Liam Neeson’s comedic film, A Million Ways to Die in the West, is set to leave Netflix at the beginning of October, marking the end of its availability for subscribers. The movie, a Western parody directed and written by Seth MacFarlane and featuring Neeson alongside Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried, is part of a growing list of notable titles being removed from the streaming platform.
Plot Overview of ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West‘
The story centers on Albert Stark, a mild-mannered sheep farmer portrayed by Seth MacFarlane, who feels the dangers of the Western frontier pressing in on him. Following the loss of his girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) to the town’s most successful businessman, Albert’s fortunes shift when a skilled, gun-wielding woman named Anna (Charlize Theron) arrives. Anna helps Albert discover courage within himself, but his newfound bravery faces a critical test when Anna’s outlaw husband shows up with deadly intentions.
“Mild-mannered sheep farmer Albert Stark (MacFarlane) feels certain that the Western frontier is trying to kill him, then he loses his girlfriend, Louise (Amanda Seyfried), to the town’s most successful businessman. However, a beautiful, pistol-packing woman named Anna (Charlize Theron) rides into town and helps Albert find his inner courage. Then Stark must put his newfound bravery to the test when Anna’s outlaw husband arrives with plans to plant him in an unmarked grave.”
—Seth MacFarlane
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Despite a prominent cast and the comedic reputation of Seth MacFarlane, A Million Ways to Die in the West struggled to win over critics and viewers alike. The film’s reception was underwhelming, reflected in a 33% critic score and a 41% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider’s Matt Goldberg offered a nuanced critique, pointing out the film’s humor but noting a lack of depth in its characters.
“MacFarlane can be incisive with his humor when he wants to be, but his main character should need more than the love of a good woman. A Million Ways to Die in the West had me laughing, but MacFarlane is never willing to laugh at himself.”
—Matt Goldberg, Collider
The movie’s disappointing box office performance mirrored its critical challenges, although Neeson’s comic timing was noted elsewhere on screen with other recent projects.
Liam Neeson’s Ongoing Role in Comedy
While A Million Ways to Die in the West departs Netflix, Liam Neeson continues to entertain audiences through different comedic roles. Recently, he attracted praise for starring alongside Pamela Anderson in the reboot of the classic comedy The Naked Gun, where Neeson steps into Leslie Nielsen’s iconic shoes. Critics, including Collider’s Aidan Kelley, celebrated the film’s strong performances and sharp writing, highlighting Neeson’s ability to deliver laughs effectively.
“[The film] has great performances across the board, is sharply directed and written, and above all else, is just damn funny.”
—Aidan Kelley, Collider
Implications of the Film’s Removal from Streaming
The removal of A Million Ways to Die in the West aligns with a broader shift in streaming content, as Netflix and other platforms regularly update their libraries. The film joins a list of other well-known titles set to be unavailable soon, including Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne’s Neighbors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon’s The Departed, and George Lucas’s American Graffiti. For subscribers who have not yet viewed MacFarlane’s Western spoof, time is limited to experience the film while it remains accessible.
This transition highlights the evolving nature of digital streaming rights and the challenges of maintaining consistent access to popular films. As Netflix continues to refine its offerings, fans of Liam Neeson’s work and Western comedies may need to explore alternative viewing options to find this particular movie in the future.
