Daniel Bielinski is Weston, a member of an outlaw gang operating in the North Dakota badlands in 1890, shortly after it earned statehood.
He and his brother Emmett were orphaned at a young age and taken in by Shaw (Andrew E. Wheeler), leader of that outlaw gang.
Now Shaw is aging and looks forward to the day when Weston will assume leadership of the gang.
But Weston wants more from life. Something he owns. Maybe land. And maybe a family to go with it.
So he plans to take a share of the loot he’s stolen for Shaw from Shaw in order to start a new life with his brother in California.
Shaw finds out about those plans. And no one betrays Shaw and lives to tell about it.
So he has Weston strung up. Then Shaw shoves Weston’s own knife into his chest and leaves him for dead.
Only Weston doesn’t die. He’s nursed back to health by a nun named Hildegard (Tiffany Cornwell) with whom he previously had a chance encounter.
She needs a guide to her church is Williston. He reluctantly takes that role, intrigued by a large gold church ornament she’s carrying in her wagon.
What neither know is that Shaw and his gang are on their trail. You see, Shaw doesn’t like loose ends. And Weston represents one.
Daniel Bielinski as Weston, a man looking to make a break from the life of an outlaw in Sanctified (2022)
Tiffany Cornwell as Hildegard, a nun on a mission to reach a remote North Dakota church in Sanctified (2022)
Review:
If you’re looking for a well-done 2020s Western, here’s one well worth watching.
And if you’re fearful of an inferior “Sister Sara” remake, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Director Nickolaus Swedlund and company serve up a fresh plot, though our male lead does jokingly refer to Hildegard as Sister Sara at one point.
The climatic showdown strikes one false note of what-the-hell-were-they-thinking proportions.
But solid performances by all three leads — Andrew E. Wheeler makes one heck of a villain — and a strong ending will likely have viewers in a forgiving mood.
Andrew E. Wheeler as Shaw, realizing his search for Weston has taken a serious wrong turn in Sanctified (2022)
Carl Swanson as Emmett, facing a moment of truth with gang leader Shaw in Sanctified (2022)
Directed by:
Nickolaus Swedlund
Cast:
Daniel Bielinski … Weston
Tiffany Cornwell … Hildegard
Andrew E. Wheeler … Shaw
Carl Swanson … Emmett
Chelsey Grant … Claire
Kevin Christopher Lokey … Fur trader
Allan Demaray … Little Hawk
Monica Henke … Young nun
Emily Walter … Mother Superior
Runtime: 89 min.
Chelsey Grant as Claire, the angel of death among Shaw’s gang members in Sanctified (2022)
Kevin Christopher Lokey as the fur trader Hildegard meets on her journey in Sanctified (2022)
Memorable lines:
Weston: “You’re a nun.”
Hildegard, in the seat of her wagon wearing nun’s garb: “That’s mighty astute of you.”
Weston: “This is the badlands, sister. There ain’t no God here.”
Shaw: “This life, it’s all just a cruel joke. This world is a kingdom of pain, chaos and suffering.”
Shaw: “Treachery is not a wise move, generally speaking. But when it’s done to me, it’s particularly hazardous.”
Allan Demaray as Little Hawk, the Indian brave Hildegard helps with his wounded arm in Sanctified (2022)
Andrew E. Wheeler as Shaw, leader of the badlands gang in Sanctified (2022)
Weston: “Give me that damn rifle, woman.”
Hildegard: “Don’t you cuss at me.”
Weston: “Give me the damn rifle, please.”
Hildegard: “Are you a believer, Wes?”
Weston: “In clean rifles? You bet your holy ass I am.”
Shaw to Hildegard: “Don’t rattle your bones at me, holy woman.”
Daniel Bielinski as Weston, sensing approaching trouble in Sanctified (2022)
Tiffany Cornwell as Hildegard, trying to nurse a stubborn Weston (Daniel Bielinski) back to health in Sanctified (2022)
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