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Butcher's Crossing

Butcher's Crossing is a 2023 American Western film directed by Gabe Polsky in his narrative feature debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Butcher's Crossing is a 2023 American Western film directed by Gabe Polsky in his narrative feature debut. Based on the 1960 novel by John Edward Williams, the film stars Nicolas Cage, Fred Hechinger, Xander Berkeley, Rachel Keller, Jeremy Bobb, and Paul Raci. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022 and was released in the United States in October 2023.

Premise

The film centres on Will Andrews, a Harvard dropout who travels west and joins a buffalo-hunting party in the Colorado wilderness. The journey tests the group’s endurance and sanity amid harsh conditions and the decline of the buffalo herds.

Production

Butcher's Crossing was directed by Gabe Polsky and written by Polsky with Liam Satre-Meloy. It is Polsky's narrative feature debut and is based on John Edward Williams's novel, published in 1960.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022. It was later released in the United States on October 20, 2023 by Saban Films.

Cast and characters

The principal cast includes Nicolas Cage, Fred Hechinger, Xander Berkeley, Rachel Keller, Jeremy Bobb, and Paul Raci. Promotional materials identify Cage’s character as Miller and Hechinger’s character as Will Andrews.

Key facts

  • Gabe Polsky made his narrative feature directorial debut with the film.
  • The story follows a Harvard dropout who joins a buffalo-hunting expedition in the American West.
  • It is adapted from John Edward Williams's 1960 novel of the same name.
  • Nicolas Cage plays Miller, a central buffalo hunter figure in the expedition.
  • The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before its U.S. theatrical release.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, making Canada part of its early public launch and festival exposure.

Frequently asked questions

Is Butcher's Crossing based on a book?
Yes. It is based on John Edward Williams's 1960 novel Butcher's Crossing.
Who directed Butcher's Crossing?
Gabe Polsky directed the film.
When was Butcher's Crossing released?
It premiered in September 2022 and was released in the United States on October 20, 2023.
Who stars in Butcher's Crossing?
The cast includes Nicolas Cage, Fred Hechinger, Xander Berkeley, Rachel Keller, Jeremy Bobb, and Paul Raci.
What is Butcher's Crossing about?
It follows a young man who joins a buffalo-hunting expedition in the American West, where the trip becomes dangerous and psychologically taxing.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butcher's_Crossing_(film)
    Supports: Director, year, cast, source material, premiere date, and U.S. release date.
  2. YouTube / Official trailer — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJEOJbSuOvI
    Supports: Cast, director, screenplay credits, plot setup, and U.S. release date.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/butchers-crossing-nicolas-cage-1235221141/
    Supports: Plot context, setting, and adaptation from John Williams's novel.
  4. Chicago Sun-Times — https://www.chicagosuntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2023/10/19/23922327/butchers-crossing-review-nicolas-cage-movie-western-buffalo
    Supports: Running time, rating, setting, and release context.