You Won’t Believe This Indie Western’s Twisted Plot Now on Paramount+

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One of the decade’s most invigorating indie movies has made its way to streaming platforms. The enigmatic “The Last Stop in Yuma County” has now been added to Paramount+ collection. This fresh take on the genre offers a unique blend of the traditional Western with unexpected turns and heart-pounding moments. With its availability on streaming, here’s hoping it finds the recognition it truly deserves.

In numerous aspects, “The Last Stop in Yuma County” appears unique and fresh, yet it carries a familiar air reminiscent of films from the past. The movie seems to fit nicely within Martin Scorsese’s early works or share a bill with Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight“. Generally speaking, however, it often feels like an indie adaptation of a Coen brothers film, similar to what “No Country for Old Men” might look like if made on a tighter budget.

‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’ Brings Twists to a Small Diner

One of the most remarkable films set in a single location is undeniably The Last Stop in Yuma County. While it’s rare for movies to take place in just one spot, this film’s achievement becomes all the more noteworthy due to its limited setting. The story unfolds at a diner adjacent to a gas station, which serves as both a refueling station and a dining establishment. Given that it’s the last stop for miles before another gas station, the diner attracts an eclectic mix of travelers who stop for food and fuel.

In the narrative, I find myself captivated by the unnamed protagonist, who goes by the occupation of “The Knife Salesman.” This role is skillfully brought to life by none other than Jim Cummings, a versatile artist who dons both the director’s hat and produces independent films in reality. This character, having navigated the path of divorce, embarks on a journey to reconnect with his daughter residing in California. En route, he pulls over at a diner for fuel, only to be informed that he must wait for a truck to arrive and refuel the gas station first.

At the local eatery, the salesman encounters a variety of intriguing individuals such as a waitress, a sheriff and his deputy, an elderly couple, some shady characters, among others. His visit extends unexpectedly when a pair of bank robbers pull over at the diner, seeking fuel. However, most patrons are unaware that the truck delivering gas to the station has collided, leaving everyone marooned for an extended period.

The Final Destination in Yuma County

This pulse-pounding thriller offers a unique and invigorating experience, brimming with unexpected twists that heighten the suspense significantly. Critic Will Sayre from MovieWeb likened this movie to masterpieces such as Psycho, stating that it’s “a seldom-seen genre of film that abruptly changes direction midway through or around that point, where the story we’ve been following transforms into something entirely unanticipated or even switches to new characters altogether.” The film’s appeal wasn’t limited to Sayre alone, as it boasts an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’ Feels Like a Coen Brothers Movie

This film in Yuma County could be likened to “Psycho” due to its unexpected plot twists, but it bears a strong resemblance to numerous works by Joel and Ethan Coen. Aesthetically, it shares the Western backdrop common in many of their films, such as “True Grit” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”. Interestingly, like one of their more renowned pieces, “Raising Arizona”, this movie is also set in the state of Arizona.

At the final station in Yuma County, you’ll find characters that seem tailor-made for a Coen Brothers movie. The protagonist, a struggling knife peddler, bears a striking resemblance to the hapless figures portrayed by the Coen Brothers in films such as The Big Lebowski. The pair of robbers who terrorize the diner are unsavory and impulsive, much like numerous characters from Coen Brothers’ productions. They might have been pals with Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare’s characters from Fargo.

The movie shares many similarities with “No Country for Old Men,” one of the Coen brothers’ masterpieces. While neither film may feature traditional cowboys like a typical Western, they can be classified as modern Westerns, or neo-Westerns, due to their contemporary setting and elements such as standoffs and bounty hunters. It’s hard to imagine that the creators of “The Last Stop in Yuma County” weren’t influenced by “No Country for Old Men,” as they even recruited actor Gene Jones for their film. Although Gene Jones may not be widely recognized, anyone who has seen the coin-flipping scene from “No Country for Old Men” will quickly identify him.

Where To Watch ‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’

After spending around a year being offered for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, “The Last Stop in Yuma County” is now accessible for streaming through a subscription to “Paramount+“. Additionally, a Blu-ray version of the film is also available, featuring audio commentaries about the movie.

If you’re yearning to re-experience the Coen brothers’ masterpiece, the neo-Western No Country for Old Men, there are several ways to do so. You can stream it on Paramount+ and Peacock, or purchase it digitally from various retailers. For die-hard fans, there are multiple Blu-ray options available, including a 4K version by The Criterion Collection.

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2025-04-13 22:02