Tom Hanks' critically acclaimed Western News of the World has landed on Netflix, offering viewers a chance to watch the four-time Oscar nominee from the comfort of home.
Co-written and directed by Paul Greengrass, the film is set in 1870s Texas during the Reconstruction Era. Hanks stars as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who discovers a young girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel), abandoned beside a dead man. The girl, raised by Kiowa Native Americans after her parents' deaths, speaks little English, creating a language barrier that the duo must overcome as they journey across the Plains.
The narrative follows their unlikely partnership as they travel 400 miles to Castroville, Texas, to reunite Johanna with her German settler relatives. The film has earned an impressive 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers praising its historical authenticity and strong performances.
One critic described the film as “thought-provoking and absorbing,” adding that it is “beautifully shot” and “superbly acted.” Another viewer commended its realism, noting that “this is really historically accurate and realistic.”
News of the World originally received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. It is now available to stream on Netflix.
