Godless Earned 83% on Rotten Tomatoes — But Still Flew Under the Radar
Netflix’s Hidden Western Gem
When it comes to Westerns, Netflix isn’t usually the first platform that comes to mind. While Yellowstone has dominated the genre on television, one of Netflix’s best projects quietly slipped under the radar. That series is Godless — a gripping seven-part miniseries starring Jeff Daniels that critics praised but audiences largely overlooked.
Despite earning an impressive 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Godless never achieved mainstream success. Yet it has everything a Western fan could want: gritty storytelling, dark themes, brutal showdowns, and characters who blur the line between hero and villain.
A Story of Survival and Violence
Created by Scott Frank, Godless takes viewers back to 1884 in the small New Mexico town of La Belle. The peace of the town is shattered when Roy Goode, a former outlaw on the run from his ruthless mentor Frank Griffin, seeks refuge with a widowed rancher named Alice Fletcher.
From there, the series unravels into a tense battle of survival. Goode’s struggle to escape his past collides with the town’s fight for its future, creating a narrative filled with bloody confrontations and moral dilemmas. Like the best Westerns, Godless doesn’t shy away from violence, but it grounds its brutality in character-driven storytelling.
Why Godless Stands Out
What makes Godless different from other Westerns is its female-driven perspective. After a mining explosion kills 83 men, the women of La Belle are left to run the town themselves. This shift allows the show to explore a side of the Old West rarely seen on screen — one where women take charge in the face of hardship, loss, and danger.
The female-led storytelling doesn’t make the series any less intense. If anything, it raises the stakes. Characters like Alice Fletcher and Mary Agnes McNue emerge as leaders in their own right, proving that survival in the West required grit from everyone, not just gunslinging men.
This narrative choice gives Godless a unique identity. It honors Western traditions while offering something fresh — a story that highlights resilience, leadership, and community through women’s experiences.
A Critical Darling, But Overlooked
Although Godless was praised for its performances, atmosphere, and bold approach, it never reached the level of success of Yellowstone or other modern Westerns. Many viewers simply didn’t know it existed.
Yet, those who have discovered it argue it deserves far more recognition. Jeff Daniels delivers a chilling turn as Frank Griffin, balancing menace with complexity. Jack O’Connell brings humanity to Roy Goode, an antihero audiences can’t help but root for. And the women of La Belle elevate the story beyond genre tropes, giving the show depth and heart.
Why You Should Watch Godless Now
For Western fans, Godless is everything the genre promises: gunfights, moral ambiguity, sweeping landscapes, and battles for survival. But it also goes beyond tradition, weaving in layered characters and storylines that keep viewers hooked.
Netflix may not be known for Westerns, but Godless proves it can deliver one of the best. If you’re searching for a show that combines gritty action with meaningful storytelling, this miniseries is worth adding to your watchlist.
With only seven episodes, it’s a quick but unforgettable ride — and one that cements Godless as Netflix’s most underrated Western masterpiece.