News of the World
2020 · Directed by Paul Greengrass
Original language: English
- drama
- western
- adventure
The story
A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped.
What it’s like
Wide, sun-bleached landscapes dominate: dusty prairie under a hard blue sky, frontier towns of weathered wood and tallow-lit rooms, and long stretches of open country where a wagon creeps across the frame. Paul Greengrass shoots with his characteristic restless handheld camera, but here it is steadied into a more classical western rhythm, with patient two-shots across a campfire and close attention to faces weathered by sun and worry. Colour is muted, earthy ochres and greys, and the sound design leans on hoofbeats, creaking wheels, wind over grass and a sparse, mournful score that rarely swells. The vibe is weathered, contemplative and quietly tender, the sort of film that suits a slow weekend afternoon or a long drive where the scenery does most of the talking. Pacing is deliberate, with long stretches of road conversation punctuated by sudden, sharp bursts of violence in shootouts and skirmishes; these land hard and brief rather than lingering. The emotional register is grave and humane, following an aging, war-scarred man slowly learning to care for a traumatised child who has lost her family. Violence is moderate: gunfights and a few killings, with some blood but no gore. It suits adults who enjoy character-driven westerns and a thoughtful, unhurried story.
More films like News of the World
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved News of the Worldand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
