After combing through Netflix’s lineup for the week, I noticed “Broke” was being added today (August 21), a Western drama that went straight to digital back in May without even a limited theatrical release. That’s likely why it didn’t gain much traction, and it’s a movie I certainly hadn’t heard of.
Now that “Broke” is streaming on U.S. Netflix, I hope it attracts more attention given the platform’s huge audience. After watching it myself, I’d rate it as a very compelling, moving and suspenseful drama, featuring Wyatt Russell in one of his best roles to date. It also tells an important story about resilience when life doesn’t go according to plan.
There’s a lot to like in this compact story, including its interwoven timelines and somber soundtrack that somehow complements a narrative both sad and uplifting. It follows a bareback bronc rider as he battles a sudden blizzard, reflecting on his past and the choices that brought him to this critical point.
If you’re looking for something different to stream this week, here’s why “Broke” is worth adding to your Netflix watchlist.
What is ‘Broke’ about?
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“Broke” follows True Brandywine (Wyatt Russell), a bareback bronc rider struggling to maintain his rodeo career. When a sudden spring blizzard traps him in the Wyoming wilderness, True must navigate the harsh elements to survive.
The movie unfolds through a series of flashbacks, revealing his past decisions and relationships, including his bond with his father, George Brandywine (Dennis Quaid), and his evolving relationship with his loving partner, Ali (Auden Thornton).
As the storm intensifies, True’s physical and mental endurance is pushed to the limit, forcing him to confront the choices that have brought him to this critical juncture.
‘Broke’ is a quietly impactful tale of endurance
“Broke” starts off with the protagonist in his main predicament: waking up in a blizzard, confused about how he got there, with signs of hyperthermia already setting in when he discovers his sock half off. The situation feels instantly tense because, even though we haven’t met the character yet, you can already sympathize with him.
The next few minutes remain tense as he stumbles through the snow, seeking shelter and warmth, and you might think the movie will play out as a survival thriller. But within the first ten minutes, we’re treated to the first flashback of him during his motivational rodeo days before subsequent flashbacks throughout the story depict his downfall and hardships.
This narrative structure is incredibly effective, keeping you curious to see more flashbacks of how he ended up in this situation. These memories almost come in waves alongside True’s revealed brain injury, like pulsating migraines that taunt him with his “failures” and the mistakes of pushing loved ones away when it got too hard.
Russell is very much the center of this story. At times, you really feel for his character; at others, you find yourself disliking his actions. Yet his ability to convey determination, genuine happiness and regret keeps you invested in how his story unfolds, and the realness almost makes it feel like a true story.
Although their screen time is somewhat limited, Quaid and Thornton also contribute to the story’s message about keeping the people you care about close, especially during difficult times.
This marks Carlyle Eubank’s first proper outing as a director, and he shows real promise as a storyteller in the indie drama space. While his past work has leaned more toward action, here he demonstrates a strong instinct for exploring human experiences. These kinds of character-driven movies may not always grab headlines, but they’re essential for grounding cinema in the lives and emotions of everyday people.
Stream ‘Broke’ on Netflix now
“Broke” may not be a staple in the Western genre, but it shows Russell’s ability to carry a movie on his own. Even while taking on bigger, more high-profile projects like the recent Marvel project “Thunderbolts,” Russell clearly demonstrates a knack for tackling emotionally layered roles like this one.
Eubank ambles down a freshly laid road to tap into contemporary career worries while showing an affinity for the Western environment and sympathy for the people in it. And that’s good enough to keep us engaged for much more than the tense blizzard scenes or dangerous bronc riding.
For those seeking something a little more intense, stream these dark thriller movies on Netflix to get your adrenaline pumping.
Stream “Broke” on Netflix now.
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