Austin-based filmmaker Brock Harris’s new film, Cottonmouth, set in the late 1800s, features new and established actors to draw the audience’s attention now that it is available on Prime Video. Harris made his directorial debut with Wild Game (2021). Dance Dads (2022) premiered at the Austin Film Festival and won an Audience Award.
SYNOPSIS: When Ed Dantes is framed and condemned to the torture of a territorial prison in 1895, he must learn the ways of the outlaw to escape and exact his revenge.
I have enjoyed watching Western movies since I was a child, and I recall seeing “Gunsmoke,” “Rawhide,” and “Bonanza” on television alongside my siblings and maternal grandmother. Back then, we were not thinking about how “predictable” the story was going to be. We knew there would be plenty of stories about how residents lived in harmony as much as possible, until outsiders would ride into town and disturb the peace and the happiness of others.
If you are a fan of such films from the genre, I am happy to say the story from Harris for his new film, Cottonmouth, checks off all the points of what life was like in the late 1800s. This film is not set in Texas, but rather in Oklahoma, and features Native American characters. As was history then (and now), this story captures the pride and greed of those with wealth who want to amass even more and will not hesitate to steal it any way necessary, including killing off people.
Ed Dantes (Martin Sensmeier) plans to marry saloon singer Sophia (Alyssa Wapanatâhk) in Ingalls, Oklahoma. His friend Frank Ferrin (Jonathan Sadowski) sees a financial opportunity in the event. Sophia’s mother, Valentina (played by Kimberly Guerrero), owns the saloon, setting the stage for life-changing events.
The Dunn Inn, run by Billy Dunn (Eric Nelsen), neighbors the saloon. After his betrayal, Ed lands in a harsh prison run by Warden Victor Cain (Ron Perlman), where his cellmate, Abe (Esai Morales), helps him survive.
Yes, it may come as a surprise that the film features so many veteran actors who have appeared in big-budget films. I am glad to know that these actors provided their talent to support this film and its characters, who are not the protagonists.
The film may not revolutionize the genre in a major way, but it is certainly worth watching as part of your home entertainment collection. It is now available on Prime Video (as of November 4th) following its worldwide premiere at the 2025 Mammoth Film Festival. Want to watch it on a big screen away from home? It will be available in Texas on Sunday, November 9th, at the Round Top Film Festival (RTFF). Check their website for ticket information.
Runtime: 92 minutes
Source: Prime Video, RTFF