Americana

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8 / 10

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Overview

When a rare Lakota Ghost Shirt falls into the black market in a small town in South Dakota, the lives of local outsiders and outcasts violently intertwine.

Media

AMERICANA (2023) | Sneak Peek | BRON Studios

Cast

Director:

Tony Tost

Writer:

Tony Tost

Release Date:

2025-08-15

Run Time:

107m

Tagline:

Welcome to the new west.

Genres:

Action Crime Thriller Western

Keywords:

ambivalent amused artifact biting celebratory dark comedy indigenous community south dakota

Financials and Popularity

Budget: 9,000,000.00$

Revenue: 500,000.00$

Vote Average: 6.3/10

Vote Count: 133 Votes

Movie Popularity: 3.5034

Spoken Languages: English

Review

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Insomniacs Reviews
- 29 April 2026 at 1:52 pm

8 Based on 1 Votes
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⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 8/10 THE SUMMARY Directed by Tony Tost, Americana is a sun-drenched neo-western that feels like a love letter to the gritty ensemble thrillers of the 90s. The story revolves around a stolen Lakota artifact—a legendary "ghost shirt"—that surfaces on the black market in a small South Dakota town. This single item pulls together a chaotic group of outsiders, including Penny Jo (Sydney Sweeney), a shy waitress with a stutter, and Lefty (Paul Walter Hauser), a lovelorn war veteran. Throw in a country singer (Halsey) and a ruthless antiquities dealer, and you’ve got a high-stakes heist where everyone is desperate for a win. THE PROS Sydney Sweeney is fantastic here, playing against her usual glamorous image to deliver a quiet, sincere performance that really anchors the film’s emotional heart. Paul Walter Hauser is the perfect partner for her; their chemistry is incredibly sweet and grounded, making you root for them even when they’re in way over their heads. It’s an 8/10 because the cinematography is stunning, capturing the vast, barren beauty of the American landscape in a way that feels honest and atmospheric. Tony Tost’s direction keeps the various interlocking storylines moving with a sharp, punchy energy that prevents the plot from getting too tangled. The first part of the movie does a great job of introducing these "forgotten" characters with humor and genuine empathy. THE CONS It earns an 8/10 because the middle part can feel a bit sluggish as the movie jumps between its many different character perspectives, sometimes losing the momentum of the main heist. While the "chapter" structure is clever, it occasionally feels a little self-conscious, like it’s trying a bit too hard to mimic a Tarantino flick. It misses a higher mark because the final showdown is a bit of a standard shootout that doesn't quite live up to the unique, quirky tension built up in the first part. Some of the logic regarding how everyone keeps bumping into each other in the middle of nowhere requires a bit of a leap of faith. THE VERDICT An 8/10. A gripping, stylish neo-western that is a winner for anyone who loves a good character-driven crime saga. It’s a sincere effort that manages to be both funny and tragic, showing a side of the American dream that is rarely seen on screen. While it doesn't quite reach "epic status," it’s a total banger for a weekend watch and one of the best indie surprises of 2025. If you’re a fan of Sweeney or Hauser, this is a must-see for the performances alone. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA • Directing Debut: This film marks the directorial debut of Tony Tost, who is best known for his work as a writer on acclaimed series like Longmire and The Terror.• Original Title: During its early development and festival run, the movie was originally titled "National Anthem" before being renamed for its wider theatrical release.• Real Artifacts: To keep the cultural elements honest, the production worked with Indigenous consultants to ensure the portrayal of the Lakota artifact and its significance was handled with respect and accuracy. THE VIBE Like a dusty road trip at sunset. It smells of old denim, dry sagebrush, and the metallic tang of a cold soda can.

Videos

AMERICANA (2023) | Sneak Peek | BRON Studios

Cast

Paul Walter Hauser

Harriet Sansom Harris

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Americana

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Americana

Comment (1)

Insomniacs Reviews
- 29 April 2026 at 2:52 PM

⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 8/10
THE SUMMARY
Directed by Tony Tost, Americana is a sun-drenched neo-western that feels like a love letter to the gritty ensemble thrillers of the 90s. The story revolves around a stolen Lakota artifact—a legendary “ghost shirt”—that surfaces on the black market in a small South Dakota town. This single item pulls together a chaotic group of outsiders, including Penny Jo (Sydney Sweeney), a shy waitress with a stutter, and Lefty (Paul Walter Hauser), a lovelorn war veteran. Throw in a country singer (Halsey) and a ruthless antiquities dealer, and you’ve got a high-stakes heist where everyone is desperate for a win.
THE PROS
Sydney Sweeney is fantastic here, playing against her usual glamorous image to deliver a quiet, sincere performance that really anchors the film’s emotional heart. Paul Walter Hauser is the perfect partner for her; their chemistry is incredibly sweet and grounded, making you root for them even when they’re in way over their heads. It’s an 8/10 because the cinematography is stunning, capturing the vast, barren beauty of the American landscape in a way that feels honest and atmospheric. Tony Tost’s direction keeps the various interlocking storylines moving with a sharp, punchy energy that prevents the plot from getting too tangled. The first part of the movie does a great job of introducing these “forgotten” characters with humor and genuine empathy.
THE CONS
It earns an 8/10 because the middle part can feel a bit sluggish as the movie jumps between its many different character perspectives, sometimes losing the momentum of the main heist. While the “chapter” structure is clever, it occasionally feels a little self-conscious, like it’s trying a bit too hard to mimic a Tarantino flick. It misses a higher mark because the final showdown is a bit of a standard shootout that doesn’t quite live up to the unique, quirky tension built up in the first part. Some of the logic regarding how everyone keeps bumping into each other in the middle of nowhere requires a bit of a leap of faith.
THE VERDICT
An 8/10. A gripping, stylish neo-western that is a winner for anyone who loves a good character-driven crime saga. It’s a sincere effort that manages to be both funny and tragic, showing a side of the American dream that is rarely seen on screen. While it doesn’t quite reach “epic status,” it’s a total banger for a weekend watch and one of the best indie surprises of 2025. If you’re a fan of Sweeney or Hauser, this is a must-see for the performances alone.
INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
• Directing Debut: This film marks the directorial debut of Tony Tost, who is best known for his work as a writer on acclaimed series like Longmire and The Terror.
• Original Title: During its early development and festival run, the movie was originally titled “National Anthem” before being renamed for its wider theatrical release.
• Real Artifacts: To keep the cultural elements honest, the production worked with Indigenous consultants to ensure the portrayal of the Lakota artifact and its significance was handled with respect and accuracy.
THE VIBE
Like a dusty road trip at sunset. It smells of old denim, dry sagebrush, and the metallic tang of a cold soda can.

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