The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

R

2018

2h 13m

Western

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

235 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An anthology of six short films that take place in 19th-century post-Civil War era during the settling of the Old West.

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Critics Consensus

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs avoids anthology pitfalls with a consistent collection tied together by the Coen brothers' signature blend of dark drama and black humor.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

02/24/2020

As with the Coens' oeuvre on the whole, the various stories are unified by an impressive sense of craft and a lamentable sense of smugness.

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Roxana Hadadi

Pajiba

02/07/2019

It's disappointing that the Coens don't even try to upend any classic Western clichés in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - they apply some grim humor to various situations, but that's about it.

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Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

01/26/2019

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs feels like the Coen brothers' B-sides compilation... . That smugness to which the Coens are susceptible is in plentiful supply here.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

07/14/2024

4/5

A fun, playful homage to the Western genre that boasts laughs and excitement.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

08/24/2022

A-

The stories that involve the least efflorescent Coen dialogue — the ones driven by stark silences or old coots talking to their mules — come off the best.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/19/2022

4.5/5

From the opening credits to the final scroll the Coens lean into their creative freedom and show off an undeniable joy of filmmaking.

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tim C

@tc347415 Mar 3

Very entertaining. I liked the idea of different stories. The interaction of the characters was extra special to me. The acting was high quality and the stories were interesting.

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John F

@RT84127024 Feb 20

Kind of sad how Hollywood filmmakers think it's still okay to make films like these that portray non-white characters as nameless savages while telling stories about white people.

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tarek e

@Tarekelkhazen Feb 4

A pure enjoyment from start to finish!! Surely not for everyone’s taste but you cannot deny the genuine work of plot/ writings, cast and direction!! A genius unique new genre on its own!! Very few times ive watched similar masterpieces

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Christiaan L

@TheMovieWatcher Feb 3

What a complete load of crap. There is absolutely no story line. Can't believe this is the type of movies that gets you an Oscar Nominee.

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Daysha B.

@DayshatheCinephile Jan 10

A movie that throws you off in the beginning of unbeknownst of the anthology. The cinematography perfectly captures the gorgeous scenic views of the midwest and the Coen brothers definitely knew how to capture the characters and their layers, sometimes without a word being spoken. The back and forth of emotions you feel throughout this movie makes it all the worth while.

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Movie G.

@Intellectual Jan 6

A movie for intellectuals like me.

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Tim Blake Nelson

Buster Scruggs (Segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")

Willie Watson

The Kid (Segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")

David Krumholtz

Frenchman in Saloon (Segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")

James Franco

Cowboy (Segment "Near Algodones")

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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Trailer 2

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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

An anthology of six short films that take place in 19th-century post-Civil War era during the settling of the Old West.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Annapurna Pictures
Rating: R (Some Strong Violence)
Genre: Western, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 16, 2018
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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