**Review of American Primeval – A Brutal Western with Ambition but Familiar Tropes**

American Primeval, Netflix‘s most ambitious western series to date, immerses viewers in the tumultuous and violent Utah Territory of 1857. Directed by Peter Berg, the six-part series delves into the violent clashes between U.S. forces, Mormon militias, settlers, and Native American tribes. While the show presents breathtaking visuals and solid performances, it struggles to transcend the clichés inherent in its genre, despite aiming to portray the stark realities of frontier life.

About ‘American Primeval’

The series is set against the backdrop of mounting tensions between North and South, just before the Civil War. Different factions are vying for control over the harsh and unforgiving land. There are rugged mountain men, bounty hunters, and pioneers, each fighting for survival. At the center of this chaos is Brigham Young (Kim Coates), leading a Mormon militia desperate to safeguard their religious freedom, even if it means taking violent measures. In response, the U.S. Army is surveilling Young’s every move, determined to prevent him from gaining too much power.

However, the land’s true indigenous claimants—the Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone tribes—find themselves battling to protect their homes from the encroaching settlers. Their efforts to survive in the face of relentless colonization form a crucial element of the series.

American Primeval follows Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin, best known for GLOW), a mother traveling west with her young son in search of her husband. Upon arriving in the unorganized and lawless frontier, Sara struggles to navigate the hostile environment. After losing her travel companions, she reluctantly teams up with Isaac (Taylor Kitsch), a rough, taciturn man with ties to the local Shoshone tribe. Together with Sara’s son, Devin (Preston Mota), and a runaway Shoshone girl named Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier), they journey through the wild Utah terrain.

The series intertwines Sara’s desperate journey with the true historical event of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, in which 150 settlers were killed by Brigham Young’s followers. This dark chapter sets the stage for additional narratives, including the plight of Jacob and Abish Pratt (Dane DeHaan and Saura Lightfoot-Leon), a newly married Mormon couple torn apart by the massacre. After the attack, Abish is captured by the Paiute tribe, while Jacob, suffering from amnesia, is left to piece together who orchestrated the brutal assault.

The show weaves together multiple storylines, showcasing not only the violence and desperation faced by pioneers but also the moral dilemmas of Native American tribes deciding whether to resist or cooperate with the incoming settlers. The overarching theme of land, freedom, and vengeance propels the plot, with each faction caught in an unrelenting cycle of survival and bloodshed.

American Primeval successfully conveys the harsh realities of frontier life, showcasing brutal winters, constant threats, and an ever-present fear of death. The series, however, doesn’t break new ground in its exploration of America’s violent and complicated past. It remains grounded in well-worn tropes of the western genre, despite its ambitious approach.

The performances are undoubtedly one of the series’ highlights. Gilpin’s portrayal of Sara is poignant, capturing the inner conflict of a mother determined to protect her son in a world that offers little hope. Kitsch delivers a compelling portrayal of Isaac, a lone survivor with a shadowy past. Supporting roles, including DeHaan and Lightfoot-Leon, are equally strong, adding emotional depth to their characters caught in the tragic sweep of history.

In the end, American Primeval is a gripping, visually stunning series that offers a tense and often harrowing experience. While it excels in its depiction of the brutality of the frontier, it falls short of offering the groundbreaking perspective it aspires to. Still, it remains an engaging western series, solid in its execution but not exceptional in its execution of a familiar story.