The US Midwest, 1850s. Army deserter George Biggs is saved from death by headstrong spinster Mary Bee Cuddy. Mary, who cares for three mentally unstable women, is on her way to Iowa. Recognizing that the journey will be dangerous, Mary asks George to accompany her across the harsh landscape.

Not since 1992’s Unforgiven has a western at once revived and furthered the waning genre. Tommy Lee Jones’ sublime The Homesman and its revelatory consideration of the white woman’s experience on the frontier, does just that. Starring Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep, James Spader, and Jones himself.