By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-10 12:32:01 | Updated at 2025-01-10 16:04:20
3 hours ago
A new Netflix Western drama has taken the trend of violent shows to another level, with viewers branding the series 'very graphic and disturbing' in the wake of its premiere.
The six-part programme followed a mother on the run during the brutal 1857 Utah War, which involved Mormons, the US Army and Native Americans fighting over the American West.
Subscribers cannot stop watching American Primeval, even if some scenes are so bloody that fans have often been forced to view it from behind the sofa.
The premise itself promised violence, with the whole drama set around a grim 10-month conflict, which saw 120 killed in one massacre alone, as the war proved inconclusive.
It starred GLOW breakout star Betty Gilpin as mother-on-the-run Sara and True Detective actor Taylor Kitsch as lone wolf Isaac.
There were shoot-outs, axe fights and gruesome battles around every corner and viewers have taken to social media to express their shock at the levels of violence.
A new Netflix Western drama has taken the trend of violent shows to another level, with viewers branding the series 'very graphic and disturbing' (pictured L-R: Preston Mota as Devin Rowell; Taylor Kitsch as Isaac; and Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell)
Subscribers cannot stop watching American Primeval, even if some scenes are so bloody that fans are often forced to view it from behind the sofa
The premise itself promised violence, with the whole drama set around a grim 10-month conflict, which saw 120 killed in one massacre alone, as the war proved inconclusive
One X user said: 'A raw and unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities of frontier life, American Primeval is not for the faint-hearted but delivers a compelling, if grim, narrative.'
Another added: 'AMERICAN PRIMEVAL hits Netflix today and while I thought the performances are good — Shea Whigham in particular — the mini-series feels mucky to watch due to the sheer amount of seemingly needless violence and sludge brown color it's graded with. Real mixed bag.'
A third posted: 'American Primeval is a brutal ride from start to finish.'
One viewer said: 'A visceral journey into America's brutal past, American Primeval captures the raw essence of survival and conflict with a relentless intensity.'
Another joked: 'American Primeval makes me appreciate living in the 21st century. lol'
A sixth user added: 'AMERICAN PRIMEVAL has managed to shock me with its BRUTALITY and VIOLENCE (I don't necessarily mean gore). It's been sometime since something has done that. It's stark and chilling.'
Another posted: '1 and a half episodes into American Primeval on Netflix. The only thing I can say at this point is: graphic and brutal. Eye opening if true to the times.'
Meanwhile, one shocked viewer took to Reddit to say: 'Based off the first two episodes, highly recommended but I have seen lots of violent media in my day and this show is very graphic and disturbing.'
There were shoot-outs, axe fights and gruesome battles around every corner and viewers have taken to social media to express their shock at the levels of violence
American Primeval follows in the footsteps of Western drama Yellowstone, set in the 1880s and starring Kevin Costner, in perpetuating the trend of increasingly violent award-winning TV shows.
The series involved increasingly graphic shootouts, lynchings and poisonings with many remarking on the merciless nature of some of the killings.
Meanwhile, the 59-time Emmy winning fantasy drama Game Of Thrones was renowned for its violence, including grim child deaths and violence against women.
This side of the Atlantic, Gangs of London has flown the flag for ultraviolence with scenes such as a character's eye exploding and another's arteries spewing blood dividing opinion among critics and viewers alike.
American Primeval turns the dial up another notch, with some moments portraying US history at its most miserable and brutal.
American Primeval is currently streaming on Netflix.
