Hostiles (2017)
Kernel Score: 75% · 2,465 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Western, History, Adventure
Released: 2017-12-22
Runtime: 134 minutes
Is Hostiles worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A hardened Army captain escorts a Cheyenne chief across dangerous 1892 territory. Christian Bale is quiet and effective, but the film is slow, bleak and heavy. Viewers rate it decent, not great.
Watch it if you
- like slow, serious Westerns
- enjoy Christian Bale in a restrained role
- want a Western about guilt and reconciliation
Skip it if you
- want a lively, action-packed Western
- dislike grim, violent storytelling
Best for: Serious Western night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Hostiles
- Stream: Philo, Starz
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A legendary Native American-hating Army captain nearing retirement in 1892 is given one last assignment: to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory back to his Montana reservation.
Hostiles parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Hostiles is an R-rated Western depicting brutal violence, massacres, and racial hatred during 1890s frontier conflict.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Contains gunfights, massacres, and brutal violence tied to conflict between the U.S. Cavalry and Native Americans.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Hostiles
If you liked Hostiles, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Dances with Wolves (1990) — 88%: Western about respect between cultures, with sweeping landscapes.
- The Searchers (1956) — 86%: Classic Western about a long, obsessive journey.
- The Revenant (2015) — 84%: Brutal frontier survival story in harsh landscapes.
- Wind River (2017) — 84%: Bleak, atmospheric modern Western with a slow-burn mystery.
- True Grit (2010) — 81%: Rugged Western with a dry-witted, determined lead.
- The Hateful Eight (2015) — 87%: Dark, talky Western with sharp characters.
Director
Scott Cooper
Cast
- Christian Bale as Captain Joseph J. Blocker
- Rosamund Pike as Rosalee Quaid
- Wes Studi as Chief Yellow Hawk
- Jesse Plemons as Lieutenant Rudy Kidder
- Adam Beach as Black Hawk
- Rory Cochrane as Master Sergeant Thomas Metz
- Peter Mullan as Lieutenant Colonel Ross McCowan
- Scott Wilson as Cyrus Lounde
- Paul Anderson as Corporal Tommy Thomas
- Timothée Chalamet as Private Philippe DeJardin
Hostiles FAQ
Is Hostiles worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A hardened Army captain escorts a Cheyenne chief across dangerous 1892 territory. Christian Bale is quiet and effective, but the film is slow, bleak and heavy. Viewers rate it decent, not great.
Where can I watch Hostiles?
In the US you can stream Hostiles on Philo and Starz and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Hostiles OK for kids?
Hostiles is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Hostiles is an R-rated Western depicting brutal violence, massacres, and racial hatred during 1890s frontier conflict.
What movies are like Hostiles?
If you liked Hostiles, try Dances with Wolves, The Searchers, The Revenant and Wind River.