Netflix fans can’t stop watching the star of Daredevil Born Again’s forgotten directorial debut.
The Kid was only just made available on the streaming platform over the last couple of days. It has already earned a spot on the top ten most watched movies among subscribers.
Initially released back in 2019, the film is a retelling of the legend of infamous Western figure Billy The Kid. At the time of writing it is the third most watched title on the streaming platform just behind Paddington In Peru and A Simple Favour.
It was directed by Vincent D’onofrio who is more well known for his acting credits including Men In Black and Full Metal Jacket. He more recently portrays Kingpin in the Disney+ series Daredevil Born Again. It is a role he originally took on for the Netflix version of the series.
However, The Kid was not the first time D’onofrio was in the director’s chair as he also helmed an independent horror musical called Don’t Go Into the Woods released in 2010. This was his long awaited follow-up, although many fans may be surprised to discover he has directed at all.
The film follows a young boy called Rio, played by Jake Schur in his first ever role, who is forced to go on the run across the American Southwest in a desperate attempt to save his sister from his villainous uncle, played by Chris Pratt.
Along the way, he encounters Sheriff Pat Garrett, played by Ethan Hawke, who happens to be on the hunt for the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid, played by Dane DeHaan. Rio finds himself increasingly entwined in the lives of these two legendary figures as the cat and mouse game of Billy the Kid’s final year of life plays out.
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Ultimately Rio is forced to choose which type of man he is going to become, the outlaw or the man of valour, and will use this self-realisation in a final act to save his family. The Kid is finding a whole new audience since being made available on the streamer, moreso than it did during its limited cinematic release.
While only managing a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has many fans singing its praises. One, sharing their thoughts online claimed: “Best Western I have ever scene. Ethan Hawk giving his usual stellar performance. Christ Pratt has missed his calling playing the hero so many times. His portrayal as a villain is so moving. Vincent D’onofrio direction is spectacular making everyone’s performance believable.
“More than that he masterfully sets up tension, action, and dialogue making you enjoy the slow parts and follow along with every detail of the action. Masterful. The story is one of the best moral demonstrations of courage and bravery providing a stark contrast of the live long criminal Billy the Kid who is demonstrated through the events and his history as having no fear. Using this compare and contrast the moral victory of embracing fear to win the day. It’s so amazing and moving.”
Another also highlighted the performances of the cast, in particular an unrecognisable Chris Pratt, who took on a different role from what audiences are used to seeing him play, making him arguably unrecognisable. They said: “”It’s dark, and at times deeply disturbing. (Those times are basically every time Chris Pratt is on the screen.) It’s gritty and sad, but it also packs a positive message.”
They continued: “I’m honestly still a bit shocked at how smart this movie is. Every time I watch it, something else delights and impresses me. Chris Pratt… I don’t even want to talk about him, but that’s because he did such a disgustingly good job as the evil uncle. It was a whole new Pratt.”
The Kid is streaming on Netflix.
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