Six Supernatural Westerns That Echo the Style of ‘Bass X Machina’

If you’re seeking supernatural Westerns reminiscent of Netflix’s Bass X Machina, this guide offers top picks. The series, a 100%‑rated blend of Western, steampunk, and sci‑fi, has set a high bar for inventive genre storytelling.

While Bass X Machina reimagines the legendary bounty hunter Bass Reeves in an alternate‑history setting—without a cyborg arm—its horror‑laden, steampunk aesthetic has earned widespread praise.

Sci‑fi and horror‑inflected Westerns are rare, and even fewer are truly compelling. For fans of Bass X Machina’s vibe, here are the standout supernatural Westerns to explore while waiting for a potential second season.

6
Priest (2011)

Priest (2011) is a quirky, uneven vampire Western that places Paul Bettany in a post‑apocalyptic setting. The film’s visual style most closely mirrors that of Bass X Machina, blending traditional Western themes with steampunk and anime aesthetics; Bettany rides a hover bike across a vast desert wasteland. A strong supporting cast—including Karl Urban as the villain, Maggie Q, Christopher Plummer, and Lily Collins—adds depth to the proceedings.

The story functions as a stealth remake of The Searchers, following Bettany’s character as he attempts to rescue his kidnapped niece from a horde of vampires. Despite clunky dialogue, the movie delivers well‑executed action sequences and impressive production design, all within a concise 80‑minute runtime.

5
Ghosts of Mars (2001)

John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars (2001) was a space Western that missed the mark, prompting the director to step back from mainstream filmmaking. The film should have been marketed as a tongue‑in‑cheek B‑movie actioner rather than a straightforward horror title. Set in 2176, the story transposes classic Western themes to Mars, depicting a dusty frontier planet with remote outposts. Protagonists, among them a young Jason Statham, battle miners possessed by ancient Martian spirits.

Though its sets and effects feel dated, and the layered flashback narrative feels over‑complicated, the movie offers a surprisingly creative mix of Western frontier spirit and sci‑fi technology—perfect for viewers who enjoy off‑beat genre hybrids.

4
High Plains Drifter (1973)

C Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, High Plains Drifter (1973), casts him as a mysterious Stranger who arrives in an isolated mining town under the pretense of protecting its inhabitants from vengeful bandits. However, the Stranger pursues a hidden agenda, punishing the town for its past sins. While the film superficially follows Western conventions, it is infused with horror elements, suggesting the Stranger may be a supernatural entity—evident when he paints the town red and renames it “Hell.” The movie’s stark violence, including a grueling whipping scene, underscores its unforgiving tone. Though less polished than Eastwood’s later work such as The Outlaw Josey Wales, the film’s raw intensity has kept audiences debating the Stranger’s ethereal nature for decades.

3
Near Dark (1987)

Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark (1987) blends horror and Neo‑Western, a combination that initially flopped but later earned cult status. The film is both intensely violent and visually striking, enhanced by Tangerine Dream’s ethereal score and Bigelow’s sharp desert cinematography. Bigelow humanizes the vampire protagonists, portraying them as a fraught family whose love‑hate dynamics deepen the narrative. This makes scenes like the bar massacre all the more unsettling as the clan slaughters trapped patrons.

Despite featuring modern weapons and vehicles, the movie’s atmosphere evokes the 1880s, preserving a timeless, isolated frontier mentality that culminates in a classic Western showdown.

2
Pale Rider (1985)

Pale Rider (1985) revitalized the Western genre after the disastrous *Heaven’s Gate* sent the market into a tailspin. It also marked Clint Eastwood’s return to Westerns after a decade, as he portrayed a mysterious gunslinger who arrives in a small town to deliver righteous vengeance. While often compared to *High Plains Drifter*, the film differs in its explicit supernatural element: Eastwood confirmed that the Preacher is a genuine ghost, giving the story a subtle horror undertone. Without resorting to jump scares or graphic bloodshed, the movie follows an avenging angelic figure who confronts evil.

Despite being overshadowed by later Eastwood classics like *Unforgiven*, *Pale Rider* remains one of his most understated and potent Westerns, featuring tight storytelling, memorable characters, and a standout final shootout.

1
Sinners (2025)

Sinners (2025) is an eclectic genre mashup that weaves together horror, romance, Southern Gothic, and even musical elements. At its heart lies a vampire Western, drawing inspiration from Quentin Tarantino’s *From Dusk Till Dawn*. Thematically, *Sinners* aligns closely with *Bass X Machina*, as both Ryan Coogler and the creators of the series confront America’s history of racism and oppression while celebrating marginalized cultures—all without sacrificing the thrill of action and horror.

*Sinners* succeeds by seamlessly blending its diverse influences and by allowing audiences to connect with its characters before confronting visceral, deadly confrontations. Coogler, known for his dynamic action sequences in films like *Black Panther*, delivers several intense battle scenes in this Southern epic. While it lacks the steampunk flair of *Bass X Machina*, the two works complement each other nicely. Coogler’s bold genre experiment stands out as one of the most emotionally resonant horror films of the past decade and fully deserves its critical acclaim.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Source link