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Butcher's Crossing

Butcher's Crossing 2023

Directed by

Gabe Polsky

Gabe Polsky

Test your knowledge of Butcher's Crossing with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Butcher's Crossing (2023). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In the arid and sun-blasted year of 1874, the young and impressionable Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger), the son of a clergyman, makes the bold decision to abandon his studies at Harvard University. He embarks on a quest to find excitement in Butcher’s Crossing, a minuscule frontier town nestled in Kansas, thriving on the buffalo hide trade. His heart races at the thought of a grand buffalo hunt, where he teams up with the no-nonsense and tough-as-nails Miller (Nicolas Cage), an experienced hunter who captivates Will with tales of a hidden pass in Colorado, said to be home to one of the last immense buffalo herds. Despite warnings about Miller’s dubious reputation and the inherent dangers of such an expedition, Will invests his entire fortune to fund the journey.

With Will’s backing, they gather supplies and enlist the help of Charlie Hoge (Xander Berkeley), a rough-around-the-edges, one-armed drunkard with a talent for cooking and an affinity for scripture. In addition, Fred Schneider (Jeremy Bobb), a skeptical but pragmatic ‘skinner’, joins their crew, insisting on a salary to express his doubts regarding Miller’s extravagant claims.

Their taxing journey tests their limits, ultimately guiding them to the breathtaking mountain pass, where a veritable ocean of buffalo awaits them. Miller dives headfirst into the hunt, decimating herds and leaving Will and Schneider with the grim task of processing the mountains of slaughtered buffalo. Despite repeated suggestions to slow their pace, Miller remains relentless, while Will begins to numb himself to the horrific sights surrounding him.

After three grueling weeks filled with unmerciful butchery, Schneider points out that their timeline has lapsed and they have garnered an overwhelming stockpile of hides. He suggests returning home before winter’s harshness could entrap them in the mountains for an extended period. However, Miller remains obstinate, and Will sides with his guide.

As a result, the team finds themselves ensnared by a fierce blizzard, enduring a lengthy and grueling winter in the unforgiving mountains. Frustrated, Schneider scorns Hoge, burning his cherished bible in an act of desperation. In a fit of rage, Hoge retaliates by poisoning Schneider’s food, sending the group spiraling into despair and mutual distrust.

Amidst the growing madness, Miller fixates on returning to town with a record-breaking bounty, while Will’s grasp on his sanity begins to slip away. The group resigns themselves to a long, harsh survival in solitude and misery. With the arrival of spring, Schneider uncovers Hoge’s nefarious schemes, leading to a tragic showdown that results in the ruthless dispatch of their treacherous companion. Burdened by their staggering collection of 4,600 hides, Schneider and the remaining members must make the agonizing choice to leave behind nearly half of their precious loot, intent on coming back for it later. However, fate delivers a cruel twist as their weary wagon tumbles from a cliff, dragging Schneider and his hard-earned bounties down into darkness, leaving Miller and Will in stunned silence.

Upon their eventual return to town, they are greeted by a ghostly landscape that starkly contrasts the vibrant market they once knew. The buffalo hide trade has collapsed, transforming their hard-fought spoils into worthless remnants of a lost era. Overwhelmed by the dire turn of events, Miller’s despair erupts as he sets fire to the remnants of the buffalo exchange building, a once-mighty symbol of his dreams now turned to ashes. Yet out of this devastation, Will rises, his spirit battered but his resolve unyielding. When questioned about the worth of their arduous journey, Will’s weathered visage reflects not just defeat, but a newfound wisdom. With quiet determination, he rides off into the wilderness alone, forever transformed by the harrowing experiences that have shaped his soul.

Timeline

Track the key events of Butcher's Crossing (2023) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Will Andrews Abandons Harvard

In the year 1874, young Will Andrews makes a life-altering choice by leaving his studies at Harvard University. His desire for adventure pulls him toward the frontier town of Butcher's Crossing in Kansas, setting the stage for his tumultuous journey ahead.

1874 Harvard University

Arrival in Butcher's Crossing

Will arrives in the small and rugged frontier town of Butcher's Crossing, which thrives on buffalo hide trade. The excitement of the untamed land and the promise of adventure spark his imagination as he meets local hunters and traders.

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas

Meeting Miller

In Butcher's Crossing, Will encounters Miller, an experienced and brash hunter with captivating stories of a hidden pass in Colorado. Despite Miller's dubious reputation, Will is enthralled by his tales of a massive buffalo herd waiting to be hunted.

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas

Investing in the Expedition

Determined to pursue the buffalo hunt, Will invests his entire fortune to fund the expedition. He gathers a team, including Charlie Hoge, a one-armed drunkard, and Fred Schneider, a pragmatic skinner who adds a layer of skepticism to the group.

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas

The Journey Begins

The team sets out on their challenging journey toward the hidden pass in Colorado. As they venture deeper into the wilderness, they face the harsh realities of frontier life and the dangers that lurk in the vast expanse.

Frontier Trail to Colorado

Discovering the Buffalo Herd

After arduous travel, the expedition discovers the breathtaking mountain pass filled with a staggering population of buffalo. Miller enthusiastically engages in the hunt, eager to decimate the herds and secure their fortune.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

The Buffalo Hunt

As the buffalo hunt unfolds, Miller's relentless pursuit leaves Will and Schneider with the grim responsibility of processing the slaughtered buffalo. The atmosphere grows increasingly grim as Will numbs himself to the brutality surrounding him.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Disagreement on Timing

After three grueling weeks of hunting, Schneider urges the group to return home before winter sets in. However, Miller's stubbornness leads Will to side with him, extending their stay in the mountains and jeopardizing their safety.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Caught in a Blizzard

The group finds themselves trapped by a vicious blizzard, forcing them to endure a long and brutal winter in the mountains. Tensions rise as desperation and mistrust take hold, leading to a series of conflicts among the members.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Conflict Among the Team

Frustrated with Hoge, Schneider burns his bible in a moment of desperation, igniting a retaliation from Hoge. This act of betrayal leads to Schneider's poisoning, resulting in a spiral of mistrust and madness within the group.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Spring's Arrival

With the arrival of spring, Schneider exposes Hoge's malicious intentions, culminating in a tragic showdown. The conflict results in Hoge's swift demise, leaving Will and Schneider grappling with their choices and the challenging path ahead.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Decision to Leave Hides Behind

With their collection of 4,600 hides, Schneider insists they must lighten their load and leave half of it behind to escape the mountains. The decision weighs heavily on them as they plan to return for their valuable spoils later.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Tragic Loss

While attempting to transport their remaining bounty, the group's wagon tumbles over a cliff, taking Schneider and the hides into the abyss. This catastrophic event leaves Will and Miller shaken, realizing the futility of their journey.

Mountain Pass, Colorado

Returning to Butcher's Crossing

Upon their return to Butcher's Crossing, Will and Miller confront the stark reality of their circumstances. The once-thriving buffalo hide trade has crumbled, transforming their painstakingly gathered hides into worthless relics of a bygone era.

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas

A Symbolic Fire

Overwhelmed by despair, Miller ignites a fire that consumes the remnants of the buffalo exchange building, symbolizing the destruction of his dreams. In contrast, Will, though battered, emerges with newfound wisdom and determination, ready to face the world alone.

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Butcher's Crossing (2023) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger)

Will Andrews is a young man driven by a thirst for adventure, leaving behind his sheltered life for the wilds of Butcher's Crossing. Initially idealistic, he becomes increasingly plagued by the brutal realities of hunting and the moral compromises he faces under Miller’s influence. His character arc demonstrates a profound transformation from innocence to a hardened understanding of survival.

🎓 Ambition 🚶‍♂️ Transformation

Miller (Nicolas Cage)

Miller is an experienced and reckless hunter whose desire for glory blinds him to the dangers of his pursuits. His charismatic yet morally ambiguous nature draws Will into an obsessive quest for riches, showcasing the darker side of ambition. Miller's downfall reflects the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and the toll it takes on his companions.

🔫 Recklessness 💔 Tragedy

Charlie Hoge (Xander Berkeley)

Charlie Hoge is a one-armed drifter with a complex personality, balancing his affinity for scripture with his struggles with addiction. His character provides a moral contrast to Miller, embodying both wisdom and downfall. As tensions rise, Hoge's desperation leads to a betrayal, emphasizing the role of despair in moral degradation.

📖 Moral Conflict ⚖️ Betrayal

Fred Schneider (Jeremy Bobb)

Fred Schneider serves as the pragmatic voice of reason within the group, constantly skeptical of Miller's grandiose plans. As the journey grows more perilous, his concerns become a reality, fighting to maintain sanity amidst chaos. His character represents the struggle of holding onto one's principles in the face of overwhelming challenges.

🤨 Skepticism 🔧 Practicality

Setting

Uncover the settings of Butcher's Crossing (2023), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

1874

The year 1874 was steeped in the rugged realities of America's Westward Expansion. It was a time when the buffalo herds were rapidly diminishing due to overhunting, impacting the livelihoods of numerous frontier towns. The clash between ambition and morality is underscored by the era's struggles, highlighting the challenges faced by pioneers seeking fortune in a desolate land.

Location

Butcher's Crossing, Kansas, Colorado Mountains

Butcher's Crossing is a small frontier town in Kansas known for its buffalo hide trade. The surrounding Colorado Mountains serve as a breathtaking backdrop for the harrowing journey undertaken by the characters, representing both beauty and danger in the wild. This harsh and unforgiving landscape plays a crucial role in shaping the destinies of those who traverse it.

🏞️ Wilderness 🏙️ Frontier Town

Themes

Explore the core themes of Butcher's Crossing (2023). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🛶

Survival

Survival is a central theme in 'Butcher's Crossing', as the characters grapple with the harsh realities of nature and human greed. Their journey into the mountains exposes them to both external dangers and internal conflicts, pushing them to their limits. Ultimately, survival becomes not just a physical challenge but a test of moral integrity and resilience.

🔥

Desperation

'Butcher's Crossing' captures the essence of desperation, highlighted by the characters' spiraling descent into madness and conflict. As their circumstances grow dire, feelings of betrayal and hopelessness lead to tragic outcomes. This theme illustrates how extreme situations can unravel the bonds of trust and humanity.

💔

Loss

The theme of loss permeates 'Butcher's Crossing', reflecting both physical and emotional journeys. The collapse of the buffalo hide trade symbolizes the end of an era, while the characters face profound personal losses. Their ultimate return to a ghostly town signifies the harsh truth that not all efforts yield reward, resulting in deep introspection.

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