Critics criticize Netflix’s ‘The Abandons’ as a ‘captivatingly terrible’ Western, despite ultimately ‘falling short’

Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson have traded dragons and extraterrestrials for guns and outlaws in Netflixs latest Western drama, The Abandons. The series marks the first time the TV legendsHeadey of Game of Thrones and Anderson of The X-Filesappear on screen together, sharing a tense scene midway through the premiere as Andersons affluent Constance Van Ness faces off against Headeys formidable Fiona Nolan.

Created, co-written, and executive produced by Sons of Anarchy showrunner Kurt Sutter, The Abandons chronicles the clashes among outlaw factions in the 1850s. Sutter departed before the season concluded due to creative disagreements. All seven episodes premiered on Netflix on December 4.

Critical Reactions

Rebecca Nicholson of the Financial Times called the show horribly compelling though overblown, likening it to an intensified soap opera. Conversely, Ed Power of the Daily Telegraph felt the series misses the target and instead shoots itself in the foot. Hunter Ingram from The Wrap criticized the shows complexity but acknowledged that Headey and Anderson excel as feuding matriarchs.

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian offered a more positive view, emphasizing the series mythic qualities and audience investment in justice and moral resolution. Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter described it as never particularly bad but ultimately confusingly spare and rushed, while Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times highlighted the artificial feel despite its scenic Canadian landscapes. Ben Travers of IndieWire was highly critical, labeling it a badly distilled family drama.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 29% rotten rating and a 45/100 mixed/average score on Metacritic.

Plot Overview

Set in 1854 Washington Territory, The Abandons follows the rivalry between two influential families. Headeys self-made frontierswoman clashes with Andersons established elite matriarch in a story that blends social class tensions, secrets, deception, and romance, evoking the feel of a Western Shakespearean drama.

Cast and Crew

The ensemble includes Nick Robinson as Elias Teller, Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller, Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness, Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness, Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason, and Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle.

Directorial duties were shared by Otto Bathurst, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Guy Ferland, and Stephen Surjik, while Jeff Danna composed the music. Writers joining Sutter included Emmy Grinwis, Robert Askins, Sarah McCarron, Mary Kathryn Nagle, Ron Carlivati, Ryan Quan, Leon Hendrix III, and Denise Harkavy.

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• Critics say Netflix’s ‘The Abandons’ is a ‘horribly compelling’ Western, though it ultimately ‘misses the target’