This iconic modern western is finally free to stream ‣ Diverse Daily

When I was a youngster, I remember watching alongside my father the dusty shootouts and grizzled bravado across films like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, High Noon, Once Upon a Time in the West, and Unforgiven, among others. They were movies that firmly encapsulated the importance of personal dignity and integrity and acting accordingly in order to protect it. Western justice became a brand that later cinematic movies outside the straight-laced genre would hearken back to with revenge action thrillers such as Taken, John Wick, Man on Fire, or neo-Westerns like Normal. But Westerns themselves also evolved past the rugged desert and intense stare-downs beneath the blistering sun. They’ve even learned how to bury the lede and not assume any one person is a true hero or villain. Quentin Tarantino is a master at subverting expectations with regard to character profiles.

The director’s most notorious Western, The Hateful Eight, operates in these shades of grey. And there’s one other element of filmmaking that Tarantino has truly thrived on. That is the ability to cultivate anticipation through enrapturing dialogue. It’s a distinctive modern Western that still keeps Tarantino’s signature violence intact while imbuing the genre with a healthy blend of isolation and tense conversation. It also kicks the cactus-ridden landscape to the curb in favor of the harsh, snowy environment of Wyoming.

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The Hateful Eight is a one-of-a-kind Western

Mystery, suspicion, and unforgettable characters make this movie a worthwhile watch

Without giving too much detail away, the film centers around a group of eight strangers, a premise easily given away already by the film’s title. This mixture of the rough-and-tumble types finds themselves confined in the same small space to wait out a perilous blizzard. The group consists of bounty hunters, a prisoner, a sheriff, a former Confederate general, a hangman, and a cowboy. This eclectic bunch has threads and motivations that connect all of them in ways that are only uncovered through dialogue fueled by their forced confinement. It’s an exquisite piece of filmmaking that includes the likes of musical maestro Ennio Morricone. If you don’t recognize that name, then you might need your Western fan card revoked. The Italian composer has a storied history with Western cinema that stretches across all of Sergio Leon’s films, including the most notable Western soundtrack of all time, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

This snowbound mystery’s claustrophobic setting makes the feature feel like a grand stage play. It’s not the same kind of Western Tarantino produced with Django Unchained, which featured more sprawling action. This is a slower, more suspenseful affair that will leave you glued to your seat. If you haven’t yet benefited from a viewing of The Hateful Eight, you’re in luck. The movie will soon be free to stream

Now’s your chance to watch this modern western without paying a dime

There’s no excuse not to have this one on your watchlist

All 2 hours and 49 minutes of The Hateful Eight can be streamed on Tubi starting on November 1st. This free streaming platform is no stranger to great Western cinema, with films like Bone Tomahawk, Open Range, and Silverado all available on the platform. If you’re new to free platforms like Tubi, just be aware that you’ll have to deal with intermittent commercial breaks. It’s how all of this stays free to viewers. But it’s a small price to pay for an incredibly entertaining film like The Hateful Eight. You do not need an account to watch movies on Tubi initially, though the platform may prod you to do so after multiple viewings. However, I’d recommend one anyway if you want to curate a watch list.

The Hateful Eight features an all-star cast that includes Kurt Russel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, and Tim Roth, among others. Striking cinematography and a brilliant narrative all make this a perfect Sunday afternoon. So, set a reminder and be sure to check out The Hateful Eight on Tubi on November 1st.