TheWesternas a film genre is quintessentially American in its roots.

So, today, the Western is no longer inextricably and exclusively an American film genre.

It has evolved into a set of sensibilities and conventions derived from thebest Western movies ever made.

Shanghai Noon Owen Wilson Jackie Chan

He’s known for making whimsical creative choices and this is reflected inSukiyaki Western Djangoas well.

Of them, the most imaginative is perhaps the South Korean filmThe Good, the Bad, the Weird.

The international version ends more cynically, in a manner more traditional to the Spaghetti Western genre.

Composite image of foreign westerns: Mads Mikkelsen in The Salvation, Marsha Timothy in Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, and Alejandro Jodorowsky in El Topo

The choice to focus on him makes the genre feel more accessible.

So, it’s inevitable that a parody of famous Westerns will involve a revenge plot as well.

He learns of a tragedy years later and adopts the identity of the Black Tiger to enact revenge.

Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven

It might be a parody, but the film is a love letter to the genre.

He then comes across various conflicting criminal groups as he attempts to stop a train.

It follows a woman who defends herself from assault and robbery and then sets out in search of justice.

Imagery from Tears of the Black Tiger and Sukiyaki Western Django

Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

However, it couldn’t be more different from typical films of the genre.

The success ofMarlina the Murderer in Four Actsbirthed an entire genre of neo-Westerns, known as the Satay Western.

He sets out to exploit their hatred for each other and incite a full-blown war between them.

Sukiyaki Western Django

The Good, The Bad, The Weird

Let The Bullets Fly

Tears of the Black Tiger

Millionaires' Express

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts

Sholay

Break Up The Chain

Unforgiven (2013)

Yojimbo

Movies