Prepare for a bullet-riddled journey of atonement when Gunslingers rides into theaters on April 11, 2025. This hard-hitting neo-Western follows reformed outlaw Thomas Keller (Stephen Dorff) and unhinged inventor Ben (Nicolas Cage) as they seek salvation under the guidance of the enigmatic spiritual leader Jericho (Costas Mandylor) in the aptly named town of Redemption. But when violence from their past resurfaces, their fragile peace is tested in a brutal showdown between redemption and revenge. Directed with stark visual poetry by S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk), the film blends explosive action with philosophical depth, exploring whether men forged in bloodshed can ever truly outrun their demons.
Featuring a powerhouse cast and stunning cinematography that transforms the New Mexico desert into a moral battleground, Gunslingers delivers both visceral gunfights and haunting character studies. From Cage’s signature manic intensity to Dorff’s world-weary gravitas, the film offers a fresh take on Western tropes while honoring the genre’s mythic roots. With its themes of spiritual reckoning and the cyclical nature of violence, this is more than a shoot-em-up—it’s a meditation on the price of second chances.
Full Cast of Gunslingers
– Stephen Dorff as Thomas Keller
Dorff (True Detective, Blade) delivers a career-best performance as Keller, a former gunslinger whose hands shake too much to draw—but not enough to prevent his past from catching up. The actor trained with historical firearms experts to perfect Keller’s distinctive, trauma-induced reloading style.
His most powerful scene comes in a silent confession to Jericho, where Dorff conveys a lifetime of regret through facial tics alone. The character’s arc—from broken man to reluctant protector—anchors the film’s emotional core.
– Nicolas Cage as Ben
Cage (Pig, Mandy) is electric as Ben, a deranged genius who crafts “redemption weapons” (including a shotgun that fires Bibles). The actor based his performance on paranoid inventors like Nikola Tesla, blending wild-eyed genius with unsettling vulnerability.
His monologue about “the geometry of forgiveness” (while demonstrating a 12-gauge crucifix) is instant Cage iconography. The role required him to learn 19th-century metallurgy for authentic weapon-building scenes.
– Costas Mandylor as Jericho
Mandylor (Saw franchise) brings quiet mysticism to Jericho, a former killer turned spiritual guide who communicates through riddles and rifle sights. The actor studied obscure Christian mysticism to develop Jericho’s sermon style.
His character’s shocking third-act sacrifice—using Keller’s own gun against him—redefines the film’s themes of violent grace.
– Heather Graham as Val
Graham (Boogie Nights) shines as Redemption’s cynical saloon keeper, whose ledger contains every sinner’s tab—both financial and moral. She modeled Val’s whiskey-poured swagger on real frontier madams.
Her showdown with Stallone’s Bella—a knife fight using broken bottles—required two months of stunt training. Graham’s improvisation (“The Lord giveth… I collect”) became the film’s tagline.
– Randall Batinkoff as Cooper Barnes
Batinkoff (School Ties) plays Keller’s estranged brother with simmering rage. His character’s prosthetic arm (concealing a hidden derringer) was designed with input from Civil War surgeons.
The actors’ climactic duel—fought with their father’s twin pistols—features a revolutionary “bullet time” sequence showing both perspectives simultaneously.
– Tzi Ma as Lin
The Mulan star brings gravitas as Lin, a railroad magnate funding Redemption’s church… with strings attached. Ma developed Lin’s backstory as a former Tong enforcer turned “businessman.”
His tea ceremony with Cage—where every stir corresponds to a hidden threat—is a masterclass in silent tension.
– Jeremy Kent Jackson as Robert Keller
Jackson (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) appears in flashbacks as Keller’s abusive father, whose shadow looms over the story. He and Dorff worked with a dialect coach to match their vocal tics across timelines.
The opening scene—showing young Robert teaching Thomas to shoot by aiming at bottles labeled “MERCY”—sets the film’s moral stakes.
– Scarlet Rose Stallone as Bella
Stallone’s film debut electrifies as Bella, Jericho’s knife-wielding protégé. She trained with Kali martial artists for her brutal fight choreography.
Her character’s leather-bound scripture (with blade-cut margin notes) became a sought-after prop replica.
– William McNamara as The Preacher
McNamara (Copycat) chews scenery as a fire-and-brimstone hypocrite. His sermon scenes were filmed in one take with live rattlesnakes.
The actor’s improvised line (“Redemption’s just hell with better PR”) made the final cut.
Technical Highlights
- Weapons: 47 historically accurate firearms were custom-built
- Locations: Shot at Billy the Kid’s actual haunts in Lincoln, NM
- Sound Design: Gunshots were recorded using 1870s powder loads
- Costumes: Bloodstains were “aged” using 19th-century methods
