Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Western

The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017) movie poster

The Ballad of Lefty Brown is a 2017 western directed by Jared Moshe, starring Bill Pullman as Lefty Brown, Peter Fonda and Kathy Baker. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $7,856 worldwide on a $8 million budget. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Stream it on Plex Channel, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$7.9K
Echo Score
60
The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Jared Moshe
Genre
Western
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Ballad of Lefty Brown About?

The premise of The Ballad of Lefty Brown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After the violent murder of his longtime partner, Eddie Johnson, seasoned sidekick Lefty Brown is left adrift and forced to reckon with his own place in the unforgiving West. Abandoning his former life, he sets out on a journey to find justice and confront the man responsible, ultimately leading him on a poignant path of self-discovery and redemption amidst the harsh frontier.

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • old west
  • reference to john wilkes booth
  • reference to wild bill hickok
  • two gun holster
  • long range rifle
  • revenge
  • murder
  • corrupt governor
  • sidekick
  • underdog
  • cowhand
  • unlikely hero
+38 more
  • montana
  • corrupt politician
  • murder of boss
  • shootout
  • gunfire
  • man hugs a dead man
  • standoff
  • memory
  • american flag
  • federal offense
  • apology
  • cauterizing a wound
  • salvation
  • head wound
  • native american
  • rescue
  • hired assassin
  • cigarette smoking
  • rustler
  • long underwear
  • violence
  • handcuffs
  • wrapped in a blanket
  • riding for help
  • parasol
  • rattlesnake
  • bunkhouse
  • dying
  • false accusation of murder
  • telegram
  • desert
  • lie
  • barn
  • saloon keeper
  • woman with a gun
  • medicine
  • buckshot
  • memorial service
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Ballad of Lefty Brown

Stream it on Plex Channel, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Cast & Characters

Bill Pullman leads the cast as Lefty Brown, with Peter Fonda as Edward Johnson and Kathy Baker as Laura Johnson. Directed by Jared Moshe; 11 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Ballad of Lefty Brown 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

60 /100

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Echo Score Breakdown

The Ballad of Lefty Brown’s narrative and performances offer a measured homage to classic western conventions, but certain elements limit its impact. Critics praised Bill Pullman’s compelling turn and the earnest cinematography, while others noted a by-the-book approach that can feel hollow. Some viewers found the pacing uneven and the plot predictable, though many appreciated the film’s sincerity and moments of genuine tension. Overall, the film delivers modest entertainment for genre enthusiasts but may struggle to fully engage broader audiences.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Moshe’s direction and the film’s visual composition offer a steady but conventional execution. The Montana landscapes receive praise for their wide framing and authentic detail, yet some critics and viewers criticized muted lighting and restrained production design. A few commentary points flagged occasional lapses in editing and blocked compositions. Consequently, the film achieves competent visual standards without pushing creative boundaries.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    Regarding character and emotion, Bill Pullman’s performance anchors the film with a grounded sincerity. Observers noted his ability to convey unflagging decency and to elicit sympathy for Lefty’s awkward earnestness. However, supporting characters sometimes feel underdeveloped and occasional dialogue lacks nuance, limiting deeper emotional stakes. In the end, strong lead acting sustains viewer interest even when secondary relationships do not fully resonate.

  • Story & Flow 55

    When it comes to story and flow, the film adheres closely to familiar western tropes with a clear revenge arc and deliberate pacing. Critics described the narrative as straightforward and at times predictable, while praise emerged for a handful of sparking action set pieces. Viewer responses cited uneven pacing and occasional narrative thinness as detractors from engagement. All told, the plot maintains basic coherence but seldom surprises.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    In terms of sensory experience, the sweeping score and ambient sound design support the dusty western atmosphere without drawing undue attention. The visual style features an understated color palette that reinforces period authenticity, yet some viewers found the earth-tone saturation monotonous and criticized the lack of dynamic lighting. Overall, the film delivers a cohesive aural and visual environment that remains serviceable but rarely striking.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    With regard to rewatch factor, the film’s sincere homage and solid lead performance provide occasional appeal for repeat viewings. Enthusiasts may revisit key character moments and scenic vistas, yet the predictability of the plot and modest narrative depth weaken lasting attraction. While some audience members value the tempered emotional beats, the film generally offers limited surprises or unfolding layers to sustain multiple viewings.

Plot

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Plot Summary

What happens in The Ballad of Lefty Brown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 1889, in the rugged landscape of Montana, a man emerges from a saloon, visibly wounded from a gunshot to the back. The lawman, Edward Johnson, steps in and instructs his partner, Lefty Brown, to take a detour to catch the assailant. However, the villain surprises Lefty by leaping from a window, and Lefty fails to apprehend him. Ed makes his way out to subdue the attacker and reprimands Lefty for his lapse in judgment. Without hesitation, Ed and Lefty march off to hang the man they have caught, dismissing Lefty’s concerns about the legality of their actions, as Ed believes in his own form of justice.

Full summary

The whole story of The Ballad of Lefty Brown, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Box Office & Budget

The Ballad of Lefty Brown grossed $7,856 worldwide on a $8 million budget.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.9K

US & Canada
$7.9K
Budget
$8M
Videos

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Ballad of Lefty Brown.

The Ballad of Lefty Brown | Official Trailer HD | A24
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Ballad of Lefty Brown?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What significant event does Lefty Brown witness in the beginning?

Details

The Ballad of Lefty Brown Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “La balada de Lefty Brown” and “A Vingança de Lefty Brown”.

Also known as
  • La balada de Lefty Brown
  • A Vingança de Lefty Brown
  • Η Εκδίκηση του Λέφτι Μπράουν
  • Балада за Лефти Браун
  • Баллада о Лефти Брауне
  • Balada o Lefty Brown
  • Lefty Brown'ın Şarkısı
  • La Balade de Lefty Brown
  • 左撇子布朗之歌
  • 발라드 오브 레프티 브라운
  • Балада про Лефті Брауна

Seen The Ballad of Lefty Brown?

FAQ

The Ballad of Lefty Brown FAQ: Where to Watch & Cast

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Ballad of Lefty Brown, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Ballad of Lefty Brown?

The Ballad of Lefty Brown runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was The Ballad of Lefty Brown released?

The Ballad of Lefty Brown was released on December 15, 2017.

Who directed The Ballad of Lefty Brown?

The Ballad of Lefty Brown was directed by Jared Moshe.

More films by Jared Moshe

Who is in the cast of The Ballad of Lefty Brown?

The Ballad of Lefty Brown stars Bill Pullman as Lefty Brown, Peter Fonda as Edward Johnson and Kathy Baker as Laura Johnson, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Ballad of Lefty Brown?

In the US, The Ballad of Lefty Brown is streaming on Plex Channel and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Ballad of Lefty Brown make at the box office?

The Ballad of Lefty Brown grossed $7,856 worldwide on a budget of $8 million.

How is The Ballad of Lefty Brown rated?

The Ballad of Lefty Brown has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does The Ballad of Lefty Brown have a post-credit scene?

No. The Ballad of Lefty Brown has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app