TV writer, producer, and directorTaylor Sheridanmay have been popularized by his neo-Western series,Yellowstone,but as it turns out,he actually made his directorial debut with a horror movie that he now publicly dislikes. Sheridan has been part of the entertainment industry since the 1990s. Though he began his career as an actor, he eventually transitioned to screenwriting, and eventually showrunning. Currently, he has his hands full running anempire of popular neo-Western and thriller series, but long ago, he dipped his toes into another, more unexpected genre.
In general, audiences tend to be unfamiliar withSheridan’s filmographyprior toYellowstone.Few people are aware that Sheridan wrote hit movies such asHell or High WaterandSicario.In fact, Sheridan still has his hands in the movie business, with one of his most recent projects being 2021’sThose Who Wish Me Dead,an action thriller that he wrote, directed, and produced himself. However,the most obscure project on Sheridan’s resume, hands down, would have to be his first ever feature film,Vile.
The First Movie Taylor Sheridan Directed & What He Said About It
What Critics Have Said About Vile
In 2011, Sheridan made his directorial debut with a horror movie titledVile.The film follows a group of friends who are tricked into taking part in a twisted experiment after helping a woman at a gas station.Over the course of 22 hours, the captives are forced to endure horrible pain so that a chemical in their brain can be extractedfor later use. According to Sheridan, this “bad horror movie"was not his own project, but was written by a friend who asked Sheridan to direct. Sheridan noted: “I kind of kept the ship pointed straight,"(Rotten Tomatoes.)
Taylor Sheridan Has Only Directed 3 Movies In His Career, And I Know Exactly What Film He Should Make Next
Taylor Sherian is known for creating neo-Western TV series, but he’s also spent time as a director, and there’s one project that’s perfect for him.
Essentially, Sheridan admits thatVileis technically his directorial debut, but he had no emotional attachment to the story, and really just stepped in for a friend. Additionally, his judgment of the film as bad isn’t too far off. On Rotten Tomatoes,Vilehas no critics score and a 30% audience score.Viewers were mostly satisfied with the movie’s gore, but found that the story was full of plot holes, and were highly frustrated with the ending. Ultimately, it makes sense why Sheridan has stepped back from this film.
Wind River Makes Far More Sense As A Taylor Sheridan-Directed Movie
Wind River Proves What Sheridan Is Capable Of
Considering thatVilehas nothing to do with Sheridan in terms of storytelling, it would make more sense to considerWind Riveras his directorial debut. This 2017neo-Western crime dramafollows a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracker and an FBI agent who team up to investigate the murder of a woman on a reservation. UnlikeVile,Wind Riveris perfectly in line with the types of stories Sheridan likes to tell. The movie combines a bleak Western setting with a mysterious crime to create a gripping and well-crafted tale.
Hell or High Water (2016)
Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)
Finestkind (2023)
Producer
Wind Riveris also a good representation of Sheridan because it proves what he is capable of. As both the writer and the director,audiences are able to see Sheridan’s talent for words, and also, his visual eye. The film is completely influenced by him and his tastes, which is not true forVilein the slightest. Therefore, those who want to get a taste ofTaylor Sheridan’searlier work should pick upWind Riverrather thanVile.
