SPOILER-FREE PLOT SUMMARY
A mysterious man, James Kettleman (played by Josh Holloway), returns to the frontier of Montana using the name “Jim Flint” as an homage to the ruthless outlaw who raised him (Charles Esten) as an orphan. When Kettleman returns to town, he runs into some hired guns by the railroad in an attempt to force people out of their homes and off their land. Having arrived simply looking for some peace and quiet where he can succumb to his cancer diagnosis, he reluctantly gets hauled into the fray by standing his ground against some thugs at a local store and then saving a rancher from a shootout with the same thugs. When he delivers Ed (Forrie J. Smith) back to his family, he leaves before they can show him gratitude. Fast forward to Kettleman’s visit to town and Western Frontier Landholdings boss Porter Baldwin (Max Martini) confronts James for killing one of his men, eventually offering him a job. He tells Baldwin what he really thinks of him and is immediately beat down in the middle of the square for all to see. It turns out Ed’s family returns the favor by rescuing Kettleman from the attack, bringing him back to their homestead to convalesce. But when Baldwin’s men track him down, threaten to take the family’s land unless they give him up, Kettleman knows the only way to his “peace and quiet” is to confront Baldwin.
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
Based on a novel by legendary western writer Louis L’Amour, FLINT is beautiful to look at and seems plucked right off of the INSP or Grit TV programming lineups. Basically, a throwback to another time and place when the western was king.
While Holloway is no John Wayne, he’s effortless in the lead role. Kettleman’s arrogance, toughness and grizzled personality are all on display thanks to Holloway and, because of him, the viewer truly feels like they’re watching an old tale from a bygone era, not a 21st century depiction of one.
Not to be outdone is Kyle McCuiston’s score. He hits all right moments with all the right notes and increases the intensity at the appropriate times.
The best thing about FLINT is simultaneously the worst thing about FLINT. This is a straight-forward western. There’s nothing overly unique about it. But that’s exactly why, if you love the genre, you’ll love this movie. Westerns have never really been my cup of tea (much to my dad and father-in-law’s chagrins). I can count, on two hands, how many western movies I’ve really enjoyed in my life. Unfortunately, I think this is the rare occasion where my score is impacted by that bias.
In the end, Holloway is a natural as the lead and director Ryan Whitaker gives fans of the genre a faithful addition to the western rotation. Not an easy feat in 2026.
JKG SCORE: 6.0 out of 10
**This film was screened as part of the 2026 Nashville Film Festival**
