Watch Deadwood: The Movie

Deadwood: The Movie is a 2019 Western film that is both a wrap-up of the three-season HBO series Deadwood, and a continuation of the story seventeen years after the show's finale. The film is directed by Daniel Minahan and written by David Milch, who also wrote the original series. It features the return of beloved characters such as Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), and Alma Ellsworth (Molly Parker).

The movie starts by bringing viewers up to speed with what each of the characters has been up to since the end of the series. It's now 1889, and most of the characters have moved on from the small South Dakota town of Deadwood. Seth has become the town's sheriff and is still haunted by the ghosts of his past. Al Swearengen is still the owner of the Gem Saloon and still up to his old tricks. Alma Ellsworth is now a wealthy widow living in New York City, but her past still haunts her.

However, the arrival of a new threat brings the characters back to Deadwood. George Hearst (Gerald McRaney), a wealthy businessman who has long been an adversary of the town, returns to Deadwood with political aspirations. Swearengen, who has been threatened by Hearst in the past, is immediately suspicious of his motives.

The majority of Deadwood: The Movie revolves around the characters' efforts to protect their town and their way of life from Hearst's machinations. Along the way, we get to see the same vivid storytelling and complex character development that made the original show such a creative triumph.

One of the most striking things about this film is how, despite being set seventeen years after the series finale, it perfectly recreates the look and feel of the original show. From the rough-and-tumble Deadwood streets to the smoky interiors of the Gem Saloon, the film perfectly captures the gritty aesthetic that made the show so distinctive. Likewise, the writing is every bit as sharp as in the original series, with whip-smart dialogue and a deep understanding of these characters' rich histories.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with the actors slipping back into their iconic roles seamlessly. Timothy Olyphant is a magnetic presence as Seth Bullock, a man constantly battling himself as much as any adversary. Ian McShane's Al Swearengen is still a force of nature, equal parts villain and antihero. Molly Parker brings a quiet intensity to Alma Ellsworth, a woman who has perhaps changed the most in the years since the series ended.

Although Deadwood: The Movie is designed as a conclusion to the series, it is also a deeply satisfying standalone film. Viewers who have never seen the original show will be able to follow the plot and appreciate the rich character development. However, for fans of the series, there are numerous callbacks and Easter eggs that will make it an even more rewarding experience.

In short, Deadwood: The Movie is a masterful conclusion to one of the most acclaimed TV series of all time. It perfectly captures the spirit of the original show while also providing a satisfying conclusion to the characters' stories. Whether you're a longtime fan of Deadwood or a newcomer, this movie is not to be missed.

Deadwood: The Movie is a 2019 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.