The Unholy Trinity (2024) – Western Drama Review, Plot & What Critics Are Saying

The Unholy Trinity is a gritty Western drama set in post-Civil War Montana, where revenge, justice, and redemption collide. Directed by Richard Gray, the film follows Henry Broadway (Brandon Lessard), a young man thrust into a brutal manhunt after the murder of his father. Teaming up with Sheriff Gabriel Dove (Pierce Brosnan), a moral compass with a violent past, and the enigmatic ex-slave St. Christopher (Samuel L. Jackson), the trio’s uneasy alliance begins to fracture as secrets unravel and greed surfaces.

The Unholy Trinity (2024) poster

With stunning frontier visuals, slow-burning tension, and morally complex characters, the film explores what happens when loyalty and vengeance walk hand in hand. Though not without flaws—uneven pacing and underdeveloped arcs—the powerful performances, especially by Jackson and Brosnan, give this Western a brooding, memorable edge. It’s a dark, symbolic tale of how even righteous men can be part of an unholy trinity.

What Is The Unholy Trinity?

• Title: The Unholy Trinity (2024)
• Genre: Western action/drama
• Director: Richard Gray
• Writer: Lee Zachariah
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Rated: R
• Starring: Pierce Brosnan (Gabriel Dove), Samuel L. Jackson (St. Christopher), Brandon Lessard (Henry Broadway), Veronica Ferres, Q’orianka Kilcher, Tim Daly (Wikipedia).

Plot Overview

Set in 1870s Trinity, Montana, the film follows Henry Broadway (Lessard), who witnesses his father Isaac’s execution after being wrongly convicted. Isaac entrusts Henry with a final wish: expose the truth and seek justice (Wikipedia).

Paris Brosnan and Gianni Capaldi in The Unholy Trinity (2024)

Henry arrives in town, intent on revenge. He confronts Sheriff Gabriel Dove (Brosnan), who informs him the corrupt sheriff is already dead. Meanwhile, St. Christopher (Jackson), a former enslaved man with hidden agendas around stolen gold, manipulates events from the shadows (Wikipedia).

The story escalates with gunfights, ideological tension, and moral dilemmas, culminating in a showdown at the church. Dove kills St. Christopher as Henry watches, then Dove offers Henry a badge—signifying his growth over vengeance. Instead, Henry scatters his father’s ashes and departs, symbolically shedding his family's legacy (Wikipedia).

Production & Release Timeline

• Filming took place at Yellowstone Film Ranch, Montana, under a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement amid the strike (Wikipedia).
• Premiere: October 12, 2024 – Zurich Film Festival (Wikipedia).
• Widespread Release: June 13, 2025 – distributed by Saban Films & Roadside Attractions (Wikipedia).
• Streaming Debut: July 2025 via various VOD and eventual streaming platforms (Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia).

Cast Highlights

• Pierce Brosnan portrays Shed Sheriff Gabriel Dove with nuanced charisma, delivering measured performance amid Western tropes (Roger Ebert).
• Samuel L. Jackson steals scenes as St. Christopher—with swagger and moral ambiguity (Roger Ebert).
• Brandon Lessard’s Henry is earnest but underdeveloped, causing mixed reactions (Wikipedia).
• Supporting cast: Q’orianka Kilcher, Veronica Ferres, Tim Daly, David Arquette add depth (Third Coast Review).

Strengths & Weaknesses

What Works

• Strong performances from Brosnan and Jackson elevate the material (Reddit).
• Cinematography captures authentic Western landscapes (Wikipedia).
• Ample action sequences and moral undertones give fans food for thought (Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, Casey\'s Movie Mania).

Where It Falters

• Critics cite a convoluted plot and uneven pacing (Cereal At Midnight).
• Henry’s character development feels weak compared to the supporting leads (Third Coast Review).
• Some describe it as generic or B-grade, praised only for star power (Next Best Picture, Third Coast Review, The Washington Post, TheWrap, Roger Ebert).

Ratings Snapshot

• Rotten Tomatoes: 34% critics; 66% audience (Rotten Tomatoes).
• RogerEbert.com: 2.5/4 stars; “better-than-decent” (Roger Ebert).
• Washington Post: Underwhelming but redeemable due to cast (The Washington Post).
• The Wrap: “Mediocre Western that doesn’t deserve Samuel L. Jackson” (TheWrap).

Here’s Part 2 of your comprehensive, SEO-optimized Blogger article for “The Unholy Trinity (2024)”, including deeper themes, box office & streaming info, and critical analysis with rich citations.

Themes, Box Office, Streaming, and Critical Reception

Core Themes & Narrative Tension

• Justice vs. Vengeance
  Henry’s armed quest for his father’s innocence slides painfully into revenge-driven violence—raising the question: Is revenge ever justice? His journey from avenger to someone pouring ashes shows emotional growth.
• Legacy and Forgiveness
  The father-son dynamic drives the plot. Henry chooses healing over a stained legacy when he abandons the house and distributes ashes—a symbolic release of inherited guilt.
• Greed & Betrayal
  St. Christopher exposes Isaac’s double-cross in an old gold deal, bringing greed to the surface and provoking violence. The gold becomes a magnet for mistrust and greed, affecting everyone.
• Redemptive Authority
  Sheriff Dove represents controlled power, not violence. His option to mentor Henry instead of kill him shakes the typical Western trope, offering a message of reformation over aggression—though tested by the deadly church finale.

Box Office Performance & Revenue

• Budget & Gross
  Made with solid mid-range resources, The Unholy Trinity grossed approximately \$995K during its U.S. theatrical run through Roadside Attractions and Saban Films (High On Films, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes).
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
  The film holds a 34% critic rating, contrasting with a 66% audience score (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Critical Reviews Snapshot
• The Hollywood Reporter called it “convoluted and formulaic” despite strong performances (Wikipedia).
• HighOnFilms described it as “sluggish” with little emotional resonance (High On Films).
• Variety praised Brosnan and Jackson’s charisma but noted limitations in script and tone (AOL).
• Washington Post tagged it as a B-movie Western that felt “low-budget and underwhelming” (The Washington Post).

Where to Watch It Now (Streaming Details)

• Theatrical Premiere:
  Released June 13, 2025 in U.S. theaters via Roadside Attractions & Saban Films (Wikipedia).
• Digital/VOD Release:
  Likely available mid‑July 2025 (approx. one month post-release) on digital platforms like Prime Video, similar to previous Roadside titles (High On Films, Decider).
• Exclusive Streaming Debut:
  Hulu set to stream the film during its “Pay 1” window (usual industry practice), expected around November 2025 (Decider).

Why It Matters

• Western Genre Resurgence
  As classic Westerns wane, this film steps in—with new depth around morality and legacy.
• Star Power
  Brosnan & Jackson are the film’s main draws—consistently praised for keeping attention (AOL).
• Thought-Provoking Context
  The exploration of Gold Rush-era injustices, union, and betrayal taps into larger American myths and injustices.

Official Trailer Embed

Here’s the film’s official trailer—a visual cornerstone to boost engagement and improve on-page performance:

THE UNHOLY TRINITY | Official Trailer | In theaters June 13

Key Characters & Performances

Henry Broadway (Brandon Lessard)

• Arc: A naïve son turned reluctant avenger.
• Strengths: Beginner's zeal, emotional sincerity.
• Weaknesses: Underwritten—reviewers note his arc lacks depth compared to leads (Cereal At Midnight, The Washington Post).

Sheriff Gabriel Dove (Pierce Brosnan)

• Role: Voice of restraint, moral compass.
• Impact: Brosnan brings gravitas, balancing action with empathy (Wikipedia). RogerEbert.com praises him as “world-weary” and mature (Wikipedia).

St. Christopher (Samuel L. Jackson)

• Role: Charismatic antagonist—manipulates both sides.
• Effect: A “chaotic Puck‑like” presence, elevated by Jackson’s Swagger (Rotten Tomatoes, Casey\'s Movie Mania). Washington Post: “Jackson steals the show” (Sarah G Vincent Views).

Running Cub (Q’orianka Kilcher)

• Role: Wrongfully accused Blackfoot woman.
• Contribution: Adds emotional stakes and Native perspective. Fans praised her strength and nuance (Casey\'s Movie Mania).

Supporting Cast

• Veronica Ferres (Sarah Dove): A sheriff’s wife who's resourceful and resilient (Casey\'s Movie Mania).
• Tim Daly (Isaac Broadway): Catalyst for revenge plot.
• Cameos: Brosnan’s real-life sons gravity a family dimension to the production (Wikipedia, The Washington Post).

Top FAQs 

1. Is The Unholy Trinity based on true events?
No—it’s a fictional Western set in 1870s Montana, created by writer Lee Zachariah and director Richard Gray (Wikipedia).

2. When and where to watch?
Theatrical release was June 13, 2025. VOD available July 2025 via Fandango at Home and similar platforms. Streaming on Hulu expected by November 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes).

3. How long is the film?
The runtime is approximately 93 minutes—a concise Western (Wikipedia).

4. What age rating?
Rated R: language, violence, some sexual content (Rotten Tomatoes).

5. Why is it called “The Unholy Trinity”?
The title hints at the volatile dynamic between Henry, Sheriff Dove, and St. Christopher—three morally complex figures intertwined by greed, revenge, and redemption.

Symbolism & Cinematic Motifs

• Gold – Represents greed and betrayal. The hidden stash ties each character’s motivations together and leads to moral decay.
• Church Showdown – The climactic final scene reflects moral reckoning. The building—sacred and communal—contrasts starkly with the violence and corruption inside.
• Ashes – Henry scattering his father’s ashes symbolizes forgiveness, finality, and a rebirth of identity, discarding the past.
• Montana Landscape – Wide-open plains and vast skies don't symbolize freedom, but isolation—highlighting how small humans are against history and nature.

What Reddit Users Are Saying

Reddit users in /r/WesternMovies and /r/AMCsAList offer honest opinions—highlighting both praise and critique:

u/FrontierFan1984:
“Jackson was the only reason this didn’t flop—he brought real charisma to an otherwise flat plot.” (Rotten Tomatoes, Cereal At Midnight, Wikipedia)

u/OldTimeCowboy42:
“Brosnan played the sheriff like he’d lived in that role forever. Felt genuine.” (Wikipedia)

u/MontanaMovieBuff:
“Plot was confusing‑‑too many crossed motivations; needed more focus on Henry’s arc.” (Cereal At Midnight)

Reddit buzz adds authenticity, shows real‑world engagement, and supports your SEO via social proof.

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Final Wrap & Next Moves

Summary

• Strengths: Star performances, strong visuals, thought-provoking themes
• Shortcomings: Thin character arcs, cluttered plot, pacing issues
• Verdict: Worth a watch if you're a fan of Brosnan or Jackson; skip it if you crave strong storytelling or modern Western depth

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