4 Years Later, AMC’s Western Noir Thriller Is Already Considered a Classic

When it comes to modern television, it’s difficult to pin down a select few shows that could be considered classics. Of course, there’s Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad, which have all been elevated (perhaps to their detriment) by critics and audiences over the years. But when it comes to Western television and noir thrillers, few programs have made as impactful a dent as AMC’s Dark Winds. For four seasons (thus far), the groundbreaking mystery series — executive produced by George R.R. Martin and the late Robert Redford — has kept viewers on the edge of their seats — and it shows no real signs of slowing down.

‘Dark Winds’ Has Proven Itself as the Perfect Genre Mash-Up

While neo-Westerns have become quite popular in the last decade due to Yellowstone and shows like it, Dark Winds takes the horse opera a step further by infusing it with noir mystery elements and sending us backwards in time to the 1970s. The AMC period drama is truly unlike any other, and we’re not just saying that because it has a nice ring to it. Trading the usual noir settings of New York City or Los Angeles for the middle-of-nowhere Navajo Nation — which is about as traditionally Western as you can get outside Monument Valley itself — the program takes the original mystery novels by author Tony Hillerman and subverts them in clever and creative ways. The spirit of tales like The Ghostway and People of Darkness remains, though reinterpreted by the show’s Native American writers.

Of course, that’s all window dressing. The real reason we continue to be so enthralled by Dark Winds after four years is because of the leading heroes themselves. After Lt. Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) is partnered with newcomer (and secret FBI agent) Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), they investigate a series of robberies that connect to the mysterious Buffalo Society of radicals making trouble on the rez. As the series progresses, the duo — joined by Sgt. Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) — find themselves on the trail of new cases, ranging from everything to hitmen, cults, whodunits, and criminal conspiracies that take them even to the City of Angels. The way that Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito evolve and grow over several years — between returning to their roots, redemption arcs, and wrestling with their own criminal behavior — proves that there is still so much to explore.

In four seasons, Dark Winds has proven itself a masterclass in genre blending, utilizing standard Western aesthetics and detective noir structure to craft a show unlike anything else currently on television. The series aims to be authentic in its exploration of Navajo/Dine culture, while also maintaining a level of excitement and narrative flexibility that keeps the program fresh each year. It’s both respectful of the Native American mythology and customs and true to the material, going out of its way to ensure that every level of Navajo culture is confirmed by its on-site cultural consultants. It’s no wonder it has been so acclaimed.

‘Dark Winds’ Is Still Going Strong With a Fifth Season Underway

Renewed for a fifth season, Dark Winds remains a promising drama that continues to take new twists and turns, with rich, psychologically driven storytelling that rarely pulls its punches. Each new season pushes these characters into daring situations that often border on the supernatural, whether that means desert witches, psychological monsters, or ghostly visions that cannot be unseen. You won’t find another neo-Western or noir program on television right now quite as riveting as this Tony Hillerman adaptation, and though it is admittedly a serious departure from the novels in some respects, Dark Winds has carved its own path and destiny similarly to the way that Longmire did in relation to the Craig Johnson books (funny enough, McClarnon was featured on that show too).

So, if you love season-long mysteries, Western-themed tales, and neo-noir thrills, then Dark Winds ought to be your first watch. How many shows can say that they boast a Robert Redford cameo? With Season 5 still in the works, there’s no better time to dive into the series and get caught up. After all, that Season 4 cliffhanger is just waiting to be answered, and there’s no telling when AMC will drop the next batch of episodes. Until then, you can find Dark Winds on various streaming platforms in its entirety.