Every Taylor Sheridan Movie, Ranked Worst to Best

Taylor Sheridan began his directing journey with a bloody detour into horror. And it becomes clear within minutes that this world was not where he was meant to stay. Vile follows a group of friends who wake up inside a house with strangers. They soon find out they must hurt each other to get out alive. The story tries to recreate the dread of Saw. But the scares barely land. The camera wobbles at all the wrong moments. The acting feels like a school project that got out of hand.

The idea behind the film could have been fun in a wild and campy way. But it never leans into anything fully. The movie is not scary enough to satisfy horror fans. It is not stylish enough, either, to hold anyone’s attention. Yes, Sheridan later proved that he could craft real tension, but this was not it.

7 White Rush (2003)

White Rush sits in the strange corner of Taylor Sheridan’s filmography. Here he appears in front of the camera instead of behind it. He plays a character named Tug in this crime thriller about tourists who randomly discover the messy remains of a drug deal. Instead of walking away, they make the brilliant decision to grab the leftover stash and try selling it.

The plan predictably spirals (there won’t be any plot if it didn’t). But the film never finds its footing. It is forgettable from start to finish. Though we can say that it is slightly more polished than Vile. But this film could not really leave a mark. Sheridan’s presence adds a tiny bit of curiosity, which can make you want to watch it. But the film itself does not offer much else.

6 Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Sheridan stepped into the big studio arena with Those Who Wish Me Dead. The setup is very simple. A boy sees his father get murdered and bolts into the Montana wilderness. He bumps into Hannah Faber, played by Angelina Jolie, who is already carrying her own guilt. Suddenly, she finds herself protecting a terrified kid while two assassins chase them through fire and forest.

There is smoke everywhere, trees falling apart, and lightning flashing in the distance. And we see Jolie sprinting through chaos like she is late for something important. It looks good and it moves fast. The actors push through every beat with full commitment.

But the story itself stays very obvious. You can almost guess each turn a few minutes before it happens. It is a fun watch because the momentum never stops. But it leaves the mind the moment it ends.

5 Without Remorse (2021)

Without Remorse takes Tom Clancy’s world and throws it straight into high gear. Sheridan teams up with Will Staples for the script, shaping John Clark’s journey after his pregnant wife and his teammates are killed. Michael B. Jordan jumps into the role. He brings all the emotion, all the grit, and basically carries the whole film on his shoulders.

The movie has plenty of slick moments. There are tense shootouts, quiet sneaking around corners, and a pace that rarely slows down. It checks every Clancy-style box. Revenge. Government secrets. A lead character who has absolutely nothing left to lose.

The movie delivers sharp encounters, stealth sequences, and a steady pace. It also falls into the territory of familiar Clancy-style thrills. There is revenge, corruption, and a hero with little to lose. Taylor Sheridan’s writing keeps the plot tight enough, but the film does not quite have the raw punch seen in his best work. Even so, it stands above his weaker entries because it embraces what it is and lets Jordan’s performance run the show.

4 Sicario: Day Of The Soldado (2018)

The success of Sicario led Taylor Sheridan to return to the world of border politics and cartel warfare with Sicario: Day of the Soldado. This time, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin lead the story. The whole thing is built around a covert plan to spark a war between Mexican cartels after officials suspect they are helping terrorists cross the border. It is a darker and more ruthless journey than the first film.

What keeps this sequel high on the list is its brutal efficiency. The action sequences are sharp and chilling. The moral fog is thick. The narrative of the story goes into a risky territory. But it still stays gripping as the characters make one impossible choice after another. While it does not quite reach the same artistic height as the original Sicario, it still delivers something bold. Sheridan’s writing here is full of the complexity of violence and consequence. This gives the film real weight.

3 Wind River (2017)

Wind River marks Sheridan’s move into deeper territory. The movie is set in the snowy place of the Wind River Indian Reservation. It follows the life of Cory Lambert, played by Jeremy Renner. He is a tracker helping young FBI agent Jane Banner, played by Elizabeth Olsen, solve the murder of a local woman. The backdrop becomes a character in itself, cold and heavy, shaping every interaction and clue.

This is where Taylor Sheridan’s voice sharpens. The film uses silence, grief, and isolation as storytelling tools. The characters feel grounded and tired in very human ways. The script pulls viewers slowly into the emotional center of the mystery. The violence is restrained but devastating. Even though it is a crime thriller, Wind River is way more thoughtful. It sits comfortably among his strongest films for its patience and honesty.

2 Hell Or High Water (2016)

Hell or High Water is Sheridan at his most relaxed and sharp at the same time. The film follows two brothers, played by Chris Pine and Ben Foster. They start knocking over small banks so they can save their family ranch. The whole plan is messy and a little reckless for sure. But there is a strange charm to the way they go about it. As they drive through towns and dusty roads, the story slowly becomes more about the people. It shows what people will do to hold on to the last pieces of their lives.

The pacing is gentle and steady. The characters talk in a way that feels real. Taylor Sheridan keeps things simple but loaded with feeling. The film even picked up four Oscar nominations, and it is very easy to see why. There is tension, humor, heartbreak, and a whole lot of truth sitting between the lines. It is one of Sheridan’s most complete and satisfying films.

1 Sicario (2015)

Sicario takes the top-tier spot for good reason. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Sheridan, it follows Emily Blunt’s FBI agent as she joins a task force targeting a powerful Mexican cartel. From the first scene, the film traps viewers in a tight grip. Every moment feels unpredictable. The dread is constant. The characters carry layers of pain and purpose.

Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin add to the pressure, making it feel even heavier. Slowly, the lines between justice and revenge start to blur. The film even picked up three Oscar nominations. Sheridan’s amazing script added depth to the story. There was a sense of fear and moral confusion in the movie. It made the whole thing feel painfully real.

Which Taylor Sheridan movie is your absolute favorite? Let us know in the comments.