Netflix’s ‘Bass X Machina’ Is the Dark Western Epic You Didn’t Know You Needed

Bass X Machina seems to draw from many influences, ranging from animated shows like Arcane to neo-Westerns such as Django Unchained, but the series also has its own intriguing approach to its story. The Old West setting isn’t just for aesthetics; it plays into every aspect of Bass and Dana’s journey. The scars of war, the tensions of a divided nation, and the struggle to do the right thing in a world filled with corruption are all at the heart of each episode. Bass is a man who fights to protect the very society that oppresses him, constantly walking the line between the man that war made him and the man he wishes to be.

It’s a fascinating context that transforms Bass X Machina into something much more than gunfights and action scenes. One mid-season episode in particular, set aboard a train, becomes a half-hour debate on the nature of revenge, identity, and survival. Bass’ way of doing things, as well as Dana’s, is questioned at many turns, while the villains’ motivations are more complex than you might imagine. That’s not something every adult animated project can offer, and while the internal battles mean the show’s pace can slow down at times, the story is delivered so elegantly that this is a small complaint.

The Action in Netflix’s ‘Bass X Machina’ Is Out of This World

Image via Netflix

Steampunk Westerns aren’t a new subgenre, but rarely has the balance between Old West society and sci-fi technology been struck so perfectly as in Bass X Machina. Cybernetics is something that is shown to be resisted by humans, mirroring our current-day relationship with AI, and that allows the story to begin in a predominantly Western setting while slowly broadening the world’s horizons as it progresses. Little touches, such as robot bartenders or Dana’s notepad, suggest a society on the verge of a technological leap beyond our present capabilities.

That blend of Western and sci-fi also gives way to fascinating locations like the workshop of Etta (Starletta DuPois), a bad-tempered inventor who becomes Dana’s idol, or the mesmerizing final showdown set in a construction site filled with robots and shining cogs. It’s a marvel to behold, with the animators putting an impressive level of detail into these environments while also choreographing magnificent action scenes. Bass X Machina‘s biggest strength is that no aspect of the visual or narrative storytelling has been left unattended. Whereas some shows are set in an alternative future simply to look pretty, Netflix’s new animated series uses its fantastical past to drive conversation about real-world issues.

Brian Tyree Henry Leads a Terrific Voice Cast in ‘Bass X Machina’

Henry, who also executive produces the show, is a delight as Bass X Machina‘s narrative anchor. With a deep, booming tone to his delivery, it’s easy to imagine the fear an outlaw may feel when Bass comes looking to collect his bounty. Like Joel in The Last of Us or Kratos in the upcoming God of War, Bass Reeves is the earthy, world-weary veteran who must guide a wide-eyed youngster through a violent world, and Henry’s performance allows the character to be both fearsome with his foes and vulnerable with his allies.

Gabrielle, best known for her roles in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, You, and The Last of Us, shakes things up as Dana, a young and ambitious engineer who believes in doing the right thing. She asks difficult questions of Bass, creating a mentor-mentee dynamic between them despite his best efforts to stop her tagging along. She’s the brains of the duo, riding alongside Bass’ steed on a motorized scooter, and tries to help with gadgets that don’t always work. Dana’s naivety is what gives the show a lot of its humor, as well as its heart.

Some excellent vocal performances amplify the duo’s journey, particularly former Twilight star Chaske Spencer as Lighthorse, a Native American sheriff and old friend of Bass who is after the same bounty. Janelle Monáe has some moving scenes as Bass’s wife Glory, and also performs the show’s memorable theme song, “HONOR KiLLING.”

Bass X Machina offers a hint of more adventures to come, but only after bringing its story to a satisfying conclusion. That’s probably a wise move, given Netflix’s history of canceling beloved shows after a very limited run. Based on this first season, more Bass Reeves adventures would be most welcome, as the show is a great example of what’s possible within the medium of animation.

Bass X Machina is now streaming on Netflix.

Release Date

November 3, 2026

Network

Netflix

Writers

Chad Handley

Pros & Cons

• A moving story that blends fantasy with history.
• Incredible animation and action scenes.
• Brian Tyree Henry and Tati Gabrielle make a great team.

• The plot drags slightly in the middle episodes.