I used to not really like western films, but as I've learned more about film criticism, I've taken to the genre with a lot more enthusiasm. There isn't any specific aspect that draws me to them, but every time I watch a good one, I just get sucked right in. And Hostiles is one of my very favorites.

The story, set in the 1892 frontier, follows renowned Army captain Joe Blocker (the Dark Knight trilogy's Christian Bale), who has been tasked with escorting Cheyenne chief, Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi), and his family on a journey from New Mexico, to their tribal homeland of Montana.

Blocker has nothing but the most bitter contempt for Yellow Hawk and his people, viewing them as nothing more than mere savages. His mission grows further complicated when the traveling party encounters a widow named Rosalie (Gone Girl star Rosamund Pike), whose family has been murdered by a Comanche tribe. Against insurmountable odds, the group's only chance for survival is to lower their defenses and learn to trust one another.

Although a lot of classics have emerged from the western genre, it's very clear if you've seen more than one that there is a formula: two or more people from opposite walks of life embark on a perilous trek to rescue or kill someone. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing; in fact, it makes a good western very difficult to mess up. All you have to do is avoid straying too far from the formula, and fill the frame with pleasant scenery and acting. And Hostiles doesn't miss a beat.

Bale is exceptional in the role of Blocker, unbreaking in his prejudice for the Native people. But he also has a lot of traditional values and customs that he holds to, so he's not entirely evil. No one really is in this picture; everyone is always just looking at someone else from a different angle.

If there's any theme most prevalent in Hostiles, it would definitely be that of prejudice and discrimination, and the importance of putting aside these issues in order to survive. This method of writing the theme directly into the narrative is a call-back to the John Wayne classic, The Searchers, which also tackled racial tensions between the cowboys and Native Americans. The screening I attended was followed by a Q&A with talented director Scott Cooper, who spoke about the theme's relevance in today's political and social climate. It's very hard and remarkably commendable to get that point across without overly politicizing it or forcing a point of view, so that end, well done, Mr. Cooper.

On a technical level, Hostiles is unbelievable to witness. Max Richter's original music is sweeping and immersive, and the cinematography is lush and incredible. Every new location fills the frame with breathtaking and inviting shots, depicting the untamed beauty of the environment in a way that clashes sharply with the constant threat of danger at hand.

The result truly catches you off guard every time a shootout invades the scene, which proves to be a visceral attack on the senses. This can be a good and a bad thing; on the one hand, the action isn't constant, but rather comes in short-round bursts. It does a lot with very little, which is highly commendable. On the other hand, the gunshots sound sharper and more metallic than any other I've heard on film, and for viewers with sensitive hearing, it can be rather trying to get through. It doesn't make the film any less good, but on a sound design level, you should definitely know your limits before seeing this one.

Hostiles clocks in at just over two hours, and doesn't waste a second of its runtime. The acting is reflective of the script's powerful themes, the music and visuals are breathtaking, and aside from the sound design's potential to be jarring for some viewers, I can't think of a single gaping flaw I have with this one. Similar to action classics like Terminator 2 or Logan, Hostiles is characterized by overwhelming violence but ends on a high note that dares the viewer to find the light in the darkness they face. Whenever it comes out in theaters, I am strongly planning on rounding up a group of friends to rewatch it just to see their reactions to it, and until then, I give Hostiles four out of four stars.