Angel's First Western

A Western With Too Much Information and Not Enough Virtue

Directed by Julio Quintana and starring Zachary Levi, Tommy Lee Jones, and Neal McDonough, this 2026 remake of a 1947 John Wayne classic was brought to us by Angel Studios, a company that has left us uncertain about its commitment to family-friendly entertainment.

Although never promising faith-based films, Angel promises to bring their 3-million-and-counting members films that amplify light. What exactly that means remains in the eye of the beholder.

This promise leaves conscientious Catholic families in the need to remain vigilant in the films they expose their children to.

Set in the Wild West in the late 1800s, the viewer is exposed to brothels, prostitution, threats of rape, and an attractive but immoral outlaw as the protagonist who never verbalizes a promise to convert.

What is portrayed as a ladies-man in the 1947 version, Quirt Evans (Zachary Levi) in this remake is scripted as a sexual deviant and promiscuous cowboy.

He thanks the woman who, unbeknownst to him due to delirium, nursed him back to health by saying, “I’m sure last night was wonderful,” and insinuates that she had tied him up as part of the “wonderful” time.

This silly young woman, Penny Worth (Meg Fraser), is definitely overly friendly with this gunfighting stranger by sleeping next to him.

Throughout the movie, two men are hunting Quirt down. One is Laredo, played by Neil McDonough, while the other is Marshall McClintock, played by Tommy Lee Jones.

The film failed to deliver the morally grounded Western we expected. It was uncomfortable to watch at times and didn’t have a strong enough story to forgive its failings.

It did have some elements of humor, although it was delivered as mostly off-color jokes made by Quirt at the expense of Penny’s innocence.

The gunfights are suspenseful, and the bad guy is quite disgusting.

It would seem that he contracted some sort of sexually transmitted disease and thereby abhors prostitutes, yet he gives way to his passions and threatens to rape Penny in a scene that made my skin crawl and my stomach churn.

Angel and the Badman earned a rating of 6.4, mostly for weak story and going too far when alluding to, but never explicitly showing, the uglier side of life in the Wild West.

This version depicts prostitutes rather than the showgirls seen in the 1947s version. A distinction that is worth mentioning.

During the John Wayne era, Hollywood wouldn’t have dared to show a man tied to a bed, joking about his sexual exploits to a young woman. They wouldn’t have shown a man suffering from what appears to be syphilis ruthlessly tormenting others and threatening rape.

This movie suffers from too much information and not enough virtue.

Redemption Without Remorse: A Flawed Hero

Should a film merely portray a flawed character, or should it give viewers convincing reasons to believe that the character has changed?

We think the latter, so for us, this film was a big thumbs down and a movie to be avoided. We also lost a lot of trust in Angel Studios.

More optimistic viewers may see it as a story of redemption; I’m too skeptical. I want to see a bad guy have sorrow for his past and make amends in order to be assured that he is now good. This was not the case in this film.

Interestingly, Tangled, a film featuring Zachary Levi's voice acting, suffered the same flaw. I’d assert that neither Flynn Rider nor Quirt Evans ever explicitly express remorse or commit to changing their ways, making them heroes that are not worthy of the title.

Why We're Committed to Making Films for Your Family's Soul

Watch End of the Santa Fe Trail - A Catholic Western

Angel and the Badman film made us more firm in our resolve to make films for families like ours, which is exactly what we are doing. You can support us through donations and by becoming a member of our streaming service.

In End of the Santa Fe Trail, we promise a Western that aligns with Catholic sensibilities and is truly family friendly. Meet Billy the Kid and the courageous nun who is on her path to canonization. Also, check out our list of the top 10 family-friendly Westerns.

All the guns, all the glory.

None of the brothels or syphilis that made the Wild West wild.

Industrious Family makes films for your family’s soul.

What Do You Think of Angel and the Badman?

We’d like to hear what you think. Did this film live up to Angel Studios’ promise to amplify light, or did it fall short of what you expect from wholesome and inspiring entertainment? Is it okay for film to portray a flawed character, or should it give viewers reasons to believe that the character has changed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.