In today’s cinemas, westerns with a good turn-out are a rare occurrence. However, movies such as 3:10 To Yuma and the True Grit remake have proven to be shining gems in the annals of movie history. And it just so happens that Quentin Tarantino’s new film, The Hateful Eight, has a high place on that list of landmarks in cinema history.

Garnering an impressive score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, Tarantino’s latest work stars outstanding actors such as Kurt Russell, and Jennifer Jason-Leigh. Returning Tarantino cast members include Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, and Bruce Dern.

The setting takes place in 1870s Wyoming, and the film itself tells the tale of eight strangers being forced to take refuge at a tavern due to the blizzard that follows. Jackson portrays a bounty hunter named Marquis Warren, and Russell acts as another bounty hunter named John Ruth. Ruth has kidnapped a woman named Daisy Domergue (Jason-Leigh), who has a bounty of ten thousand dollars on her head. When they arrive at the tavern, they meet five other strangers. As the story progresses, tensions rise between the eight characters, and John Ruth grows increasingly suspicious of the people he’s sheltering with.

As a western, the film is outstanding. Powerful, convincing acting, incredible cinematography (courtesy of Robert Richardson), intense music and scoring (courtesy of Ennio Morricone), and realistic effects (done by Greg Nicotero), the movie stands out from the rest of the films in 2015, and provides a high standard for future westerns. The only downside to this movie happens to be the location, as it’s very straightforward and linear, taking place only at the tavern. Also, the lack of character development in the film is questionable, as the characters stay the same throughout the story. However, aside from all the hiccups, the film itself was beautifully directed, shot, scored, and performed, and deserves many accolades in the award ceremonies to come.