Netflix’s gritty new limited series “American Primeval” immerses viewers in a brutal, uncompromising world of violence and cultural collision, as the American West balances between encroaching settlers and Indigenous nations fighting for survival.
Directed by Peter Berg and written by Mark L. Smith, the show puts the spotlight on a little-known historical tragedy—the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre—as a catalyst for a wider exploration of the era’s pervasive bloodshed and discord.
“American Primeval,” starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, intertwines the stories of a grieving local named Isaac, raised on a Shoshone reservation, and a mother named Sara, who is searching for her husband amidst the chaos. Their paths collide as they navigate the unforgiving landscape, where peace is an increasingly rare commodity.
“This is America…1857,” the show’s synopsis ominously declares. “Up is down, pain is everywhere, and innocence and tranquility are losing the battle to hatred and fear. Peace is a shrinking minority, and very few possess grace—even fewer know compassion.”
To capture the grim realities of the time period, Berg and his team eschewed sound stages and green screens, opting instead to shoot on location in the rugged New Mexico wilderness. The result is a visceral, uncompromising depiction of the era’s brutality, with Kitsch and Gilpin’s characters often finding themselves in grueling, bone-crunching combat.
“We wanted to try and achieve a certain level of intensity,” Berg explained. “It’s not stylistic and visually appealing. It’s bold and direct, perfectly fitting the era and the narrative we aimed to convey.
The show’s Indigenous consultant, Julie O’Keefe, underscored the importance of authenticity, noting that “when I think of all the stories that are out there—574 tribes plus hundreds of thousands of stories—they’re all violent. I believe that the events that transpired within the community I am a part of, and the treatment we endured, accurately depict the situation.
With its sprawling ensemble cast that includes Dane DeHaan, Jai Courtney, and Shea Whigham, “American Primeval” promises to be a harrowing exploration of the violent intersection of culture, religion, and community in the American West. Viewers will grapple with the harsh realities of a tumultuous era that still echoes through the decades as the characters fight for survival in this unforgiving landscape. On January 9, 2025, “American Primeval” will debut on Netflix, immersing you in a world of unrelenting brutality.