As a devoted fan of both Westerns and Dominic Cooper’s captivating performances, I eagerly plunged into the gritty world of That Dirty Black Bag, and let me tell you, it was quite the ride! The show’s Old West iconography, dusty shoot-outs, and dark humor were reminiscent of Preacher, but with a more brutal edge that paid homage to classic Spaghetti Westerns like Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy.
Following his role as Jesse Custer in the popular supernatural fantasy series “Preacher” from 2016 to 2019, English actor Dominic Cooper showcased his acting skills in the AMC+ original series “That Dirty Black Bag,” a captivating TV Western that premiered in 2022. Reminiscent of classic Spaghetti Westerns, this gritty series features intense violence and centers around the fierce rivalry between Red Bill (played by Douglas Booth), a seasoned bounty hunter, and Arthur McCoy (Cooper), the town Sheriff, as they struggle for control in a lawless village overrun by outlaws.
Beyond being filmed on site in Spain and Italy, “That Dirty Black Bag” has earned critical praise for its genuine acting performances and heartfelt tribute to the timeless Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci. Fans of “Preacher” will find Dominic Cooper showcasing a distinct aspect of his acting talent in this production, delivering another captivating lead role that underscores his versatility as an actor, making him one of the most multifaceted performers of his generation. Here’s why fans of “Preacher” should switch to AMC+ to catch Cooper’s performance in “That Dirty Black Bag”.
What Is That Dirty Black Bag About?
Under the joint direction of Mauro Aragoni, the series titled “That Dirty Black Bag” is a modern take on the Spaghetti Western genre, produced exclusively for AMC+. Instead of the traditional Good versus Evil dynamic, this show centers around the intense feud between ruthless outlaw bounty hunter Bill (Booth), and Sheriff Arthur McCoy (Cooper) in the grim frontier town of Greenvale, often referred to as a “town with no hope.” The narrative begins with Red Bill committing a shocking act by beheading a serial killer in broad daylight outside a church and placing his head inside a black bag, symbolizing the brutal violence and graphic imagery that characterized Spaghetti Westerns during the 1960s. Bill’s reasoning for such gruesome acts is that “A head weighs less than a body.
Regardless of his loyal service as Greenvale’s sheriff, McCoy is prone to corruption and loses his ethical compass when he encounters Bill. When these two gun-wielding figures finally intersect, a fiery competition erupts between them to establish dominance over the town. As McCoy’s hidden past unravels piece by piece, new characters such as Eve (played by Niv Sultan), a local madam, Steve (Christian Cooke), a devout farmer grappling with a drought, his wife Michelle (Zoe Boyle), McCoy’s brother and town politician Bronson (Guido Caprino), and Thompson (Paterson Joseph), Greenvale’s wealthiest resident, make their appearances.
Working together with deputies Jacopo Rampini (Jona), Ivan Shaw (Kurt), and Nicolo Pasetti (Martin), McCoy takes on several ruthlessly violent serial killers. Among them are Aidan Gillen as the satanic cannibal Butler, Eugene Brave Rock as the Native American murderer known as The Stranger, and Terry McMahon as Blaine. As McCoy tirelessly hunts down these killers, he finds himself crossing paths with Red Bill. Additionally, a conspiracy linking the killers to Bronson unravels, leading to further startling revelations in this gritty Spaghetti Western setting.
Why Preacher & Dominic Cooper Fans Need to Watch That Dirty Black Bag
In essence, even though “Preacher” is adapted from a comic book with supernatural overtones, it’s widely recognized as a modern-day Western series on television. The character of Jesse Custer, skillfully portrayed by Cooper, was a boy who admired cowboys and mastered gunmanship, emulating his Western idols. His father, from the start, instilled in him an affection for the Old West. Before acquiring his powers, Jesse had a deep-rooted respect for cowboys, a passion nurtured by his father since childhood. Upon witnessing his father’s brutal murder at the hands of Jody and T.C., Jesse swears vengeance, promising to exact retribution no matter the cost.
Fans of “Preacher” who appreciate its Old West aesthetics, gritty gunfights, dark humor, and Dominic Cooper’s captivating performance will find the same thrill in “That Dirty Black Bag”. Not only does Cooper portray another complex yet charismatic antihero, but the series emphasizes the Western movie elements hinted at in Preacher. Inspired by the heightened violence of classic Spaghetti Westerns like Sergio Leone’s “Dollars Trilogy”, “That Dirty Black Bag” is both nostalgic and innovative. The West Texas setting of “Preacher” and the Greenvale villages in “That Dirty Black Bag”, along with their shared religious undertones, make them a perfect match for fans of Cooper.
In both the series “Preacher” and “That Dirty Black Bag”, Cooper’s characters are deeply flawed, grappling with corruption and troubled pasts. While Jesse Custer in “Preacher” struggles with his moral compass, often slipping back into old habits and seeking guidance from his religious background, Cooper’s character McCoy in “That Dirty Black Bag” exhibits a more reserved demeanor, yet shares similarities with Jesse, such as being an adept marksman and carrying the burden of a dark past he seeks to redeem. Despite their differences in presentation, both characters are complex and multidimensional.
Critical Response to That Dirty Black Bag
As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you that “That Dirty Black Bag” is right up there with the critically acclaimed “Preacher”. While “Preacher” boasts an impressive 87% and 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb respectively, “That Dirty Black Bag” isn’t far behind with a 80% RT Score and 79% Audience Score, along with a 7.2 rating on IMDb. If you’re a fan of Seth Rogen’s works like “Preacher”, you won’t be disappointed by the dramatic narrative in “That Dirty Black Bag”.
One reason to catch up on That Dirty Black Bag is that it’s designed as a three-season story, and according to an exclusive from MovieWeb, Season 2 is currently being penned with the intention of bringing back the entire cast and crew. Although there haven’t been any recent updates since 2022, this throwback Western series makes for an enjoyable binge, especially for fans of Dominic Cooper who will get to see another facet of his talent before starring in the upcoming series The Last Frontier. If you’ve finished Preacher‘s four seasons, That Dirty Black Bag, with its eight episodes, serves as a compelling companion piece.
That Dirty Black Bag is available to stream on Netflix & AMC+.
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2024-09-21 21:01