‘RANSOM CANYON’ IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENSEMBLE SEXY-LITE WESTERN
Bouncing off the success of their small-town dramas (or this is likely the theory), Netflix presents Ransom Canyon, a drama with well-known stars in a western life setting.
Ransom Canyon (2025) Netflix TV Binge Release Review
Learning to move on after the death of his wife, and running Double K Ranch – as owner and sole resident, is the only purpose of Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel). It’s a harsh and lonely life, but one he is clinging to. Especially after another death, and the only person keeping him going.
Living in New York where she tries to pursue a career as a pianist, Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) returns to Ransom Canyon as a new business owner. The best friend of Staten’s wife, Quinn feels like she has a connection with Staten that means she cannot leave him alone in his grief.
Sharing a past, but also some adversarial challenges, Staten and Quinn set into motion a series of events that fuel unexpected moments and secrets.
‘RANSOM CANYON’ IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENSEMBLE SEXY WESTERN. #RansomCanyon #Netflix #JoshDuhamel #MinkaKelly #Western #Romance Share on XGiven how successful their small-town dramas are (think Sweet Magnolias or Virgin River), I’m not at all surprised that this happened. It also seems to have the ideal home on Netflix. The show brings with it not just the tag of being an adaptation (based on novels by Jodi Thomas), but a great cast, too.
It’s fabulous to see Minka Kelly (she’s good in this) again, and of course, Josh Duhamel has been in many roles. They are both good on screen and I love their scenes together. They are presenting characters who have this obvious connection which inspires a will-they-or-won’t-they agenda. (I can tell already, this one won’t let them be together which is kind of annoying! Like The Way Home, I have to mention, that my annoyance – so far, is directed at a certain person in this would be romance.) In a quote, the creator April Blair says, of their relationship, that this “chemistry just crackles. It just really set the whole season in motion.”
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“You’ve had a piece of my heart for as long as I can remember.”
– RANSOM CANYON
Another thing that sets the season into motion? The opening shot. It’s cliche yes, but also ideal for this show. It has the sun rising, sweeping scenery and a rugged looking cowboy on on horse. Though contemporary, this is definitely a western show, and Blair also said that she wanted to do something that kind of paid homage to old westerns by leaning “into a more bygone era Western.” The story does indeed invoke this reaction, and was shot in Albuquerque. It has charm and while it does have the same aesthetic as other small town sagas, Ransom Canyon still has merit.
The cast is stacked beyond the two leads that set the tone, which also includes Philip Winchester (Crusoe) and Eoin Macken many of whom will make you swoon and make attractive pairs in full western duds. It may also confuse because of how many characters there are plus a mystery sets up in episode one (which will no doubt get soapy). Safe to say that anyone who likes Netflix’s similar dramas will enjoy this. If you don’t, well, then let me just remind you that the cast looks good in cowboy hats.
Photos: Alamy
Content: There is some sneaking around with couples who aren’t together. Lots of making out and innuendo. Scenes of teens partying and drinking alcohol and/or cigarettes/drugs. Every male character (which is annoying) seems to overindulge in alcohol. The f-word is used as is GD and other minor profanity. Note: This is based off only episodes one and two (at present). The show rates TVMA.
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