New Movies: Fall Is a Good Time to Die (2025) by Dalton Coffey: A Rural Pursuit of Justice

Core Summary: Vengeance and Moral Crossings in South Dakota Fall Is a Good Time to Die (2025) is a crime drama that follows a young ranch hand on a quest for justice for his sister across the vast landscapes of South Dakota. As he grapples with the moral implications of his impending actions, his path intertwines with a local county sheriff wrestling with the consequences of her past decisions. The film promises a contemplative yet tense exploration of vengeance, responsibility, and the complexities of justice in a stark, rural setting.

Summary Short: Frontier Justice and Entwined Fates In South Dakota, a ranch hand embarks on a personal mission of justice for his sister, leading him down a path that crosses with a county sheriff confronting her own moral history. The film explores themes of vengeance, consequence, and the challenging definitions of right and wrong in a quiet, yet unforgiving, landscape.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33749107/

About movie: https://buffalo8.com/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/fall-is-a-good-time-to-die (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/fall-is-a-good-time-to-die (Canada)

Detailed Summary: A Twin Journey of Righting Wrongs Fall Is a Good Time to Die (2025) is a crime and drama film set against the expansive backdrop of South Dakota. The narrative centers on two interconnected yet distinct journeys:

• The Ranch Hand's Quest: A young ranch hand, Cody, is driven by a singular purpose: to seek justice for his sister. His journey is presented as a pursuit that forces him to confront his own moral compass as he contemplates the actions he is about to take.

• The Sheriff's Burden: Simultaneously, the story introduces a local county sheriff. Her character is depicted as someone grappling with the repercussions of past decisions, suggesting a personal history that weighs heavily on her present.

• Intertwined Paths: The paths of the ranch hand and the sheriff converge, creating a narrative where their individual struggles and quests for justice (or atonement) become intricately linked.

• Contemplative Tensions: The film is described as wrestling with the protagonist's internal conflict and exploring the nuances of justice, indicating a focus on moral dilemmas and character introspection rather than just overt action.

Plot summary

• Personal Vengeance: The central plot follows a young ranch hand, Cody, as he seeks justice for his sister in the expansive landscape of South Dakota. The exact nature of the injustice is not detailed but forms the core motivation for his actions.

• Moral Dilemma: As Cody pursues his goal, he is depicted as wrestling with the implications of his actions, suggesting a journey fraught with moral ambiguity and difficult choices.

• Intersecting Lives: Cody's path converges with that of a local county sheriff. Her character is dealing with her own past decisions, implying a complex personal history that influences her current actions and worldview.

• Dual Perspectives on Justice: The film aims to present two different perspectives on justice – Cody's personal quest for retribution and the sheriff's struggle with the consequences of her professional or personal past.

• Rural Setting: The South Dakota ranch land provides a stark and potentially isolating backdrop for the unfolding drama, influencing the characters' interactions and the overall tone.

Director's Vision Information specifically detailing Dalton Coffey's director's vision for Fall Is a Good Time to Die is limited in the available search results. However, based on the plot summary, it can be inferred that his vision likely involves:

• Character-Driven Drama: A focus on the internal struggles and moral complexities of the main characters (the ranch hand and the sheriff).

• Exploration of Justice: A nuanced examination of different forms of justice—personal vengeance versus potentially legal or moral consequences.

• Atmospheric Setting: Utilizing the "vast landscape of South Dakota" to create a distinct, possibly somber or contemplative, atmosphere that influences the narrative.

• Subtle Tensions: The description "wrestles with what he is about to do" suggests a vision that builds tension through character introspection and moral dilemmas rather than overt action.

Themes

• Justice and Vengeance: The central theme revolves around the pursuit of justice, contrasting a personal, potentially vengeful quest with the complexities of law and consequence.

• Consequence and Responsibility: Both protagonists are dealing with the ramifications of past or impending actions, highlighting themes of responsibility and the long-lasting impact of choices.

• Moral Ambiguity: The film is likely to explore the grey areas of morality, questioning what constitutes "right" or "wrong" in the face of personal trauma and the desire for retribution.

• Rural Life and Isolation: The setting in South Dakota suggests themes related to rural communities, self-reliance, and potentially the isolation that can foster personal quests for justice.

• Personal Struggle: The internal wrestling match experienced by both the ranch hand and the sheriff indicates themes of inner turmoil, guilt, and the burden of personal history.

Key success factors

• Strong Character Performances: The film's emphasis on character internal struggles will rely heavily on compelling performances from its lead actors.

• Evocative Cinematography: Utilizing the "vast landscape of South Dakota" could provide visually striking and atmospheric cinematography, enhancing the film's tone.

• Nuanced Storytelling: A successful execution would involve a layered narrative that explores the complexities of justice and morality without simplistic resolutions.

• Engaging Moral Dilemmas: The ability to present compelling moral questions that resonate with the audience and drive the characters' development.

• Director's Vision for Indie Drama: Dalton Coffey's ability to craft a compelling, character-focused drama within a crime framework.

Production Summary Fall Is a Good Time to Die is a crime and drama film directed by Dalton Coffey. The movie has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes. It stars Joey Lauren Adams, Joe Hiatt, Jennifer Pierce Mathus, and Borden Rolf.

Production companies Aught Six Films

Sales companies Buffalo 8 Productions

Distribution companies

• Plex (United States) - Primary streaming platform.

• Moviefone (United States) - Will make the film available for digital and VOD.

Release date on streaming Fall Is a Good Time to Die will be available to watch on digital and VOD platforms, including Plex, starting Friday, June 20, 2025.

Why to recommend this movie

• Intriguing Premise: The dual narrative of a ranch hand seeking justice and a sheriff grappling with her past offers a compelling setup for a character-driven drama.

• Exploration of Justice: For viewers interested in moral complexities and different facets of justice beyond simple good-versus-evil narratives, the film promises a thoughtful approach.

• Atmospheric Setting: The South Dakota landscape provides a unique and potentially visually striking backdrop, adding depth to the story.

• Potential for Strong Performances: With a focus on character, the film offers a platform for its cast to deliver impactful, nuanced portrayals.

Why to Watch Movie

• Character Study: If you enjoy films that delve deep into the psychological and moral struggles of their protagonists, this movie is likely to appeal.

• Rural Crime Drama: Fans of crime dramas set in less common, atmospheric locations will find the South Dakota setting intriguing.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: The film's themes of justice, vengeance, and consequence offer intellectual engagement beyond simple entertainment.

• Independent Cinema: Supporting independent films often brings unique perspectives and storytelling approaches that differ from mainstream productions.

Movie Trend Fall Is a Good Time to Die appears to align with the "Neo-Western Crime Drama" trend. This trend often combines elements of traditional Westerns (rural settings, themes of justice and vengeance outside formal law, morally conflicted protagonists) with contemporary crime narratives. These films typically feature stark landscapes, a focus on the psychological burdens of their characters, and often a bleak or contemplative tone.

Social Trend The film could be seen as aligning with the "Individual Accountability and Personal Justice" social trend. In an era where trust in formal institutions can waver, there's a recurring societal fascination with individuals taking matters of justice into their own hands, or confronting personal historical wrongs. This trend reflects a desire to see consequences for actions, even if outside conventional legal frameworks, and explores the personal toll of such quests.

Final Verdict Fall Is a Good Time to Die presents an intriguing premise as a contemplative crime drama set in the stark beauty of South Dakota. While specific details and critical reception are currently limited, the film's focus on a ranch hand's quest for justice and a sheriff's reckoning with her past suggests a nuanced exploration of morality, consequence, and the pursuit of truth in a unforgiving landscape. It holds the potential to be a compelling watch for those who appreciate character-driven narratives and the complexities of justice in a neo-Western setting.

Recommendations for film makers

• Harness the Setting: Utilize the unique and vast landscape of South Dakota as a character in itself, allowing it to influence the mood, pace, and themes of the film.

• Deepen Character Arcs: With a dual protagonist structure, ensure both the ranch hand and the sheriff have compelling, intertwined, and evolving moral journeys that drive the narrative.

• Subtle Storytelling: Given the "wrestling" with actions and pasts, focusing on nuanced performances and atmospheric tension can be more impactful than overt plot points.

• Authenticity in Rural Depiction: Aim for an authentic portrayal of rural life and its unique challenges, adding realism to the crime drama elements.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Regional Filmmaking: Invest in stories and filmmakers operating outside traditional industry hubs, particularly those that can leverage unique regional landscapes and cultural contexts.

• Champion Character-Driven Genre Films: Recognize the value of genre films (like crime dramas) that prioritize complex character development and thematic depth alongside plot.

• Embrace Digital Distribution for Niche Films: For films that may not have wide theatrical appeal but possess artistic merit, a strong digital and VOD release strategy can be highly effective for reaching target audiences.

• Cultivate New Voices: Provide opportunities for emerging directors like Dalton Coffey to bring their visions to the screen, especially when they offer fresh takes on established genres.

Final Conclusions Fall Is a Good Time to Die promises a compelling and thoughtful entry into the crime drama genre, distinguished by its unique South Dakota setting and its dual exploration of justice, vengeance, and personal reckoning. While details are still emerging, Dalton Coffey's film appears poised to offer a nuanced character study against a backdrop of natural vastness and human struggle. Its potential lies in its ability to deliver a morally complex and emotionally resonant narrative that resonates with audiences seeking more than just a typical crime thriller.