| Jun 24, 2006

With J.T. Walsh, Dennis Hopper, and Lara Flynn Boyle in your desert thriller, it's hard to go wrong, and in his riveting sophomore feature, John Dahl rarely gets tripped up.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 1, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 26, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 2, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 19, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 13, 2004