“The Unholy Trinity Rides In, But Leaves Empty-Handed”.

The Western genre produces both successes and failures, yet I decided to watch The Unholy Trinity, Roadside Attractions' latest release, with an open mind because I support the two main actors.

The only thing that surpasses The Unholy Trinity's title in holiness is the massive void where depth, originality, and excitement should be. Although this Western revenge film attempts to tackle important themes such as family values and justice alongside redemption, it becomes as lifeless and dull as the empty Montana scenery in its aimless dramatic shots.

Let us begin with the most apparent observation: the prominent actors in the cast appear to be motivated primarily by financial remuneration. Pierce Brosnan's portrayal of Sheriff Gabriel Dove lacks emotional depth, resembling a reading from a script. At the same time, he seemingly reminisces about his days as James Bond, characterized by tuxedos and martinis. Meanwhile, one of my favorite actors, Samuel L. Jackson, appears to have finished all of his scenes in a single weekend.

Mr. Jackson delivers his monologues with an enthusiasm akin to that of an individual reviewing residual payments. Tim Daly's limited presence as Isaac Broadway yields minimal impact, which ultimately proves advantageous. Brandon Lessard, as Henry, is... present. That's about all one can say. But at least the alluring Katrina Bowden has a nice scene, and David Arquette pops in for a cameo.

His portrayal lacks dynamic range and doesn't convey the necessary charisma or gravitas while failing to express the required emotional conflict. His performance consists of prolonged staring, occasional grunts, and a slow delivery of lines as though he is waiting for his cue cards to arrive. The mission to seek vengeance for his father appears to him less as a noble endeavor and more akin to searching for his parked horse.

The captivating Katrina Bowden stands out, but unfortunately, the other female characters in this story do not fare as well. They come straight from the "Old West Stereotypes for Dummies" playbook, taking on roles such as saloon girls, stoic wives, and grieving widows. These women typically appear in only a couple of scenes and primarily serve to motivate the lead male character.

Director Richard Gray forces every scene to its absolute limit, creating an excruciatingly slow pace where molasses seems like a bullet train for speed. The climax shootouts arrive with the amateurish execution typical of a student film project—awkward staging combined with poor editing results in scenes completely lacking dramatic tension. The director calls "action" with a nonchalant shrug while remaining out of sight behind the camera.

The potential existed for Western landscapes and famous actors to bring a traditional revenge story to life, but The Unholy Trinity wastes every opportunity. This movie feels like an imitation made by people who have watched numerous Westerns without grasping their authentic appeal.

The treasure remains hidden beneath the ground while entertainment prospects have also disappeared.

Final Grade: D+

The Unholy Trinity opens in theaters today.