There's more to life than surviving in this trailer for SLOW WEST

The last time Michael Fassbender was involved in a western, it was the supernatural comic book adaptation Jonah Hex. But since we – and probably everybody who actually acted in Jonah Hex – spend most days trying our best to forget that that movie even exists, we’re just going to go ahead and say that the Oscar-nominated actor is now actually making his western debut in Slow West.

Written and directed by newcomer John Maclean, whose only previous claims to fame was writing songs for movies like High Fidelity and It’s All Gone Pete Tong, Slow West sees Fassbender as a mysterious drifter who accompanies a 16-year old boy (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes‘ Kodi Smit-McPhee) on a cross-country trip to find the youngster’s dream girl. That almost sounds like it could be one of those dry and dusty westerns about male bonding, right?

Apparently not, according to this rip roaring trailer filled with snarky dialogue, crazy shootouts, colorful characters and musical accompaniment that makes me want to grab my partner and dosey doe!

Set in late 19th Century Colorado and centering on a young man’s epic search for the love of his life. The exceptional cast includes Michael Fassbender as Silas Selleck, a mysterious and inscrutable stranger acting as the paid protector to sixteen-year-old Scottish aristocrat Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is on a reckless journey through the American Wild West. Ben Mendelsohn crosses their paths as Payne, the leader of an intimidating posse of outlaws on their journey to find Rose Ross (newcomer Caren Pistorius) the humble farmer’s daughter who fled from Jay’s life.

If you recall, Slow West was on my list of lesser known movies in 2015 to look out for, and this trailer appears to fully justify that status. What’s more, the film debuted at Cannes to some really strong reviews, with many saying that Maclean’s balancing of tonal changes from serious introspective drama to just plain fun western romp is just excellent.

Slow West also stars Ben Mendelsohn, Rory McCann and Caren Pistorious. It’s scheduled for international release on May 15, 2015.

Last Updated: March 27, 2015