I know you heard about Netflix’s new Black western that came to town recently called The Harder They Fall! But if you live under a rock, here’s what the film is all about. (Before I start kicking dust in yo eyes and shit with this The Harder They Fall review.)

You see, this Blackity Black western, is about an outlaw named Nat Love (played by Jonathan Majors), who’s out for revenge, due to childhood traumas.

And when Nat finds out his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) somehow managed to wiggle his way out of prison, he’s hell bent on finishing what he started.

And while the film is directed by Jeymes Samuel, and produced by Shawn Carter (Jay Z for those of you refusing to call this man by his government name), and pretty much everyone’s most anticipated Netflix film of the year, something feels a tad off.

Allow me to explain.

Or at least try my very best, to spin these outrageous feelings into words.

The Harder They Fall Review

Okay look, The Harder They Fall is definitely a Netflix must see!

It’s everything you want from a Black western. The story itself is top notch. I thought the twist at the ending was incredibly clever. 

Oh and this isn’t one of those movies with a ton of great names just for namesake! Everyone holds their weight!

Although, I gotta give my props to Deon Cole, RJ Cyler and Danielle Deadwyler!

Everybody and they mama knows Idris, LaKeith, Jonathan, Regina, Delroy and Zazie gon’ show out! But the performances from Deon, RJ and Danielle were outstanding! I mean, they legit held their own! And to be amongst such big names and to still have people notice you because you yourself are absolutely amazing is incredible!

But I’d be lying if I said I thought The Harder They Fall was a GREAT film!

I mean the beginning was a tad bit traumatic, and I wasn’t expecting that at all! (So be prepared to hold on to your seats from the get go!)

And if you HATE seeing blood, be prepared to close your eyes because these blood splatters were clearly sent from the devil himself, and imported straight from a slasher film! I cringed every damn time, despite knowing the shit was fake as can be! (And I don’t even think I felt this bad watching Candyman! Crazy I know!)

Nonetheless, while The Harder They Fall doesn’t disappoint. (Even the scoring is on point!) I’m just as shocked as you probably are that I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would! And I’m not sure why!

I expected this to be one of my top films this year. Black western? LaKeith? Regina? Jonathan foine ass Majors? Clearly this was gonna be a solid film.

But for some reason, I don’t feel as excited now that I’ve watched it, as I once did leading up to it’s release! And again, I have absolutely no friggin’ clue why!

Maybe it’s the way they used Zazie to light-wash Mary’s character that still bothers me?

Knowing that Mary was a big, dark skin woman, and they used someone completely opposite (when there are actresses who would have done the true Mary justice, including Lovecraft Country‘s Wunmi Mosaku) just don’t sit right with me.

I get that the movie is fictional, but that’s really just a lame ass excuse to explain the misuse of talent here! Sure movies aren’t supposed to be our only source of education on Black figures, but think of all the plus size dark skin girls who could have seen their badass on screen this year! Don’t bitch about In The Heights and then let The Harder They Fall slide through.

It’s the same issue, whether they’d like to admit it or not, and we have to be more mindful these days!

On the other hand, maybe this was just too much of a “regular degular” Western for me to feel excited? It feels true to genre, and maybe because of that, because there was nothing SHOCKING, maybe that’s why I feel this way?

I mean … I’m comparing apples to oranges here, but when I first saw Candyman, I was completely blown away with how much I enjoyed it. I expected that same wow factor with The Harder They Fall! And maybe THAT was my problem?

I expected it!

But I’m not mad that this one didn’t live up to the crazy standards I have set in my head and here’s why.

We need more Black films! Period.

I’m okay if 80% of the new Black films we get are just “good” movies. They don’t have to all be great! And that’s because we’re sorely lacking in Black stories!

I just want more Black stories about Black folks, doing Black shit! It’s really just that f*cking simple!

Normally, when a film, especially a BLACK film, doesn’t live up to my expectations, I’m disappointed. But that’s not how I feel y’all! I enjoyed The Harder They Fall.

There’s just something that’s missing to push it over the edge to greatness. I’m not sure what it is, and I can’t quite explain the madness, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we NEEDED THIS FILM!

All the westerns I’ve ever watched growing up as a kid, were about white folks.

Barely a Black folk in sight, unless they were filling the stereotypical quotas.

And now here we have ourselves a western full of Black magic!

Sure it has a crappy remix of a reggae song that I truly hold dear to my heart, but that’s besides the point.

So despite how I feel at the moment, I’m not mad I watched this, and I recommend that everyone does watch it.

Keeping in mind that there are a few triggering scenes to beware of.

And I look forward to, what I hope, will be a sequel! Because despite how ANY of us feel about this movie, there’s not a doubt in my mind that it wasn’t needed!