[Sundance ’22] ‘Bring on the Dancing Horses’ review: Woman with No Name

Bring on the Dancing Horses is a modern day Western making its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The show is screening in the Indie Episodic section of the fest. The plot follows a female assassin (Kate Bosworth) who is working on completing her list of targets. Though only one episode is being screened at the fest, ten episodes have already been filmed.

Though the titular song by Echo and the Bunnymen is never heard, music seems like it is going to be a big part of the story. From the opening seconds, Bring on the Dancing Horses highlights the soundtrack, but it never becomes as important as it initially seems it should. There are some throwaway lines and a scene or two, but the audio presentation is very much an afterthought.

The story takes a while to get started, but once it does, it remains engaging. Bosworth is fantastic as the intriguing killer. She is a modern day Man With No Name, complete with badass attitude and intrigue. Her past is hinted at, and it seems like she is on a personal mission of justice. She does have a little more to say than the Clint Eastwood character, but even then, she gives of a sense of being in complete control of the situation.

The first episode of Bring on the Dancing Horses does what a good pilot episode should. It engages the audience while making them want more. The ending feels rushed, but the gripping lead up will have viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Sundance Film Festival is online January 20- January 30. Tickets can be purchased and a full lineup can be found here.