American Primeval Review – A Fierce Bloodbath

Peter Berg is masterful at storytelling on the small screen with Friday Night Lights and on the big screen with Lone Survivor. He returns behind the directors’ chair, teaming with writer Mark L. Smith to deliver the first big series of the new year on Netflix, American Primeval. The six-episode limited series sees Berg re-team with Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch, who stars alongside Betty Gilpin and Dane DeHaan. 

American Primeval Review

American Primeval is a daunting factionalized look at 1857 and the cultural warfare over the fight for freedom and land. The battles turn ugly, the war turns violent, and the struggle for survival has never been more dire. 

“There’s no such thing as safe in this world.”

Peter Berg makes viewers feel that quote from the opening scene with every fiber of our being. This is a ruthless world that is violent, audacious, and cutthroat (literally). The sheer intensity within the pilot episode grabs ahold of you and never looks back.

The battle over land is a tale as old as time and has been explored through many movies, TV series, and documentaries. Berg and Smith set themselves apart by not being afraid of showing the ruthless and violent nature of how the wars took place. While the show is fictionalized, you sense that the worldbuilding is based on the storied history of our world. I was unbelievably impressed by Berg and Smith’s work to create the magic of American Primeval.

I’ve been waiting for that one role where Taylor Kitsch gets utilized to his full potential. The world knows him as Tim Riggins, and they might always go back to that time. However, from his fantastic performance in Waco to his Critics Choice nominated performance in Painkiller, he has proved to be much more than Tim Riggins. That said, Kitsch delivers the best performance of his career in American Primeval.

Isaac is a lone wolf who strikes when it is needed. We consistently see him attempt to distance himself from Sara and Devin, but he protects them with every move they make. As we follow Isaac through this journey, we unpack a lot about his past, which amplifies his motives. How Kitsch transforms throughout each episode is magnificent. Not only does he carry this emotional burden vividly within his demeanor, but he also has to fight his way with unbelievable fight sequences.

Speaking of the fight sequences, my goodness, they were some of the best hand-to-hand combat sequences I’ve seen in some time. While directed to perfection, the team behind the fight choreography deserves all the credit for making each fight seem realistic. From the small one-on-one battles to the big war sequences, every person played a part in ensuring the authenticity of the wars felt real. I am still in awe of several of the sequences. Also, a big shoutout to the stunt team for their excellent work.

For years, so many shows overstayed their welcome by having too many episodes and being filled with fluff. Of course, we’ve seen a trend with streaming platforms renewing shows for fewer episodes and newer shows not having as many. I love this shift because American Primeval is non-stop madness, and I didn’t feel like they dragged things along for no reason. It was paced and constructed perfectly.

Is American Primeval worth watching?

If American Primeval came out in 2024, it would’ve easily been one of my top ten shows of the year. Peter Berg and Mark L. Smith created the first great TV show of 2025 with their brilliant and audacious look at the battle of the West. I was hooked from the opening sequence, binge-watching this show in one sitting. With the Emmys already in the middle of their voting season, I hope Taylor Kitsch and this ensemble get many nominations. If you need an easy binge this weekend, look no further than American Primeval.

All six episodes of American Primeval are streaming on Netflix.

Written by Ricky Valero

Articles Published: 52

Ricky Valero is based in Nashvile, TN. He has a huge passion for film and tv. He is a proud member of the Critics Choice Association . While not watching movies, he has a huge love for crappy reality dating shows.