As the world mourns the passing of cinematic legend Michael K. Williams, his latest film “Surrounded” serves as a powerful reminder of his enduring talent. Set in 1870’s America, the film is a gritty and gorgeous revisionist Western that follows Letitia Wright’s Moses ‘Mo’ Washington, a former Buffalo Soldier pretending to be a man, as she wanders into a community seeking safety and passage to build a new life. The story is a meandering meditation on violence wrapped in a gruesome thriller, as Mo finds herself watching over notorious outlaw Tommy Walsh (Jamie Bell) at an enormous tree until fellow survivors return with a posse to collect his bounty.
Wright’s performance is breathtaking, her steely determination to survive speaking volumes through her few words. Bell’s Tommy fluctuates between unbridled rage and sinister deception, but Wright remains the grounding point of the entire experience. Director Anthony Mandler’s use of beautiful overhead shots and cinematography makes the most of the space, even if some effects leave much to be desired. The narrative’s unwillingness to sit with its feeling and explore the complexities of Mo’s relationships with the Indigenous men she encounters leads to some tropes and contrivances. Williams’ character, which is painfully brief, alters the trajectory of the story with his presence, bringing a surprising injection of humor and menace.
Michael K Williams (Via Michael K Williams/Twitter)
Despite the clunky reveal and underwhelming conclusion, Williams makes his character memorable, drawing attention to the character’s charm and potential. Wright carries the film on her shoulders, and the layers of complexity in her performance and Williams’ shine through. The film’s portrayal of the harsh realities of the post-Civil War era, particularly for women and Indigenous people, is particularly striking. “Surrounded” proves to be a sturdy enough riff on the Western, but it is also a basic survival thriller that could have been so much more with more patience and exploration of its themes.
