Western dramas are all the craze in the 2020s.
One could argue that Taylor Sheridan has a lot to do with that. Yellowstone was a massive hit, and the spinoffs from that flagship show just keep coming. The Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler focused Yellowstone spinoff titled Dutton Ranch will premiere in late 2025 (between September and December), the series that will continue Kayce Dutton’s story, called The Marshals, will premiere in early 2026 (between January and April), and another anthology series in 1944 will air later in 2026. There’s also another series under the name The Madison that’s believed to be coming in late 2025 or early 2026.
Translation: people are yearning for the western drama format.
And this upcoming movie from the mind of Tony Tost – who directed and wrote the screenplay – looks like it falls right in line with the genre of movies and TV that has had an impressive run in Hollywood as of late. After originally being titled “National Anthem,” the movie was renamed to Americana. It’s synopsis lays out a story that seems familiar, but is ultimately unique to the film:
“When a rare artifact falls onto the black market in a small South Dakota town, the lives of local outsiders and outcasts violently intertwine.”
Small town? Check. Something that belongs to someone that may actually belong to someone else? Check. Violence ensues? That’s a big ol’ check.
That being said, I’m not trying to take away from this critically acclaimed crime thriller. It does look action packed and intriguing as they come, and it boasts quite the impressive cast. Sydney Sweeney, who seems like she’s in almost everything in the modern era of TV and film, stars as Penny Jo Poplin alongside Paul Walter Hauser, who’s character is named Lefty Ledbetter. Pop star Halsey is also in the movie playing a main role.
What might be the most interesting part of the Americana story is it’s road to a theatrical release. The project was actually filmed back in 2022, and was released in March of 2023 as a part of the South By Southwest Film & TV Festival. So why is a three-year-old movie just now getting an August 22, 2025 release? Well, it all stemmed from Lionsgate obtaining the rights to the worldwide distribution of the film in March of 2024, and now they’re scheduling the release for later this year.
And some might see Sydney Sweeney’s casting in Americana as an attempt for the movie studio to capitalize on her popularity. Prepare to read a double negative… that’s surely not not what’s going on, but I have to say that she’s quite the talented actress. In her breakout role in Euphoria, she steals every scene that she’s in (I somehow noticed that you, the reader, eye-rolled when you read that). And Quentin Tarantino even casted her in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and that’s got to stand for something.
Based upon the trailer alone, this movie looks like one heck of a ride. Paul Walter Hauser has shown off his versatility in recent projects, so Americana might be one that you want to throw on the calendar.
Check it out:
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