One of the staples of film is the Western genre. We’ve seen many different types of Westerns, but the good ones give us great characters and compelling performances. The new film The Thicket, which opens in limited release Friday, does some of that in bringing the story to the screen.

The film is based on the novel of the same name from Joe R. Lansdale that was released in 2013. The film is set around the Turn of the Century and follows a young man who has had a string of bad luck.

Jack Parker (Levon Hawke) isn’t having a good time of it. His parents have just succumbed to Smallpox, and his grandfather comes to take him and his sister, Lula (Esme Creed-Miles) someplace else. While on the trip, they run across the outlaw Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis), who kills his grandfather and takes his sister.

Jack is determined to get her back and begins pursuing the gang. He convinces a bounty hunter, a dwarf named Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage), and his companion, Eustace Howard (Gbenga Akinnagbe), to help. They’re in it for the money but he’s in it to save his sister.

Along the way, Jack learns more of the ways of the world and sticks his neck out to save a young prostitute, Jimmy Sue (Leslie Grace). Together the unlikely group finally catch up to Cut Throat Bill in order to achieve their mission.

This is an interesting film. Fans of the book will be interested to see the story brought to life, as director Elliott Lester makes the most of the cold and unforgiving landscape where the film takes place. It sets the tone and sets a mood that draws you into the world and into the story.

I also enjoyed some of the performances. Dinklage is quite good as Reginald Jones. His opening scene is a lot of fun and sets the stage. So, too, is Lewis. She adopts and interesting voice for Cut Throat Bill that is captivating, as is the way she sinks into the character.

The rest of the cast is OK, but Hawke isn’t quite strong enough as Jack to make the story work the way some would hope. It’s got its moments, but there are times when the film drags a bit and is somewhat under-whelming. The final act action sequence is also just OK.

In the end, the film has some interesting moments and a couple unique characters that makes for an entertaining watch that doesn’t wear out its welcome.

The Thicket opens in limited release Friday, September 6.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.