Strange Way of Life (2023)
Genre: Short Film, Western, Drama, Romance
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Strange Way of Life is a 31-minute English-Spanish short film that reimagines the Western genre through a queer lens. Starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, the film explores themes of love, regret, and emotional reckoning between two former lovers turned adversaries.
Plot Overview:
Set against the backdrop of a sun-scorched desert, the story follows Silva (Pedro Pascal), a rancher who rides into the town of Bitter Creek to reunite with his old friend and former flame, Sheriff Jake (Ethan Hawke), after 25 years. Their reunion—meant to rekindle affection—quickly becomes charged with tension as Jake is caught in a murder investigation involving Silva’s son.
Why It Stands Out:
Strange Way of Life is a Western told through intimacy and restraint, with Almodóvar infusing it with his signature emotional texture and visual elegance. The film turns the macho codes of the genre inside out, presenting a love story disguised as a confrontation. Both Hawke and Pascal deliver strong, layered performances, navigating the thin line between past tenderness and present duty.
Though brief, the film leaves a lasting impact—raising questions about masculinity, repression, and what remains unsaid between people who once shared everything. It’s a stylish, bold reinterpretation of the Western, with fashion-forward costuming and a contemplative tone.
Have you seen Strange Way of Life? What did you think about its portrayal of love, memory, and masculinity in a Western setting? Let us know your thoughts below! 👇
