Movie Review: Hostile Territory (2022)
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)

Hostile Territory (2022) rides into the wild, unforgiving landscape of post-Civil War America with a story rooted in grit, family, and redemption. Directed by Brian Presley — who also stars in the film — this Western-inspired drama isn’t trying to reinvent the genre, but it definitely brings heart and earnest storytelling to the table.

The film follows Jack Calgrove, a Union soldier who returns home from war only to discover that his children have been mistakenly sent west on an orphan train — a real historical system that relocated orphaned children across the country. What follows is a perilous and emotional journey as Calgrove battles through hostile terrain, both external and internal, to reunite with his family.

Presley brings a grounded presence to the lead role, and the supporting cast — including Craig Tate and Natalie Whittle — help bring texture to a story that’s more about healing than heroism. The cinematography deserves a shoutout; the sweeping landscapes and natural lighting create an immersive, almost haunting atmosphere.

That said, the film occasionally leans a bit too heavily on familiar Western tropes. The pacing slows in spots, and some of the emotional beats feel a bit on-the-nose. But what it lacks in polish, it makes up for with sincerity.

If you’re a fan of old-school Westerns with a heart, Hostile Territory might surprise you. It’s not flashy, but it’s a solid tale of perseverance, fatherhood, and the cost of war — wrapped in the dusty beauty of frontier America.