Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind the acclaimed series “Yellowstone,” is undeniably one of Hollywood’s most influential figures today. His creative prowess has given rise to a sprawling TV empire, branching out into notable spinoffs and other successful series like “Tulsa King,” “Lioness,” and “Landman.” However, what many may not know is that Sheridan’s journey behind the camera began with a film that has largely faded from memory—a horror movie titled “Vile,” released back in 2012.
This ultra-low-budget project, nestled within the “torture porn” sub-genre that gained traction in the early 2000s, particularly due to the massive success of the “Saw” franchise, has not exactly carved a place in cinematic history. For those unfamiliar with “Vile,” it is often regarded as an underwhelming entry in Sheridan’s filmography. During a 2017 interview, he candidly commented on “Vile” while promoting his well-received thriller “Wind River,” which many consider to be his true directorial debut.
Sheridan recounted a friend’s call for assistance on the project, stating, “He was going to direct it and produce it, and he started and freaked out, and called and said, ‘Can you help me?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll try.'” The plot of “Vile” involves a group of strangers trapped in a mysterious house, who learn from a video that freedom comes with a painful price. The film’s premise is reminiscent of “Saw,” as well as other contemporaneous horror flicks like “Hostel” and “The Collector.”
Though “Vile” has earned a reputation as Sheridan’s least favorable work, it does not accurately reflect his later talents as a filmmaker. In his interview, Sheridan humbly described his involvement as more of a supportive role than that of a director. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the experience provided valuable lessons that would later benefit him in projects like “Wind River.”
Even so, horror films often manage to retain a semblance of life, regardless of their initial reception. Over the years, “Vile” has found some footing, even earning a Blu-ray release available on platforms like Amazon. While a physical release is a modest achievement in the current market, it highlights the niche audience such films can attract. The association with a prominent filmmaker like Sheridan undoubtedly lends some visibility, not unlike how movies such as “Duel,” which marked Steven Spielberg’s directorial debut, continued to resonate in public discourse.
In retrospect, “Vile” serves as an interesting footnote in Sheridan’s directing journey. It is currently available for streaming on Tubi, reminding us that even the most obscure films can echo through time, particularly when a significant name is attached to them.
